Respond to below: Abortion is a topic that is emotionally charged when discussio

Respond to below:
Abortion is a topic that is emotionally charged when discussions arise. There are many points of view that must be considered when looking at the moral and ethical rights that impact the beliefs and rights surrounding abortion. Personal age, gender, and religious and political influences are some of the biggest factors that play a part in one’s perception of what is morally and ethically right in abortion. Polese et al. (2021) note that the dichotomy of views that exist between scientific and religious perspectives impacts the view of society as well as laws that govern decisions regarding several right-to-life topics, including abortion, reproductive technology, and end-of-life decisions. With the topic of abortion, a major consideration for the topic is who should hold the primary voice in deciding who’s right is to decide the moral and ethical implications for an abortion to occur. Many feel that the mother deserves the sole decision-making power, due to the impact pregnancy has on her body and her life. Others advocate for the unspoken voice of the embryo or fetus, while some back the father’s right to input in the decision. The topic is complex, and each aspect deserves consideration.
Autonomy and self-determination are fundamental ethical principles, often the focus of ethical and moral decisions. Varkey(2021) notes that these concepts have been long studied and considered to be influential when considering what is right and wrong. Individuals should have the right to exercise judgments and manage their own life, in the way they see best suits them. The right to choose was recognized as individual liberty in 1973 when Roe v. Wade was passed. This legislation empowered pregnant women to be able to make the decision to have an abortion when indicated. This legislation provided women the ability to make determinations regarding their body and their futures, without the worry of interference and restriction from the government.
Adversaries of the right to choose had concerns that the unborn child did not have a voice or advocate. They strongly uphold the sanctity of life. Gestational age is one factor used in consideration of when abortion is permissible. It is a gauge used to determine when human life begins and when and if the right to terminate life is not ethical. A fetus is viable outside of the body at 23 weeks gestation, and this has been a relevant factor in the abortion debate historically. Evans and Narasimhan (2020) note that in recent times, anti-abortion supporters have advocated reconsidering that fetal heartbeat is considered the start of viable human life. This occurs at five to six weeks gestation, a time that some women don’t even realize they are pregnant. Scientific data supports that the presence of a heartbeat does not equate with a functioning heart (Evans & Narasimhan, 2020). Evidence-based medicine should be utilized to guide legislative decisions. Autonomy and self-determination are important factors in making ethical decisions in bioethics in other realms. Supporting a woman’s right to choose is providing a woman the power to determine her life’s course. Coming to terms of the emotional and spiritual aspects of abortion is then left to each individual faced with the decision to have an abortion must make.
References:
Evans, D. P., & Narasimhan, S. (2020). A narrative analysis of anti-abortion testimony and legislative debate related to Georgia’s fetal “heartbeat” abortion ban. Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 28(1), 1686201. https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2019.1686201
Polese, D., Fagioli, M., Virgili, F., & Fiori Nastro, P. (2021). Something must happen before first breath. BMC medical ethics, 22(1), 57. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-021-00624-4
Varkey B. (2021). Principles of clinical ethics and their application to practice. Medical Principles and Practice : International Journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre, 30(1), 17–28. https://doi.org/10.1159/000509119