Opponents & Proponents of Abortions
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There are several proponents and opponents to the conduct of abortions, many of whom feel strongly regarding their positions. The proponents, consisting primarily of physicians, allied health professionals, jurists, patients and their families, and members of Catholics for Free Choice, among other interest groups, contend that the right to abortion belongs to the woman and she is to dictate what is to be done with her body (Beyette, 1991; Cohen, 1988; Freedman, 1988). The opponents, consisting primarily of physicians, allied health professionals, some jurists, patients and their families, and certain religious groups, contend that abortion constitutes mutilation to the body of the pregnant woman and murder and disrespect for the human dignity of the fetus (Annas & Elias, 1989; Robertson, 1988). Thus, both medical and social issues predominate the debate over whether or not abortions are to be delivered, and under what circumstances. There is no clear indication as to the absolute number of abortions that are performed in the United States. In support of this, Robertson (1988) and Tumulty (199O) report that the number of nurses, physicians, clinics and hospitals that provide abortions is unknown. Robertson (1988) indicates that the number of nurses, physicians, clinics and hospitals providing abortions is unclear, given that records are often either not kept, or kept inaccurately on purpose to disguise this medical procedure. Further, there is no
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73,000 abortions performed. Those included two suicides and five depressive reactions linked with major hemorrhaging or protracted fever (p. 30).
The suction D & C procedure usually results in some degree of emotional turmoil, particularly for the physician and staff who often experience the dead fetus who may be torn apart, versus nearly whole, under the traditional D & C procedure. Beyette (l991) notes that the woman may also suffer emotional discord due to the decision to have the procedure itself, or her seeing the fetus as noted above.
There are ethical concerns related to the medical issue of abortion. That is, Greely, Hamm, Johnson, Price, Weingarten, and Raffin (1989) note that there are four principles of medical ethics involved in abortion: beneficence; doing no harm; respect for patient autonomy; and respect for human dignity. These principles, while accepted for the most part among the medical community, fail to provide for clearcut answers to the provision of abortion, particularly those that are induced. Consider that proponents argue that the principle of beneficence can be supported while injury to the fetus is promoted. For example, if the prospective mother undergoes an induced abortion that is required to
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Annas Elias, Dilatation Curettage, Roe Wade, Weingarten Raffin, Parkinson's Disease, Supreme Court, Free Choice, Grimes Tumulty, Medical Issues, , fetal tissue, robertson 1988, induced abortion, supreme court, freedman 1988, human fetal tissue, abortions performed, beyette 1991, clinics hospitals, physicians clinics, tumulty 199o, physicians clinics hospitals, greely hamm johnson, human subjects research, subjects research 106,
Approximate Word count = 1938
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)
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