BIOETHICAL

ISSUES OF
ABORTION
 Definitions of Abortion
 It is the termination of pregnancy after, accompanied by,
resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the
embryo or fetus. (Merriam Webster)

 Abortion is a procedure to end pregnancy. It uses

medicine or surgery to remove the embryo or fetus and
placenta from the uterus. The procedure is done by a
licensed health care professional. (Medline article)

 The intentional termination of pregnancy after

conception. It allows women to put and end to their
pregnancies but involves killing the undeveloped embryo
or fetus.
 Types of Abortion
 NATURAL ABORTION/ SPONTANEOUS OR ACCIDENTAL
ABORTION
- The expulsion of the fetus through a natural or accidental
causes.

 DIRECT OR INTENTIONAL ABORTION

- Deliberately induced expulsion of a living fetus before it has
become viable.

 THERAPEUTIC ABORTION
- Induced expulsion of a living fetus in order to save the
mother.
 Types of Abortion
 EUGENIC ABORTION/SELECTIVE ABORTION OR ABORTION
ON FETAL INDICATIONS
- Recommended in cases where certain defects are
discovered in the developing fetus.

 INDIRECT ABORTION
- The removal of the fetus occurs as secondary effect of a
legitimate or elicit action, which is direct and primary object
of the intention.
 METHODS OF ABORTION
 PLANTS AND PLANT PREPARATIONS (e.g., Makabuhay,
Essencia maravilosa)

 PHYSICAL METHODS – massage and abdominal pressure.

 INSERTION OF CATHETERS – women have been known to

insert hangers, brooms, walis tingting.

 DILATION AND CURETTAGE – done with women who had

already began the abortion, in which case it is called
completion curettage.
 METHODS OF ABORTION
 MENSTRUAL REGULATION (MR) – involves the use of
suction or vacuum aspiration to terminate a very early
pregnancy.

 DRUGS – this includes medicines: Bricanyl (terbutaline) is

perceived as an abortifacient in large doses.

 SALT POISONONG – a needle is inserted through the

mother’s abdomen.

 HYSTEROTOMY – incisions are made in the abdomen and

uterus.
VIEWPOINTS ON ABORTION

• The Conservative

• The Liberal

• The Moderate or Intermediate

 VIEWPOINTS ON ABORTION

Conservative Viewpoint
It declares that abortion is never permissible, or at most, is
permissible if and only it is required to save the pregnant
woman’s life.

Liberal Viewpoint
States that abortion is always permissible, whatever the
state of fetal development may be.
 VIEWPOINTS ON ABORTION

Moderate Viewpoint
It holds that abortion is morally permissible up to certain
stage of fetal development, or for some limited set of
reasons sufficient to justify the taking of life in this or that
special circumstances.
Reasons for Abortion

Economic cost
Family planning
Health
Rape Incest
Age
Society’s moralism
Case
  study: By Tarris Rosell, PhD, DMin
Kate is a 17 years old patient, unmarried and 8 weeks pregnant. She is a
rather remarkable girl in that she lives independently while still a senior
in a high school. She tells you that she was an adoptee given back to
foster care, and then abused in that system. She is now an emancipated
minor who works 30 hours per week at a service industry job while also
earning a 4.0 GPA in school, ranking in the top 10% of her class. She is
college-bound, with a full-ride scholarship for pre-med undergraduate
studies at a prestigious university.

Kate has absolutely no family support, and the former boyfriend who is
the father of her unborn child/fetus simply disappeared upon learning
of the pregnancy. Your patient is scared, uninsured, and says she
doesn’t want to be pregnant or a mom (“Perhaps someday, but not
now!”). She rejects the adoption option, based on her own experience
growing up, and requests abortion only, at this hospital where she has
always received medical care.”
 
• Pro-Life Perspective
Believes that the government has an obligation to preserve all
human life , regardless of intent , viability or quality of life concerns.
The pro-life movement argues that even a nonviable, undeveloped
human life is sacred and must be protected by the government.

• Pro-Choice Perspective
Believes that individuals have unlimited autonomy with respect to
their own reproductive systems, as long as they don’t breach the
autonomy of others. The pro-choice movement argues that the
government should not prevent an individual from terminating a
pregnancy before the point of viability.
 Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Comprehensive reproductive
health services, including abortion,
are necessary to guarantee the
right to life, health, privacy, non-
discrimination for women and
girls.
 REPUBLIC ACT No. 2382

THE MEDICAL ACT OF 1959

Article III section 24 no. 8

Performance of or aiding in any

criminal abortion