ETHICS OF LIFE

Ethics Of Life: Abortion

Ethics of Life: Abortion

Introduction

The abortion is a simple medical procedure that ends pregnancy. Through the story around the world and in many religions, women have used abortion as part of their health care. Not all women believe abortion is right (Panicola, 2007), but every woman has the right to make their own decision. Other options in case of unexpected pregnancy are: deliver the baby to adopt it or stay with the baby.

To deal with the subject justice of abortion, should give special attention to the analysis of ethical, moral, legal and religious, as well as the role that has the legislator in a democratic society. It is not easy to establish priorities among conflicting ethical values, but it is necessary to reflect on ethical and philosophical principles of law that legitimize the need to protect women's human rights and autonomy as individuals. In the case of abortion, this analysis allows to consider the particular circumstances of each case to make a decision to support or ethically valid.

Abortion From The Religious Point Of View

Worldwide, there are various cultures, philosophies and religions with different positions on the exact moment when the embryo becomes a "human being with a soul” (O'Rourke & Boyle, 2011). There are traditions that believe in human evolution late, others believe that life begins only when the fetus is "viable". Many religions oppose abortion but believe that abortion is allowed under certain conditions, while others left to the discretion of the individual according to what their conscience. In Jewish tradition, for example, before birth the fetus is not considered human and Jewish law does not grant legal personality, being able to resort to abortion in cases that endanger the life of the mother. United Methodists, on the other hand do not speak of human beings before birth.

The treatment has given the abortion not only differs between religious communities but has raised many controversies within them. Such controversies have changed throughout history and remain a subject of constant debate in which there is no unanimity of opinion.

In the case of Islamic jurisprudence, for example, there are disagreements about the exact timing of the installation of the soul in the body and the developing fetus (group permits abortion up to 120 days, others prohibit it in earlier stages) (Morris, 2007).

Within Judaism, but is required life-threatening abortion when the mother, there is a wide divergence between the different movements as to permit abortion for non-therapeutic reasons.

In the Roman Catholic Church, the position which states that human life exists from the moment of conception has not always been the same. Before 1869 the majority of theologians taught that the fetus becomes a human being with a human soul from the 40 days (sometimes later) after conception (ibid). The position of the church hierarchy of absolute condemnation of abortion has been challenged by Catholic theologians who believe that abortion is permissible in the early stages of pregnancy.

The Catholic Church's Position With Respect To Abortion

To Pius IX, the pontiffs were ...