Induced Abortion as a Moral Issue

In Induced Abortion: An Ethical Conundrum for Counselors, the authors provide a discussion of the conflicting nature of the ethical principles of autonomy, fidelity, justice, beneficence, and nonmaleficence with the context of the counseling relationship with clients considering abortion, (Millner, & Hanks, 2002). The authors propose that the lack of literature or dialogue pertaining to counselor values in working with clients who are considering abortion illustrates the ôàintensity of the ethical dilemmas faced thereinö (Millner, & Hanks, 2002, p. 59).

One of the dangers for counselors in counseling clients considering abortion is that they may be held liable for negligence if they do not ôàexercise reasonable careö (Millner, & Hanks, 2002, p. 59). For example, if a client does not act with skill or withholds information that is pertinent, he or she may be found negligent. The ethical dilemmas faced by counselors counseling clients considering abortion are played out against a new paradigm that views abortion not as an issue that reflects values about human life, as in the past, but, instead, one that considers ôàthe right to healthö (Millner, & Hanks, 2002, p. 60).

The counselorÆs own values or point of v

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s of autonomy, fidelity, justice, beneficence, and nonmaleficence can be in conflict The determination of conflict is often a result of whether counselors view the fetus as a human being. The following are some ways in which these ethical principles could relate to counselors who counsel women who are considering abortion. Autonomy refers to freedom of action (Kitchener, 1984). In encouraging client autonomy, counselors can help clients examine their choices and recognize ways in which their decisions fit into societal mores as well as identify how their actions may affect others' lives (Forester-Miller & Davis, 1996). Because counselors do not operate in a moral vacuum, clients' problems are filtered through the counselor's value system, often determining the course of counseling. In therapeutic relationships concerning abortion, there are at least two ways in which autonomy may be threatened. The first is the conflict between the rights of the unborn and the rights of the mother (Cahill, 1984), because autonomy is restricted by competence (Beauchamp & Childress, 1994) and perhaps by dual relationships, as well. Do both the mother and the fetus have the right to autonomy? The mother is generally capable of making her own decision
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Approximate Word count = 7497
Approximate Pages = 30 (250 words per page)

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