Ethics Paper on Abortion

Ethics Paper on Abortion

Introduction

Whether abortion is right or wrong has been an ethical dilemma that has left many without a solid answer. This question can be answered through an ethical decision making which can be guided by theories, concepts and principles that promote ethical behaviour. Abortion is a topic of controversy over the years with some people supporting it while others think it is wrong. There have been countless debates on abortion, leading to some countries legalizing it but still in others holds that it is illegal. The ethical study of abortion seeks to establish the right and the wrong about abortion. Ethical reasoning aims to determine the validity of the fetus rights and those of the mother. The fetus is dependent on the mother; for example, it does not think, or even aware of the self. It means the mother has the right to decide on what to do with the fetus. Abortion is a deep issue and should not be judged since many problems are involved. For example, it is not fair to force someone who has been raped or a person with a complicated pregnancy that puts her life in danger to keep a pregnancy. Therefore I support the notion that abortion should be legalized.

Body

It is unfair to force someone who has been raped to carry a pregnancy to the full term. Instead of the child bringing joy to them, it will always serve to remind them of the ordeal. The disadvantages of having a kid in this manner are more than the advantages. For instance, the mother is already suffering from the ordeal and is traumatized by the experience, for her to nurse the baby she did not invite. Another thing is that the mother was not prepared to have the baby, which means she will be not be prepared for a baby, either emotionally, or materially. The victim might be a working woman and is not ready to leave her career to nurse the baby. It will also be unfair for the baby to grow without a father and a resentful mother. Having the baby will bring more harm to both the mother and the child than it will do them good (Frederico et al. 2018). According to the ethical theory of utilitarianism, the consequences of an action should be considered before making a decision. It considers an action right if it leads to a greater good and less harm for the majority of the people involved (Rich & Butts, 2014). According to the above argument, abortion to a rape victim is for the good of both the mother and the baby.

The deontology theory says that human have the capacity to think and determine the right solution to a problem based on duty. According to deontology theory, the decision made does not consider the outcome (Rich & Butts, 2014). It believes a right choice is right no matter the outcome. It calls for logical thinking when faced with issues that raise an ethical dilemma like abortion. For example, if pregnancy is complicated and poses a danger to the mother, the right decision to make is abortion. In case of such an incidence, a doctor must carry the abortion procedure, and therefore such a mother should not be refused abortion.

Another example is when a child has permanent defects. It is logic to do abortion in such cases because it can lead to birth complications and the burden of raising the child. If the child is born, they may end up suffering for the rest of their lives as a result of the emotional, physical and even psychological issues that surround disabilities (Frederico et al. 2018). Such a child might not be able to live to her full potential. If not checked well, these children may end up committing suicide which is more painful than abortion. Abortion is, therefore, advisable if the life of the mother is in danger and if bringing forth a baby may lead to more complications and unhappy life.

As said earlier, the issue of abortion sparks a different reaction, which may lead to its limitation. For instance, according to bioethical principles, the principle of non-maleficence, it charges against doing the slightest harm (Rich & Butts, 2014). According to science, life begins at conception, and abortion amounts to termination of life. In the profession of nursing, they are required to do no harm, which leads to more dilemma on whether abortion is right or wrong.

Another principle that brings controversy in the matter abortion is the principle of justice. According to this principle, fairness should be maintained by all, especially healthcare professionals like nurses. The principle of justice requires that justice be applied to all (Rich & Butts, 2014). According to this principle, it might be argued that the act of abortion is unfair to the unborn child since it denies them a chance to experience life.

Some people argue that some of these principles are outdated and should be revised. There is a lot of change that has happened to society, and in these times of technology and enlightenment, people should not be tied to such thinking any more. For example, a career woman who is not ready to leave their job to care for a child should not force to do so when they can safely procure an abortion. It may be argued in the earlier days abortion was not safe due to lack of the kind of technology practised today. The principle of non-maleficence charges against doing the slightest harm, allowing a baby with challenging defects to be born, might be causing them more damage.

The nursing profession is guided by a code of ethics, some of which affect the subject of abortion. Example of such codes is, promoting health and wellbeing and encouraging and respecting informed decisions. If procuring an abortion will promote the well-being of the mother, the nurse should consider it (Research gate.net, 2008). Apart from a complicated pregnancy, the wellbeing, in this case, may be psychological and even emotional, especially where a person gets pregnant from a rape case. A nurse may be obliged to let a client procure an abortion if they have made up their mind and not ready to relent.

The issue of abortion does affect not only the health sector but also the legal one. Some of the laws highlighted by the human rights law and access to abortion are the right to life and right to decide the number of children. According to the above reasons, abortion can be procured when the mother’s life is in danger (Human rights law.org, 2017). The right to decide the number of children gives a couple or a mother the freedom to decide on an abortion if they have attained the number or had not prepared for a child as in case rape.

Conclusion

The issue of abortion has attracted a lot of debates over the years, where while some people think it is right others hold that it is wrong. It has led to ethical dilemmas, causing indecisiveness, especially in the healthcare sector. According to ethical debates, it seeks to establish the validity of fetus rights to those of the mother. It determines that the rights of the mother exceed those of a fetus since the fetus cannot reason and is dependent on the mother. The theory of utilitarianismsuggests if a decision leads to the higher food of the majority, it is the right decision. Therefore abortion should be legalized to allow cases like rape, the health of the mother, and in case a person is not ready for a baby since they are already affected psychologically. Some nursing codes of ethics, like respecting client’s decision, also promote abortion. Basing on these and much more that this essay has not covered I would say that abortion should be legalized.

References

Frederico, M., Michielsen, K., Arnaldo, C., & Decat, P. (2018). Factors influencing abortion decision-making processes among young women. International journal of environmental research and public health, 15(2), 329.

Human rights law.org. (2017). is abortion a human rights issue? Retrieved 26 February 2020, from https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/07/24/qa-human-rights-law-and-access-abortion

Research gate.net. (2008). Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses. Research Gate, 21(2), 28-33. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5320117_Code_of_Ethics_for_Registered_Nurses

Rich, K., & Butts, J. B. (2014). Foundations of ethical nursing practice. Role development in professional nursing practice, 105-122.