ABORTION

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the lecture/discussion about abortion, you will be able to: Define abortion in the medical context Enumerate the different types of abortion Compare and contrast the types of abortion at least

75% level of mastery justify your moral decision about abortion using the

different ethical school of thought.

150,000 to 750,000 abortion every year

4,000 case of abortion annually in Manila

Definition

Expulsion of a living fetus from the mother’s womb before it is viable

Termination of pregnancy prior to viability.

Viability28th weeks

Types of Abortion

1. Natural abortion2. Direct or intentional abortion3. Therapeutic abortion4. Eugenic abortion5. Indirect abortion

Natural abortion

Expulsion of fetus through natural or accidental

Spontaneous or accidental abortion

Miscarriage

Direct/ Intentional Abortion

Deliberate induced expulsion of a living fetus before it has become viable

Therapeutic Abortion

Deliberate and induced expulsion of a living fetus in order to save the mother from the danger

Eugenic Abortion

Recommended in cases where certain defects are discovered in the developing fetus.

Abortion on fetal indicationSelective abortion

Indirect Abortion

Removal of fetus occurs as secondary effect to a legitimate action.

Double effect principle Uterine cancer Ectopic pregnancy

When does life begin?

Is a fetus a person?

When does a human soul fuse or unite with the body?

ENSOULMENT

Fusion of the spiritual soul in the embryo

Theories:1. Immediate hominization2. Delayed animation

Delayed Animation

1. Implantation2. Unity and uniqueness3. “Looks Human”4. Electrical activity5. Quickening6. Viability7. Birth

Immediate Hominization

Ensoulment happens upon conception

Delayed Animation

Ensoulment occurs later after conception

3 GENERAL VIEWPOINTS OF ABORTION

1. CONSERVATIVE 1. Very immoral2. Permitted only for therapeutic abortion

2. LIBERAL 1. Womans right to decide on her own body

3. MODERATE/INTERMEDIATE

PRO-CHOICE

MOVEMENT

PRO-LIFE

PHYSICAL PYSCHOLOGICAL

Habitual miscarriages Uterus Fever Cold Insomia Intense pain Shock Bleeding

GuiltSuicidal tendenciesLoss of sense of

fulfillmentMourningLoss of confidenceLower self-esteemAngerRage

EFFECTS OF ABORTION

JUSTIFICATIONS

Social reason1. Control population2. Alleviates economic, sociological and

demographic problemsFetal reasons3. Prevents birth of malformed/defective

children4. The malformed child will no longer suffer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2l1-kvKomg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66VsbouZSes&feature=related

Case 1

Ms. Not ready, a 13 yr-old daughter who has been sexually molested by her own grandfather and has become pregnant. As a mother what will you do?

Case 2

Suppose you were raped and got pregnant and you found out that through abdominal ultrasound, or amniocentesis, the developing fetus is malformed or defective. What will you do. Support your answers for any moral decision using the ethical theories.

Case 3

You are working in Kuwait as a nurse, then you were raped by your patient an Iraqi soldier . Will you submit to curretage or any means to prevent the development of fetus after the sexual assault? what will you do? Support your justifcations with ethical theories.

Biblical Point of view

God creates life. Jesus Christ, God's son, is pro-life. Read these

Scriptures:The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being (Genesis 2:7).

You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit (Job 10:12).

Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3).

God treats a fetus (baby) in the womb as a living person.

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations" (Jeremiah 1:4-5).

Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast. From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God (Psalm 22:9-10).

God says murder is sin. (Abortion kills the fetus.)

You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13).

God calls us to protect the defenseless, including children.

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked (Psalm 82:3-4).

Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done? (Proverbs 24:11-12).