The abortion debate is a hot topic of ethical arguments. While pro-choice supporters advocate that the mother has the right to choose whether to keep the pregnancy or not, the pro-life supporters argue that it is murder of a human being(Lavill, 2014). The film October Baby showed the ethical concern of abortion from a new perspective: the survivor of a failed abortion. At 19 years of age Hannah discovers that not only was she adopted, but that her real mother attempted to abort her. Another ethical issue that is related to the film is the right to life of newborns who are survivors of abortion . There is a debate on whether or not the mother should be allowed to let the child die or undergo a partial birth abortion. Some argue that killing
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Examples of how the principles of nonmaleficence and autonomy were supported or violated in the film will be further analyzed. Nonmaleficence is an ethical principle that values and supports doing no harm to others (Barber, 2014). A medical professional’s goal is to provide care that supports and ensures the health of the patients. This means that medical professionals avoid performing treatments that could potentially be harmful to the patient. The practice of abortion is a violation of nonmaleficence in that it results in harm and death to the fetus. By performing abortions the nurse violates this principle of nonmaleficence. The nurse in the film even admits that the clinic was doing wrong and harmful things, which lead her to quit her job and stop practicing nursing (Erwin & Erwin, 2011). This testimony from the nurse further argues that the ethical principle of nonmaleficence was violated in the film. Opposing this principle of nonmaleficence in the film is the principle of autonomy or individual rights. Respect for autonomy advocates that each individual has the right to choose their own course of action, which should be respected by others (Barber, 2014). Respect for autonomy was supported by the RN in the film because she respected the mother’s choice to undergo an abortion. After the abortion fails …show more content…
I feel like because of the principle of nonmaleficence no harm should be done to the fetus. In addition, the principle of justice or equity advocates that the nurse has a responsibility to ensure the fetus as well as the mother are equally considered and fairly treated. I do not believe abortion fairly or justly treats the fetus because it results in the unnecessary death of a human being. I think that there are other options such as adoption that would be a more just and fair way of dealing with an unwanted pregnancy. Although I do have my own personal values and perspective, I also understand the patient’s right to autonomy and the double effect. I would never want someone taking away my right to make choices that involved my life and personal health. That is why as a nurse I will do my best to leave behind my biases when interacting with women choosing to end their pregnancies. In addition I understand that double effect plays a role in the scenario by harming the fetus while attending to help the mother. Although I would provide vigorous education about the patient’s options and the risks associated with abortions, I would ultimately let the patient make their own choice. I would also interact with the patient in a nonjudgmental manner. If I could not provide nonjudgmental care I would remove myself from the situation and ask another nurse to take over the care of that
Examples of how the principles of nonmaleficence and autonomy were supported or violated in the film will be further analyzed. Nonmaleficence is an ethical principle that values and supports doing no harm to others (Barber, 2014). A medical professional’s goal is to provide care that supports and ensures the health of the patients. This means that medical professionals avoid performing treatments that could potentially be harmful to the patient. The practice of abortion is a violation of nonmaleficence in that it results in harm and death to the fetus. By performing abortions the nurse violates this principle of nonmaleficence. The nurse in the film even admits that the clinic was doing wrong and harmful things, which lead her to quit her job and stop practicing nursing (Erwin & Erwin, 2011). This testimony from the nurse further argues that the ethical principle of nonmaleficence was violated in the film. Opposing this principle of nonmaleficence in the film is the principle of autonomy or individual rights. Respect for autonomy advocates that each individual has the right to choose their own course of action, which should be respected by others (Barber, 2014). Respect for autonomy was supported by the RN in the film because she respected the mother’s choice to undergo an abortion. After the abortion fails …show more content…
I feel like because of the principle of nonmaleficence no harm should be done to the fetus. In addition, the principle of justice or equity advocates that the nurse has a responsibility to ensure the fetus as well as the mother are equally considered and fairly treated. I do not believe abortion fairly or justly treats the fetus because it results in the unnecessary death of a human being. I think that there are other options such as adoption that would be a more just and fair way of dealing with an unwanted pregnancy. Although I do have my own personal values and perspective, I also understand the patient’s right to autonomy and the double effect. I would never want someone taking away my right to make choices that involved my life and personal health. That is why as a nurse I will do my best to leave behind my biases when interacting with women choosing to end their pregnancies. In addition I understand that double effect plays a role in the scenario by harming the fetus while attending to help the mother. Although I would provide vigorous education about the patient’s options and the risks associated with abortions, I would ultimately let the patient make their own choice. I would also interact with the patient in a nonjudgmental manner. If I could not provide nonjudgmental care I would remove myself from the situation and ask another nurse to take over the care of that