Introduction
Pregnancy elimination is one of the most practiced surgical procedures among women in America. Abortion has been controversial over the years, thus resulting in moral and ethical dilemmas in medicine. It is challenging to view abortion as ethical due to the many arguments in favor and against the practice.
The abortion debate can be discussed on moral grounds based on ethical principles like autonomy, beneficence, justice, and respect for life. Religious and cultural differences and differing beliefs about the role of government and the value of human life often heighten the controversy surrounding abortion. It includes certain cases evoking contemplation and discussion, such as human rights, childbirth and death, rumors, and inaccurate knowledge. The ethical dilemma propagated by abortion practice does not justify the criminalization of the process; it should be permitted by all governments to prevent the seeking of unsafe procedures, which lead to mortality.
Abortion
Terminating pregnancy before it matures has been a common trend brought about by medical and social reasons. There are two types, spontaneous and induced abortions, which occur naturally, as in a miscarriage, or physically through medication use. Pro-life advocates argue that the procedure should be criminalized as the fetus has the right to life (Bucholc, 2022).
Pro-choice individuals advocate for the prioritizing of the mother’s life. The fetus may be causing health complications that are dangerous to the mother, hence the need for abortion (Bucholc, 2022). Both arguments prioritize life, thus portraying a controversial situation whereby all are perceived as authentic.
With the criminalization of abortion, some women are forced to undertake unsafe procedures, which can result in death. According to Latt et al. (2019), “Abortion-related maternal deaths are higher in countries with the most restrictive abortion laws” (p. 1). Without easy access to birth control pills, illegalizing and making safe abortion procedures challenging, the process will likely be sourced in dangerous and unsafe settings. About 700 women die from childbirth yearly in America due to some challenges (CDC, 2019). With abortion, lives will likely be preserved as the delivery complication is prevented.
One of the safest medical procedures in the world is medically induced pregnancy termination. A medication abortion (MAB) entails using drugs to induce abortion between the first eleven weeks (Redd et al., 2023). MAB is usually targeted in a quest by state legislatures to criminalize the process. Redd et al. (2023) state that “Patients receive medically inaccurate information about the possibility of reversing an abortion” (p. 202).
The MAB “reversal” laws are regulations advocating for reversing termination processes. It is unlikely that the new policies will be effective since less than 0.005 percent of those seeking abortion services choose to continue the pregnancy (Redd et al., 2023). The solution to this law implementation is seeking additional information from the healthcare provider on its impact (Redd et al., 2023). State agencies must post information about the reversal on their managed websites for credibility.
Ethical Analysis
Autonomy
The controversial presentation of abortion appeals to the ethical principle of autonomy. Respect for autonomy is presented under the laws that govern informed consent. Patients have the right to know all their medical options and make voluntary decisions (Roberti, 2021).
During the first trimester, the fetus is usually tiny; hence, the abortion pill and suction can be applicable (Roberti, 2021). A physician is needed to avoid complications when the pregnancy is in its second trimester. At this stage, the fetus’s body is large and cannot be broken or passed through the suction tubing (Roberti, 2021). All this information must be presented to a woman seeking pregnancy expulsion services.
Beneficence
The principle of beneficence relates to balancing risks and benefits, providing sound decisions, and relieving harm. It goes hand in hand with nonmaleficence, which focuses on avoiding causing harm. The fetus’s brain development begins in the first trimester, thus bringing forth fetal pain perception due to neural pathways (Thill, 2021).
When abortion is practiced, it needs to be done by a professional to avoid certain complications like hemorrhage or infection (Rich & Rapkin, 2022). Beneficence benefits outside of physical health in abortion care include decreased odds of domestic violence and the attainment of economic prosperity (Rich & Rapkin, 2022). Making termination procedures available in medical centers shows respect for the beneficence principle.
Justice
Reproductive justice must be practiced as a human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy. Organizations are advocating for reproductive justice beyond just abortion, contraception, or sex education, but to model a society where women make whatever choices they desire regarding their reproductive health (Dahya, 2019). Social factors such as poverty induce the fetus’s termination and result in the inability to access safe procedures and contraception drugs (WHO, 2021). Abortion is considered a key component of family planning, especially when alternatives like sterilization fail since they are not 100 percent effective (WHO, 2021). Safe abortion must be provided to uphold reproductive justice among women.
Respect for Life
The Catholic Church is one of the many religious communities that champion the notion of pro-choice. During the first and second trimesters, the fetus depends entirely on the mother and cannot survive without her (Rich & Rapkin, 2022). The overdependence gives the woman the right to keep or terminate it. Many states in America have limited exceptions to pregnancy elimination, such as to save the mother’s life, rape, or incest.
