Biotechnology and Reproductive Rights

Biotechnology and Reproductive Rights

Performing Abortions

Performing abortions has always been a prolonged debate. Some people believe that abortion is entirely unethical; on the other hand, some people believe that abortion can be regarded as ethical on the basis of the underlying reasons women have to get their child aborted. Various professional, societal, economical, legal and political conditions are usually observed under which the debate for abortion being ethical or unethical is conducted. This particular paper will discuss the reasons which make the abortions ethical for physicians to perform. Physicians can reconcile their own beliefs with their professional duty while making the decision of abortion for their patients (Bellieni & Buonocore, 2006).

It has been suggested that physicians need to perform legally permitted and efficient care to the patients despite the fact if the treatment conflicts with their values. There are certain underlying ethical domains which make it necessary for physicians to abide by their professional duty and ignore their values. The most important ethical principle that can be related to the performance of abortion is that doctors are abiding to perform treatments and provide care which patients demand. If a particular doctor tends to deny the performing of abortion; the patient will have to request other doctors to get the service done. Ultimately, the patient will find some doctor to perform the abortion then what is the need to waste the time, energy and money of the patients within the process (Jedediah, 2006).

Usually, doctors do not believe that they have a duty to provide all possible legal and beneficial services to the patients. Doctors tend to provide specialized treatments and sometimes they also refuse to abort because the idea conflicts to their own beliefs. In this situation, there is an immense need for doctors to realize the fact that they must provide the services because they are bound to treat the patients ethically, otherwise patients would find some other doctor to perform the procedure ultimately. In my opinion, doctors do not possess any certain right to deny the services patients demand even if the services conflict their own beliefs.

Another ethical and professional justification for doctors to perform abortions is that patients are usually less informed about their rights and entitlements. The less informed patients will fail to receive the services and the well informed patients will fight for their right and will get the service done. This inequality with the patients remains unethical and this must be avoided by the physicians. The doctors need to honor the conscientious demand of the patients to perform the abortions. Denying the services in some manner mean that the rights of patients are violated and it is professionally, legally and ethically wrong. Further, such denials also sometimes create economic hardships for the patients because of visiting several physicians to convince them about the procedure (Mallia, 2010).

The law within United States of America completely protects the right of conscientious refusal is not helpful in impeding the availability of ...