GRSJ224/Ethics and Morality of Abortion

Overview

Perhaps one of the most controversial issues we currently have, abortion induces a divide between pro-choice and pro-life movements. The fact that the deliberate removal of a human fetus is an option derives many ethical and moral debates in regards to the rights or wrongs of the action. Different people will believe different justifications, but it is essentially a moral issue concerning the life of the prospective child. A common misconception is assuming that all intentional terminations are the same; factors such as the mother's health or unintentional pregnancies are not taken into account.

Movements

Pro-Choice

Pro-choice or abortion-rights movements exercise the right of a woman to terminate the pregnancy. However, this does not mean pro-abortion. Pro-choice supporters believe abortion is a moral right given the appropriate circumstances. Abortion should not be decided by politics and instead by the mother and possibly the father. Ultimately, the main focuses are reducing abortions altogether by preventing unwanted pregnancies and respecting women's human rights.

Pro-Life

Also referred to as the anti-abortion movement, pro-life supporters are against the practices of abortion and favour a philosophy opposing all forms of killing. All life is important and valuable, so any termination of an innocent being is viewed as a wrong doing. Because a fetus is biologically human, and given that basis, abortion would be killing the innocent human being which would soon develop into what we would recognize as a human being.

Ethical Issues

The Consideration of a Fetus' Right to Life

One thing both parties can probably agree on is a fetus is biologically and genetically human. But where their views differ is whether or when the fetus becomes a human "person" as to a human "being". "There is no scientific consensus as to where human life begins. It is a matter of philosophic opinion or religious belief." According to Mary Warren, "characteristics that entitle an entity to be considered a human "person"" would include:

• Consciousness
• Self-awareness
• Reasoning
• Self-motivated activity
• Capacity to communicate

Thus if a being of life does not exhibit any, or in some cases even one of the criteria, it is not of a human person. In this manner, a fetus would not resemble a person by any means or at any stage of the pregnancy - ultimately stating it does not have a significant right to life. Contrary, the fetus is life itself, and some will argue it has to potential of becoming that human "person".

Forcing a Woman to Carry a Pregnancy to Term and Unwanted Pregnancies

If an anti-abortion law prevails, is it ethical to force the pregnancy to occur? Not permitting a woman with choice in a democratic location models an unjustifiable restriction on her freedom. Alongside that, she will be the vessel for the entire term preventing various activities. Even when the child is born, would that be fair for the child itself? Forcing the birth of an unwanted child who cannot be cared for, just to punish it's mother is definitely immoral and unethical. The child would also most likely be given up for adoption and may be forced to live an abnormal life.

Unwanted pregnancies are also another issue. If the child was conceived due to rape the pregnancy was not intentional and most mothers will see the child as a reminder of the atrocious event. Uneducated parties not knowing sexual intercourse causes pregnancy also exist. In these cases, abortion would seemingly be valid, but there are still those who say otherwise.

Endangerment of the Mother or Cases Where the Child Will Not be 'Normal'

When the mother's life or health is endangered due to the pregnancy, it should be the priority to preserve that first. Even if we view the fetus having some right to life, the rights of an actual person should always outweigh the rights of a potential person. Given that, the prospective child's well being should also be considered. If the mother must and is currently undergoing treatment that could affect the fetus such as chemotherapy, an abortion may be the more ethical decision.

Similarly, if the child is genetically tested and resulted positive in mutations of chromosomes, yet another ethical issue arises. Is it ethical to abort a child that will suffer from mental or physical abnormalities which will largely affect it's quality of life? Pro-choicers would argue it would be the choice of the parents to keep or terminate the pregnancy - depending if they could deal with the stress and responsibilities. Pro-lifers would definitely side to have the pregnancy ensue, as it is obviously still a form of life.

The Middle Ground

A general guideline of morality that could be applied to the abortion, is to look at the timeline of the development of the fetus. An earlier termination will always be more righteous than a delayed one. As the embryo progresses, the more it will become mature and resemble a human form. Philosophers argue that when the point a human identity is realized, a deliberate removal should not be permissible. This concept of individuation approaches a moral standard if abortion is absolutely required.

Building upon the guideline, special cases including an unwanted pregnancy or the health of the mother being affected needs to be examined thoroughly. What is ethical or moral is subjective; the lone opinion of the mother should not be considered final without the bigger picture of the problem. The dispute of ethics will always be near impossible to reach an agreement satisfying both sides. Thus each scenario must be assessed on its own terms with respect to all parties involved. The more ethical issues that are taken into account, a more moral pronouncement could be made.

References

1. Fieser, J. (2008) "Abortion." http://www.utm.edu/staff/jfieser/class/160/5-abortion.htm
2. Cline A. (2015) "When Does a Fetus Become a Person with Rights?" http://atheism.about.com/od/abortioncontraception/p/PersonhoodFetus.htm
3. http://www.prochoiceactionnetwork-canada.org/abortioninfo/misconce.shtml
4. http://www.prochoiceohio.org/what-is-choice/reproductive-health/pro-choice-beliefs.shtml
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-abortion_movements
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion-rights_movements