Ethical Issues Of Abortion

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There are a few ethical features in play here, mainly, the right to life, attitudes towards disabilities and the autonomous decision of the mother. Autonomy is the moral right to make decisions on how one wants to plan and act in their life. This is her body and has the right to make this autonomous decision on her own. The main ethical dilemma in this case is whether or not testing positive or carrying the gene for Huntington’s disease a justifiable reason for abortion. The pro-life view states that the fetus has the same right to life as an adult human being (they are equivalent in terms of ethical status). Abortion is therefore morally impermissible under all but the most extreme circumstances. The pro-choice view states that the fetus does not have the same right to life as an adult person. Therefore, abortion is permissible if the pregnant woman (the mother of the …show more content…
If the individual does test positive for a certain genetic disease, this has no indication of the overall quality of life the person will live in the future. The choice for genetic screening may lead to reproductive decisions based on the genetics of the child and allows for parents to select for a better child. The choice to undergo prenatal screening implies that children with a certain genetic defect are less desirable and that the life of the child is somehow worth less and his/her life would not bring happiness. However, it would be unethical to take away the mother’s right to such services and abortion. The parents and the child would suffer, If the mother is not prepared or ready to take care of a child with genetic deformities. Another reason would be for the fact that mothers may feel guilty bringing a child with disabilities into the world knowing that the child would suffer from the disease. Abortion may be morally justifiable if it prevents the child from going through substantial suffering and

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