Abortion
During the past century abortion has become one of the most debatable subjects of controversy in the Western world. It poses moral, social, and medical dilemmas that involve emotional and legal considerations. It has become one of the most intense and polarizing ethical and philosophical issues. The two defined fields of thought include those who are 'pro-choice' activists and supporters of the 'pro-life' campaign. A variety of ethical arguments have been made on both sides of the abortion issue. However, no consensus has been reached because in the public policy debate both sides have radically opposing views about the status of a fetus. The entire complex issue centers on this very question: Is the fetus a person? On the one hand there are those who argue that it is only a 'potential' human being until it is viable; that it is simply a part of the woman's body and subject to her exclusive control. Thus, any attempt to diminish that control is an unjustified infringement or interference upon a woman's autonomy and rights. On the other end of the spectrum there are those who believe the fetus is a person from the time of conception. Therefore, it is argued that there is a moral obligation to preserve and protect it an
The central claim of the autonomy defense is that ant-abortion policies simply interfere in an impermissible way with the pregnant women's liberty. One is left asking if such a conflict can ever be resolved? One author is of the opinion that "no because those holding 'pro-choice' and 'pro-life' opinions also hold world views that are diametrically opposed" (Costa, 1991; xii). Steffen (1994) outlines a number of necessary and sufficient conditions that characterize 'just abortion'. Much of the coverage on abortion campaigns has been and still is very biased. In conclusion, however, participants in the abortion debate find common ground in the admission that the issue is surrounded by complicated and difficult questions that require more than simplified 'pro-life' or 'pro-choice' rhetoric. Their claim is that "the unborn child and woman should have their lives equally protected under the law, and that physicians should consider both mother and unborn child to be bona fide patients" (Crum and McCormack, 1992; 17). 'Pro-lifers' argue for the right to protect a unique developing human life itself, not necessarily to protect 'potential human life'. Crum and McCormack (1992) outline a number of these assertions. Killing an innocent human being is unethical and in most circumstances unjustified. Therefore killing for convenience is considered morally and legally wrong. Supporters of abortion also maintain that it is permissible in the case where "fetal deformity will (or is likely to) result, because carrying the child to term will cause harm to the psychological health of the mother, which will result in family strains (both emotional and financial), and will result in a low quality of life for the child" (Crum and McCormack, 1992; 21). Here a woman should be permitted to have an abortion if giving birth poses a risk or endangers her life. There are some instances that anti-abortionists find it difficult to oppose abortion. It is referred to as 'euthanasia abortion'-killing the fetus for its own good (Crum and McCormack, 1992; 21). But the counter-argument to this made by firm anti-abortion individuals would be that the "deformed unborn child is not prevented by an abortion; the deformed child is only killed before it can be born" (Crum and McCormack, 1992; 22).
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Acceptance Essays
