Introduction
This argumentative paper seeks to discuss whether it is ethical to procure abortion based on genetic disability. There are several arguments put forward by different people supporting abortion and others against the act. While this paper is not going to focus on the legality of abortion or lack of it, it is crucial to note from the outset that the author opposes the act and has internalized that it is illegitimate.
The most important question, which people from either side grapple with is whether abortion is acceptable. The author takes a stand that abortion is not justified whatsoever. This is because the aborted foetus is a life, whose termination amounts to killing. In addition, the bible is against termination of life and process normally presents long-term wellbeing challenges to people.
The author also recognizes the views in support of abortion such as foetus only become alive at birth. Additional views are that the bible has not explicitly outlawed termination of life and that bringing forth such a baby may present undesirable effects in future.
Much as the views in support of aborting developing foetus suspected of genetic disability may be compelling, the author argues that, the act is unjustifiable because foetus is a life with a heartbeat, capable of movement, and that there are options of allowing other people to adopt such children. Finally, the paper will provide a conclusion summarizing the key discussion points.
Determination of Disability in Unborn Babies
Sophistication in the medical field presently makes it possible to detect anomalies in unborn babies. Pregnant women normally undergo routine prenatal care. The activities completed during prenatal care include widespread screening, which may detect presence of genetically initiated disabilities on the unborn baby (Johnstone 89).
This normally leads to the birth of a child who will live with disability for the rest of his or her life. Some Individuals take advantage of such results to offer persuasive reasoning why such unborn babies cannot live.
Is abortion ever justified even based on genetic disability?
The proponents of abortion argue that a foetus cannot be not a live until their birth thus removing them does not amount to killing. They have also suggested that the bible does not explicitly express God’s disapproval of abortion and that having the baby could lead to bad effects such as life with disability and stress to the family (Johnston 41).
They suggest that getting abortion is not about discrimination the disabled community but that potential mothers enjoy independence to abort if they are not prepared to bear and nurture a disabled baby (Johnstone 89). In fact, they justify their reasoning by suggesting that presuming the right of a foetus counteracts a woman’s independence and rights, which extremely ill mannered.
However, even with all the persuasive and convincing arguments the question would be, is abortion really justified on these grounds? As a response to this disturbing question the answer is no because abortion is simply unacceptable (Shafer-Landau 440). Procuring abortion because of anticipated disability predicaments is like sanctioning eugenics.
The reasons why abortion cannot be justifiable even in these cases supersede all other arguments. The unborn foetus is a life whose termination amounts to killing and a murder (Shafer-Landau 442). Furthermore, the bible, which is humanity’s supreme law, forbids killing and that only God has the powers to create and take away life (Johnston 41). Therefore, anyone acting on the contrary negates God’s law.
Thirdly, abortion causes massive body and psychological challenges among potential mothers (Shafer-Landau 442). The after – effects of the procedure give women dreadful nightmares of babies calling them and of bloody children crying for them. They also suffer terrible psychological pain, develop feelings of worthlessness, and victimized for rejecting motherly roles (Orshan 28).
Reply to Objections
These reasoning’s are unbelievable and appears farfetched because they lack clear thoughts. The suggestion that unborn babies are not alive is amazing. This is because the foetus begins to indicate that they are alive once they are well formed. The unborn babies are capable of heartbeats and physiological processes (Shafer-Landau 446).
Indeed, pregnant women have reported movement of the babies moving in their womb and this is the cornerstone of prenatal care. It is unimaginable that some individuals prefer termination of pregnancies because of genetic testing. This procedure devalues the sanctity of life of the disabled babies (Shafer-Landau 446).
Furthermore, supporters of abortion based on genetic challenges must stop implying that disabled people are inferior to normal people. The unappreciative group should be aware that there is no difference between a child born with disability and individuals acquiring disability later in life (Shafer-Landau 446). Individuals who support abortion are also highly influenced by their interpretation of life particularly where it begins. Most importantly, the pregnant mothers carrying disabled unborn babies should give birth and seek adoption services for them.
Conclusion
This argumentative paper has strongly opposed inducing abortion based on predicted disability. It has recognized that proponents of abortion present compelling arguments about termination of pregnancy in similar situations. However, much as the proponents views are persuasive, this paper remains resolute that abortion is unjustifiable and it has gone ahead to discuss the reasons for taking that stance.
These include the fact that a foetus becomes a life when the fertilized egg enters its trimester. The bible also prohibits abortion and termination of life arguing that God has the power to sanctify life. Lastly, abortion has terrible body and psychological impacts on the potential mothers who choose to terminate their pregnancies.
Works Cited
Johnston, George. Abortion from the Religious and Moral Perspective: An Annotated Bibliography. Westport, Conn: Praeger Pub, 2003. Print.
Johnstone, David. An Introduction to Disability Studies. New York, NY: Routledge, 2012. Print.
Orshan, Susan. Maternity, Newborn, and Women’s Health Nursing: Comprehensive Care Across the Lifespan. Pennsylvania, PA: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008. Print.
Shafer-Landau, Russ. Ethical Theory: An Anthology. Massachusetts, MA: Blackwell, 2007. Print.