Ethical Dilemmas Relates To Abortion

Introduction

Ethical issues refer to situations that require an individual or organization to decide on alternatives, and these alternatives must be assessed as unethical or ethical. The terms ethics and morals are used interchangeably but have different meanings. Ethics is a term used to refer to rules that external sources provide to anyone, such as codes of conduct in the working environment. Morals talk about a person’s own standards regarding wrong or right. Ethical behaviour is the act that causes positive effects on society overall. A person can contribute to society by adopting a behaviour of responsible consumption and charity. An individual can participate in society by acting in a friendly, caring and loving. There are various ethical dilemmas that society confronts, but these ethical issues are virtually difficult to solve. One of the ethical dilemmas relates to abortion. There are many views regarding this controversial problem, so it is a challenging task to resolve. There are two groups that provide different arguments for life and freedom relating to abortion.

Medical ethics refers to moral values and principles that physicians should practice in their professional lives. Medical ethics involve promoting ethical guidelines and practices as well as averting ethical breaches. It also comprises medics’ relationships with colleagues, patients, affiliates or related industries. Medical practices should develop such ethical statements that are in the best interest of patients. Doctors must respect the law and the rights of colleagues, patients, and other health professionals. Above all this, a physician must be honed in all professional interactions. These are the same rules that are supposed to be followed by Muslim practitioners. Islamic law requires negligence in any code of conduct, which would lead to going away from the right path. It supports a healthy society by giving life or happiness to other people.

Another issue relates to suicide. There are two arguments relating to this ethical issue. One individual argues that it can be justified to end his life if he cannot confront bitter pain. It will be legal or ethical to attempt suicide that is aided by medical. Furthermore, a person who cannot survive with this life-threatening ache. Another opinion is that some people are unable to share their sentiments with other people and cannot express their feelings to their loved ones. Then, these sad people act like this and attempt suicide. They feel frustrated and angry. They commit suicide to cover their actual feelings of failure¹. It might be possible this person commits suicide due to the absence of resources. Due to a deficiency of resources, some people feel the stress that results in the form of suicide. It is legal for a military person to commit suicide to defend or protect the country.

Discussion

Abortion is one of the ethical dilemmas that means to end with pregnancy. It is the issue regarding abortion that encompasses a continuous battle between life and freedom. There are two groups of people that include pro-life and pro-choice. Pro-choice people relate this issue to freedom. They think it is not justice to hold the rights of the female. It is unethical to make a decision on behalf of women regarding their own bodies2. The pro-life individual thinks through the perspective of life. They defend their point of life by saying it is unethical to kill a life. According to some people, Pro-choice people should have the freedom to hold this right. It is a part of a woman’s body, and these women should have the right to remove the fetus from their body. If women cannot decide on their own figure, then they will be deprived of this right.

Pro-life believers consider the right to life to be more important to implement than the right to regulate their own body parts. They give arguments that women do not feel liberal due to abortion. However, it is shown that society is unable to meet and cater for the requirements of women. They argue that women who want equality are not permitted to abortion. But it is given what they want to endure financially as well as socially, especially as moms. Furthermore, they argue that the fetus is not a portion of the body like lungs, kidneys, and liver. A fetus is a separate individual that remains inside the womb. There are other views regarding abortion apart from the arguments of Pro-life. It is contrary to the feminist code of non-discrimination, non-violence and justice. Another argument relates to this issue by considering it a men’s plot. They consider male get the danger of the prenatal period as something that prevents them from having sexual characteristics when they need it. If male enjoys the full freedom of sexuality, then it is necessary that abortion be liberally accessible as backup contraception.

Abortion Act 1967 permits abortion in Wales, England and Scotland. According to section 1 of the Abortion Act in Wales, England and Scotland, An individual shall not be embarrassed and ashamed under this act concerning abortion when a prenatal period is ended by a listed medical practitioner. But the conditions for abortion are as follows. It includes the prenatal period that has not surpassed the twenty-fourth week as well, as it may involve the risk of continuing the pregnancy period4. Cessation of the prenatal period is essential to stop severe permanent injury to the mental or physical health of pregnant females. There would be a case where there is a greater danger of continuing pregnancy, especially to the life of the pregnant woman. There might be a risk if the baby were born to be extremely handicapped. The baby would undergo such mental or physical abnormalities. Most doctors suggest that it is always more risky to the bodily welfare of a female to continue the prenatal period than to attempt an abortion.

It is a state where people are allowed to go for an abortion rather than continue the pregnancy. Furthermore, there is no need for the opinion of a second doctor practitioner if one doctor gives the view in good faith. It is necessary to terminate the pregnancy to save the pregnant female from a severe injury to her mental or physical health as well as to protect her life. It will be less risky to terminate a pregnancy in an early period as it will be less traumatic for all complications. The Act of 1967 entails the names of two listed doctor practitioners, and all the conditions of the act, including the option of doctors, will be listed on the form. It is not a legal doctor to personally examine a woman who wants an abortion. In 1981, the law court confirmed that a doctor practitioner does not need to execute every single stage of the whole process. He can collect information and details of the process from team members. Abortion is a process where a doctor practitioner works with multi-disciplinary team members. A doctor must ensure all the terms and conditions relating to abortion are met with the requirements of the Abortion Act. There is no law concerning abortion in Northern Ireland³. It is still considered an offence under the Act 1861 that is offences counter to the person. It is a law that considers it an offence to get a miscarriage illegally. After a long process, abortion is legal only where it is essential to save the life of the woman. It will be lawful when there is a danger to the mental or physical health of a pregnant female, and continuing the pregnancy may cause a severe hostile impact on the pregnant woman.

Regardless of all these laws and regulations, women have the choice to make a decision on abortion. Doctor practitioners can contribute to this issue by counselling her. Otherwise, pregnant women have alternative solutions regarding this matter. If she feels unhappy about having a baby and does not want to take care of this child, then she can think about abortion. A child also needs some extra attention and love of a mother. If the mother is unable to give attention to her baby, then it might be problematic for a child in the end.

Conclusion

Abortion is legal or lawful if it meets the criteria of the Abortion Act in Wales, England and Scotland. In Northern Ireland, it is legal under some conditions. Furthermore, It is unethical to terminate the pregnancy of a female if there is some sort of risk to her mental or physical health. There will be no problem if the medical practitioner recommends executing the process of abortion. From the perspective of the female, she may take the decision on some basis. Maybe she does not have time to raise a baby. Maybe she needs some emotional support to raise the child. Women should have enough power to make the decision on the issue of abortion. It might be possible that a female does not want to take responsibility for a baby. Some females may not be prepared for pregnancy; consequently, they will decide to go for an abortion. Cases for abortion can be minimized by being aware of young girls. Females must be cautious doing this and must follow safe sex. Otherwise, it is unethical to execute abortion under some laws. Medical practitioners can help out in this situation by providing counselling services to pregnant mothers.

End Notes

1. Reyes, Marc S., et al. “Exploring the link between adolescent anger expression and tendencies for suicide: a brief report.” North American journal of psychology 17.1 (2015): 113.
2. Petchesky, Rosalind P. “Abortion and woman’s choice: the state sexuality and reproductive freedom.” (1984).
3. British Medical Association. The law and ethics of abortion: BMA views. BMA, 1997.
4. Davies, M., English, V., Sheather, J. C., Brannan, S., Campbell, R., & Mussell, R. (2016). Abortion—northern Ireland (ni).