Ethical Dilemma
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Termination of a pregnancy during the first six months of its life is a decision that presents an ethical dilemma in a patient-focused medical approach. Patient-focused ethical dilemmas involve choosing between right and wrong while putting the patient’s needs at the center of the care process. When it comes to abortion, women decide to undertake an abortion as an ethical approach because it brings many benefits and disadvantages to themselves. The woman solely decides to have an abortion because it is in the best of her self-interest, and the medical staff considers it (Videbeck, 2011). The dilemma the debate of abortion presents is the choice between safeguarding the pregnant woman’s life while terminating the life of the unborn child. The best option to make in an ethical situation that abortion presents will be to choose which is the best option among all available options.
Abortion is not a modern phenomenon, as many of us would like to believe. The information available reveals that the ancient Greco-Roman was familiar with abortion. Abortion in Greek culture was a discussion problem in philosophy, law, history, and art. It was in discussion as a philosophical debate during the Renaissance, the Medieval period, and modern ethics in philosophy. The debate was about whether abortion was good or bad, and if it was in line with the laws of nature(Ziebertz & Zaccaria, 2019). During these periods, an abortion took place where a premature baby was delivered alive and then killed to complete the abortion process. Later on, there was the administration of herbs, sharp objects, and abdominal pressure to facilitate pregnancy termination up to the modern procedures as we know them.
Data available shows that abortion among youth and adolescents is a public health issue, especially in developing countries. 2.2 million unplanned pregnancies and 2.5 million abortions occur annually in Sub-Sahara Africa(Motilal, 2011). It mostly happens in the age group between 15 to 24 years of age. Approximately 35% of the 208 million pregnancies worldwide in 2008 were unintended, and 41 million abortions took place. More than half of the abortions were unsafe, with 47000 related deaths whereby 8 million had medical complications(Gipson et al., 2011).
The ethical dilemma that abortion brings is in line with the practice of medical ethics. Abortion brings a dilemma between the right of the mother and the fetus. In comparison, ethics is the choice between what option is right. The decision to perform the procedure is for the benefit of safeguarding life. The dilemma is also present where it begs whether some questions attract the final decision on the right to die. Striking a balance between preserving the individuals’ right to life and the principle of autonomy of the sick who wish to put an end to their suffering by taking away their own lives creates another ethical dilemma(Hang & Australian National Uni, 2018). Since the practice is patient-focused, the patient’s decision may be contrary to the practitioner’s personal beliefs, therefore creating an ethical dilemma.
Establishing whether there is a moral situation at play is also crucial in facilitating the decision-making process. Human rights state that all human beings have the right to life. It further claims that it is wrong to terminate a human being(Cherry & Jacob, 2018). A human being possesses consciousness, reasoning, the ability to communicate, self-aware, and self-motivated activity. The more like a person a being is, the stronger the case is on having a right to life, making the right to life stronger. Therefore, it is wrong to kill a viable newborn because neonates are close to being persons, and killing them will require moral justification.
Different value systems influence the decision-making process in the abortion debate. In some communities, there is a unity of purpose in making important decisions, such as preserving life. The effect of loyalty and commitment to what the family holds dearly may also influence the woman’s decision-making process. The family as a value system may influence highly on the decision-making process. Education is essential as it provides vital information that was previously new to the receiver. Some women get information on abortion, deciding whether to proceed or not with the procedure(Cherry & Jacob, 2018).
The principle of autonomy of life states that a practitioner should treat patients with consideration and respect. Often the principle interferes with the value systems that the medical practitioner may have regarding life as an individual. The health practitioner’s commitment to the hospital they work for and to their career may also bring about a conflict of the value systems at play(Motilal, 2011). The medical practitioner should always treat patients with consideration. The value of consideration also conflicts with the value of service to all patients regardless of when the nurses often fail to provide the necessary treatment and care when they need it.
There are fundamental institutions that may provide options and choices to resolve the ethical dilemma that abortion brings. The medical staff could adhere to the law under the fundamental laws and rights of patients in overcoming the dilemma. Supporting the welfare of clients is at the center of a patient-focused practice. The nursing code of conduct also guides on choices regarding ethical issues. Legalizing the abortion practice will question the legal status whereby if the fetus is life, abortion is killing or taking away life, contrary to the law. Making abortion illegal will ensure that the fetus’s life is safeguarded, which is a core component of the law in totality(Ziebertz & Zaccaria, 2019). Whether we are pro or against abortion, the debate requires input from different institutions to offer a conclusive answer that ensures the patient-centered focus in nursing.
References
Hang, T. M., & Australian National University Press. (, 2018). Global debates, local dilemmas: Sex-selective abortion in contemporary Viet Nam. Acton, A.C.T: ANU Press.
Cherry, B., & Jacob, S. R. (2018). Contemporary nursing: Issues, trends, & management.
Videbeck, S. L. (2011). Psychiatric-mental health nursing. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Ziebertz, H.-G., & Zaccaria, F. (2019). Euthanasia, abortion, death penalty and religion: The right to life and its limitations : international empirical research.
Motilal, S. (2011). Applied ethics and human rights: Conceptual analysis and contextual applications. London: Anthem.
Gipson, J. D., Becker, D., Mishtal, J. Z., & Norris, A. H. (2011). Conducting collaborative abortion research in international settings. Women’s health issues : official publication of the Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health, 21(3 Suppl), S58–S62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2011.01.005
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