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The Social & Legal Status of Abortion in the United States
1) Humans are inseperably physical & material, creative & spiritual, relational & social, as well as morally free & responsible.
2) It fails to recognize the developmental dimension of human life. We are, in fact, one and the same individual, just at different stages in our natural course of development.
Why do you think women have abortions?
First Trimester
Second and Third Trimester
The Ruling Declares
Roe vs. Wade (1973)
Intersection of Law, Public Policy, Ethics & Abortion
Should and at what point is human life deserving of our protection and respect?
Should a fetus be considered a person?
Should an embryo have the same respect & protections as members of the community?
The idea that a human being is essentially a body inhibited by a mind.
The view holds that the body and the mind are two distinct, independent realities. The body is most closely associated with being human, while the mind is more closely associated with what makes someone a person.
"Cogito Ergo Som" = "I think, therefore I am"
Philosopher Rene' Descartes
Human life is seen as having a basic intrinsic value because people are made in the image and likeness of God.
We have autonomy precisely because we are made in the image and likeness of God.
Viewed theologically- life, the most basic of values, enabling all other values to be pursued.
The view that what is right or wrong is relative to a particular group of people or an individual. No moral truths.
The role of ethics in prescribing what one ought to do to promote human flourishing is limited to the individual or private sphere of life.
The ethical debate of abortion begins with the question:
When should the product of conception be considered a person deserving of moral respect and protection?
Legalization of Abortion
Throughout most of U.S. history abortion has been illegal. As of 1965, abortion at all stages of pregnancy was prohibited by law.
What was the landmark that changed the prohibition of abortion?
The product of conception deserves absolute respect and protection from the time the process of fertilization is complete.
1) Genetically unique human life come into being at the moment the process of fertilization is complete.
2) Science alone cannot answer the philosophical question of when personhood begins but can only confirm the biologicalpoint at which human life begins.
3) Regardless of whether the embryo is a person, it is a grave sin to disrupt the biological process of human developmen once started.
From the perspective of our normative basis, the question of personhood is not the only, or even the main question regarding abortion. Rather four other questions:
In the clinical context, the ethical questions related to the termination of pregnancy are especially difficult when we acknowledge the reality of the sanctity and dignity of human life and the fact that we are already a community with early human life.
Conclusion
#1 Legal & Ethical Debate Surrounding Abortion
In The United States
Christi is 22 weeks pregnant and has been diagnosed with sever preeclampsia (very high blood pressure induced by pregnancy) which has not improved with antihypertensive medications and in-hospital bed rest. The ob-gyn overseeing Christi's care is very concerned about her condition and thinks the best option is to induce delivery immediately, despite the lethal consequences for the baby. She knows, though, that despite the considerable risks to Christi, they could take the chance and forestall delivery a little longer to give the baby an opportunity to live. After discussing this with Christi, they both agree that the risks to Christi are too great and the outcome for the baby is uncertain to wait any longer: thus, Christi is scheduled for an immediate induction.
An 18-year-old female is admitted to the ER with preterm labor. Ultrasound reveals that she is 32 weeks pregnant. The emergency physician immediately initiates drugs to stop the contractions and stall labor for a time. The physician also administers coticosteroids to strengthen the baby's lungs in the event that the baby is delivered early. The ob-gyn on call is consulted and requests that the woman be brought to the labor and delivery unit. After reviewing the girl's ultrasound, the ob-gyn notes that the baby is in breech position, which means that a C-section will most likely be required. The girl's labor continues to progress, and fetal monitoring shows that the baby is experiencing fetal distress. The ob-gyn informs the girl that an emergency C-section will have to be done to save the baby. The girl, however, states that she "does not want to be cut into" and refuses to give her consent for the procedure. The ob-gyn insists it must be done and the girls grandmother, who has been with her since entering the ER, intervenes and says, "My granddaughter has made her wishes known." Furious, the ob-gyn points out that, "the baby will die or be severely impaired if a C-section is not done immediately." The grandmother does not give in, however, and says that "God will do with the baby what he wills," and that if anything is done against her granddaughter's wishes, she will bring suit against the ob-gyn and the hospital. A staff nurse concerned about the situation calls for an ethics consult.
Stacey , who is 41 years old and 15 weeks pregnant, has just been told her fetus has a condition known as anencephaly, in which the "higher" brain fails to develop. The baby will never be conscious and never e able to think or talk. It has a brain stem, though, which controls bodily functions, such as breathing, heartbeat, and sucking reflexes. The doctor says that if the baby is carried to term it will die within a week of being born, if not sooner. The condition poses no serious threat to Stacey's health, but the physician suggests to Stacey that it might be better to terminate the pregnancy instead of carrying to term due to the psychological burden of knowing that her baby will die shortly after being born. Some of the nurses object, arguing that the fetus should be given a chance to live as long as possible, while others think the decision ought to be Stacey's alone insofar as the baby is going to die anyway.
In tragic circumstances of maternal-fetal conflict in which the life of the mother, fetus, or both is threatened we cant rely on principles alone. Virtue and prudence is almost, always necessary to help us decide what the most loving response is regarding the circumstances.