Introduction
The ethical issue of pro-abortion has raised deep concerns owing to the need for holding lives with sanctity and integrity. There has been myriad of reported cases of failure to uphold the integrity of the unborn and the possible health related problems that would affect a mother’s health especially in the event of unsuccessful abortion. It is also notable that scholars have been highly divided on the issue of pro abortion taking into consideration that there are certain laws that do not allow termination of life or provision of life threatening healthcare services. This paper largely focuses on the view that although some practices engaged by the doctors may result into risky outcomes, it is not logical correct for abortion to be allowed in the field of medical practice. In order to build up on this argument, this paper will attempt to answer quite a number of questions such as how effective can pro abortion be adhered to by the medics? What are the possibilities of its practice by the medical practitioners? How ethical and acceptable is this legislation in real life application? Finally, the paper provides an intrinsic discussion of this viewpoint using a case from the movie the cider house rules to cite the existing ethical issues which pro abortion brings into healthcare.
The movie-the cider house rules
The drama film the cider house rules was produced in 1999 by Lasse Hallstrom (Steinbock, 2011). It focuses on relationships between parents and children and addresses major issues related to incest and abortion. The movie forms its foundation on a book the cider house rules by John Irvin. The cast in the movie include Homer Wells, Hazel, Vemon, Nurse Angela, Peaches, Rose Rose, Arthur Rose and Doctor Wilbur Larch among others. The plot of the movie focuses on Homer Wells, the protagonist who despite having a humble beginning living with two different foster parents, obtains apprentice training as an abortionist in obstetrics. Later in his life, he leaves the orphanage to work in Worthington estate where he meets Arthur Rose and his team. Unfortunately Arthur Rose impregnates his own daughter Rose, an act that is considered a taboo in that community as well as a terrible crime that puts the health of the young girl at risk. When approached for help, Homer Wells feels obligated to perform an abortion to solve the problems that would arise should the pregnancy be allowed to proceed.
Pro abortion and ethical issues
Acting morally and upholding professional ethics in nursing as exemplified by ethical theorists remain central in building a cohesive society and anchoring local and international development. Though classical theorists remain in agreement that professionals in healthcare always act ethically, they strongly differ in their underlying tenets of ethics. The ability to effectively articulate high levels of professional ethics in healthcare is the key determinant of its capacity to trace its missions, achieve its visions, and establish the best cultures that anchor high levels of productivity. Professional ethics based on ethical theories and principles in organizations dictate the manner in which internal and external relations are employed and coordinated. In his view, Hibbs (2010) indicates that majority of organizations globally fail to achieve their maximal potential due to scouring implications of poor ethics determined by circumstances in their environment. In particular, Hibbs emphasizes that the driving force towards achieving the highest good is critical at all levels. Though some healthcare managers indicate that indeed they appreciate the critically of employing professional ethics, Bottum (2009) indicates that majority of them are indeed unsure of the extent to which they should apply it.
Treating human beings as means and not the ends
One of the greatest contributions of Emanuel Kant in his theory of perception as noted by Steinbock (2011) is his principle of considering human beings as important ends and not means. Through this argument, Emanuel Kant strongly differed and deviated from utilitarianism proponents who are only interested by the end results. At any time, an individual’s actions should not only be focused on the expected results, but also the manner and effects it would have in achieving the best possible results. At this point, as Dennis, Blanchard and Córdova (2011) argued, actions must be based on correct motives that ultimately translate into the consideration of treating others as expected. Correct actions in nursing and healthcare provision must therefore be guided by values that make the accruing goodness of resulting end see the means to be right. As reflected in the movie, the action by Homer Wells reflects the principle that requires an individual to be capable of determining the correct means in achieving the expected good.
According to this principle, abortion is a wrong action because it fails to consider all people as useful ends. Laufer-Ukeles (2011) posits that first the integrity of the unborn is not upheld because he or she is denied a chance to live. Second, the mother’s health could be in danger and her reproductive system could be harmed. However, pro abortion could be considered the morally correct action when life of the mother is in danger. The underlying intension is to save life and uphold her integrity. In addition, the involved doctor (conducting the abortion) should only embark on the action when convinced that the abortion is designed to reduce possible harm to the mother and not to unnecessarily kill the unborn.