In Arizona, the 15-week ban includes exemptions for medical emergencies (ABC News, 2022). If continuing the pregnancy can result in a severe risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a significant bodily function for the pregnant woman, then the right move is to terminate (ABC News, 2022). Pro-life is also worth considering because of the importance of life as deemed by religion and some government laws.
Ethical Dilemmas About Abortion
There is a tremendous stigma surrounding the controversial topic of abortion. With these occurrences and views from both the pro-choice and pro-life, an ethical dilemma is witnessed regarding the appropriate decision-making. Despite restrictive abortion laws and religious thoughts about pregnancy termination, the process is still practiced (Dahya, 2019).
At least three in ten women have an abortion before the age of 45 in America (Medoff, 2013). Most of those seeking this medical procedure are already mothers, accounting for about sixty percent (Medoff, 2013). Nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended, and most are ended through abortion (Medoff, 2013).
The occurrence brings ethical dilemmas on autonomy, beneficence, and justice principles. Some states have restrictive abortion laws but lack appropriate policies for implementation after birth. If a mother has economic challenges and cannot take care of a child, why force her to give birth and the child to suffer? One may ask oneself this question concerning abortion laws.
Abortion is sometimes triggered because of the medical concerns of the fetus. According to Taneja et al. (2017), “While abortions, in general, have always faced social stigmas, the abortion of fetuses with Down’s syndrome, in particular, remains the subject of debate across the globe” (p. 769). A person with this health issue requires special attention regarding social relationships, healthcare, and education, which requires money. In such situations, the ethical principles of autonomy and justice seem to conflict.
The mother has the right to terminate due to the present circumstances, yet eliminating the fetus seems unjust. India has come a long way from criminalizing induced abortions to legalizing them up to only 20 weeks of gestation under unique conditions (Taneja et al., 2017). Pro-advocates need to come out and reassure people of the ability of those with Down syndrome to live a happy life.
Pro-Life Arguments on Abortion
Pro-life advocates for the preservation of life, thus going against abortion. The church fights abortion as a sin (Dahya, 2019). Science outlines that human life begins at conception; hence, any induced termination of the fetus is murder (Wallace, 2019). Just like any human enjoys rights, including the right to life, the fetus is entitled to the same.
Pro-life feminists oppose the process as it is perceived to exploit women (Wallace, 2019). They also argue that abortion hurts, and it is difficult for the victims to accept the reality. It results in prolonged emotional damage, which can lead to depression and suicide (Koralewska & Zielińska, 2021).
Pro-life also believes abortion can lead to the reduction of fertility (Wallace, 2019). Despite being partially true, this can only occur if unsafe methods are used. According to Medoff (2013), “The most anti-abortion policies are also the same states that have significantly lower indicators of infant/child well-being” (p. 158). From this statement, it is accurate to say that the pro-life efforts to protect the fetus’s life end at birth. The infant is championed for, but upon growth, the child’s needs are not catered to by those critiquing abortion.
Conclusion
The topic of abortion continues to be highly divisive and contentious in almost all societies around the world. There are those in support and those against the practice of pregnancy elimination. Other factors, such as religion and government laws, make the issue far more controversial.
The principles of beneficence, autonomy, justice, and respect for life provide a rationale for permitting the process. Still, they are also faced with dilemmas when the pro-life thoughts are integrated. In states with strict abortion laws, exemptions are still made.
Pro-life advocates argue that the procedure is inhuman, causes emotional distress, and can lead to infertility. Since life begins at conception, the fetus should enjoy human rights like any other person. Valuing life means ensuring that it is not put in avoidable danger. The mother’s life needs to be prioritized at all costs in circumstances that lead to the debate between choosing an unborn infant and the mother.
References
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Bucholc, M. (2022). Abortion law and human rights in Poland: The closing of the jurisprudential horizon. Hague Journal on the Rule of Law, 14(2), 73–79. Web.
CDC. (2019). Prevent pregnancy-related deaths. Web.
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Redd, S. K., AbiSamra, R., Blake, S. C., Komro, K. A., Neal, R., Rice, W. S., & Hall, K. S. (2023). Medication abortion “reversal” laws: How unsound science paved the way for dangerous abortion policy. American Journal of Public Health, 113(2), 202–212. Web.
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Roberti, A. (2021). “Women deserve better:” The use of the pro-woman frame in anti-abortion policies in U.S. States. Journal of Women, Politics & Policy, 42(3), 207–224. Web.
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Thill, B. (2021). Fetal pain in the first trimester. The Linacre Quarterly, 89(1), 73–93. Web.
Wallace, D. (2019). Can you be a feminist and pro-life? I think you can | Deanna Wallace | TEDxUAMonticello [Video file]. Web.
WHO. (2021). What’s needed to improve safety and quality of abortion care? Web.