The religious and ethical underpinning of pro abortion
While the religious emphasis of life’s sacredness has increasingly been pushed aside in the debate on pro abortion, it is no doubt that it presents a strong case that is worth considering. Many analysts agree that life in is sacred and termination should not be considered an option. While the notion of human’s life sacredness has often been countered with cases when a mother’s life is in danger, the book of genesis indicates that life is God given and only him who can terminate it (Steinbock, 2011). Treatment for mothers in danger with medical care that could result to not threatening the unborn child’s life should therefore be seen as part of the quest to promote their well being as opposed to a possible indicator of ending a life.
As a matter of fact, legalizing abortion is not only misguiding, but morally wrong due to the fact that it creates the sense of a possible option for both the doctors and patients to terminate life. The bible indicates that any form of killing shall be judged by the ten commandments of the Old Testament that denounces it completely. Analysts acknowledge the widespread support of this legislation by the people to represent their distancing with it.
Possibility of external influence in the termination consideration
Steinbock (2011) argues that the nature of society we live in should strongly be factored when making conclusions on whether to support pro abortion in medical practice or not. At all levels of the society, scholars agree that people irrespective of the professions are easily obstructed from positively viewing their immediate problems. This consideration is especially evident when it relates to pregnancy accompanied with great health dangers to a mother. While administration of effective healthcare and medication which at times becomes lethal if done purely on the need to promote the well being of the pregnant mother, pro abortion has the potential to gather external influences. Such influences may be political or may also be influenced by families especially in cases where the mother is mentally disturbed, in critical health, in tender age or still pursuing education.
Poor capacity of the patient to make the correct decision for their termination
Pregnant mothers or patients in critical conditions lack the necessary capacity to make informed decisions regarding termination of their pregnancies. Though life-prolonging medical treatment and life-threatening doses of painkillers are administered in the best interest of the patient, great pain may result into option for abortion without critical analysis of terminal consideration for their illnesses (Steinbock, 2011). As a result, such decisions are only assimilated from orders of a competent body. In such cases, medical professionals conclude that abortion is more ethical in that though the unborn child would not continue living, the mother’s health would be restored and thus provide her a chance to pursue her desire to get another child when in good health.
Joyce (2011) indicates that it is the role of the medical practitioners to bring their patients into understanding of what they are going through and the expected repercussions of an abortion. Pro abortion must therefore not be considered as an immediate solution to patients’ illnesses. However, search for better methods and technology to address it should be emphasized. Due to the lengthy procedures that search for different medications take, it is critical that the related considerations invoke greater cooperation between the medical practitioners.
Conclusions
In summing up, it is imperative to mention that the debate on proposed laws governing abortion is far from being over. While there are two opposing camps with divergent viewpoints on abortion, it is also worth noting that the practice has been condemned from various quarters. It is from the above consideration that this paper concludes by supporting the thesis statement that “owing to the need for holding lives with sanctity and integrity, the ethical issue of pro-abortion has raised deep concerns due to its failure to uphold the integrity of the unborn and the possible health related problems that would affect a mother’s health’. Observing correct professional codes of ethics in healthcare remain critical especially on the issue of pro abortion. Acting ethically in providing health care as exemplified by ethical theorists is central in ensuring that the sanctity of life is upheld as already discussed in the paper. In addition, high levels of professional ethics should be employed in an open mode to generate the much needed harmony and consideration for the health of a mother and an unborn child.
References
Bottum, J. (2009). I measure every grief I meet. First Things, (192), 24-25.
Dennis, A., Blanchard, K., & CĂłrdova, D. (2011). Strategies for securing funding for abortion under the hyde amendment: a multistate study of abortion providers’ experiences managing medicaid. American Journal of Public Health, 101(11), 2124-2129
Hibbs, T. (2010). Ralph McInerny (1929-2010). First Things, (202), 18-19.
Joyce, T. (2011). The supply-side economics of abortion. The New England Journal of Medicine, 365(16), 1466-1469.
Laufer-Ukeles, P. (2011). Reproductive choices and informed consent: fetal interests, women’s identity, and relational autonomy. American Journal of Law and Medicine, 37(4), 567-623.
Steinbock, B. (2011). Fetal sentience and women’s rights. The Hastings Center Report, 41(6), 49.