Introduction
Selective abortion has become increasingly common among societies where culture puts a preference on male children over the female. In these societies, selective abortion is sanctioned in cases where the unborn child is a girl yet the parents want a boy or culture condones the birth of a girl child. Selective abortion may also be used to practice family planning or to prevent the birth of a defective child. Regardless of the reasons for, there is no compelling reason enough to justify the practice. In line with the health principle of beneficence, it is morally and ethically wrong to predispose someone to harm with or without their consent. Selective abortion not only terminates the life of the unborn fetus but also risks the health and life of the mother. The practice, therefore, has to be condemned. This paper will evaluate ethical issues for and against selective abortion, giving a real-life example that puts the life-threatening aspect of selective abortion into perspective.
Arguments For Selective Abortion
Legal selective abortion has been highly advocated for on the grounds of preventing pregnancy-related risks on the mother’s health (Risøy, 2015). If the fetus has severe complications, it would be advisable to have the fetus aborted to prevent harm during delivery or on the health of the mother. This refutes any gender-related preference of the unborn child but puts a priority on the health of the mother. In most instances where a prenatal diagnosis report shows fetal defects and complications, the fetus will most likely not survive till birth. A decision on getting rid of the embryo will be highly recommended .
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Mothers have reproduction rights and can opt for selective abortion without being discriminated against or legal action being taken against them. It is also morally right to respect choices and decisions. According to Nanda (2018), the issue of selective abortion should not be measured by moral justification but rather by individual concerns. This means seeking and understanding the reasons why an individual opts to undergo a selective abortion. Nanda also adds that autonomy in such decisions remains vital.
Arguments Against Selective Abortion
Protagonists of feminism refute the practice of sex-selective abortion citing that this an illegal method of taking away the life of a female fetus. Additionally, they argue that this practice is centred on sexist ideologies which contravene the highly advocated for tenets of gender equality. Besides, feminists are concerned that in countries like India and Pakistan where incidences of sex-selective abortion are high, there will be a significant number of men who will be left without partners due to an increased male to female ratio (Lin, 2014). Sex imbalance is linked to the separation of partners and breakage of family bonds.
The consequentialism theory that supports the John Stuart Mill and Jeremy Bentham’ theory of utilitarianism points out the negative consequences of selective abortion, thereby categorizing the practice as immoral. Selective abortion should be prohibited as it causes sex-imbalance and inequalities in the society. The methods used in selective abortion can be harmful to the body. Consequentialism does not support selective abortion based on the methods used in undertaking the practice. The result of the procedure used; surgical or non-surgical may cause harm to the body.
Student’s Position
Based on the ethical principle of beneficence, selective abortion is not right because it endangers both the mother’s and the fetus’s life, thereby not benefiting the community. Beneficence principle which profoundly lies in the medical field advocates for positivity in action on others and preventing harmful outcomes. This principle does not uphold or refute the feminist views on gender discrimination and sex imbalance in the society but rather focuses on the benefit that practice has on an individual and the community. When the outcome of a practice does not produce good results, then it cannot be deemed as being moral or beneficial. The health consequences of selective abortion are detrimental, and the practice should, therefore, be avoided . It is better for the mother to be allowed to give birth to the child rather than putting their lives in harm’s way on the basis of gender preference.
Real-life Situation
An Indian Family opted for selective sex abortion. The family wanted a boy since they already had three girls. When the mother realized that she had conceived a girl, she opted for a surgical abortion. However, three consecutive pregnancies were of the same gender – female. Having undergone four selective abortions, the mother passed on a few months later. The result of selective abortion is harmful and causes harm to the mother. The American law now requires doctors to inquire a woman’s pregnancy history before taking selective abortion.
Conclusion
Selective abortion should not be encouraged, but rather education on the importance of life should be emphasized and upheld. Although the law on selective abortion is not the top agenda of most countries, the practice is encroaching into many societies and will soon become a menace. Opposing factions have all laid out their arguments in support or condemnation for the practice. The life of the mother and fetus are however great issues of concern that should be considered in this debate. The mother’ and fetus’ welfare trump any reasons and justifications of gender preferences in society. Death harms the community more than male child dominance benefits the community. Selective abortion is therefore wrong and should be condemned
References
Lin, M. J. (2014). More missing women, fewer dying girls: The impact of sex-selective abortion on sex at birth and relative female mortality in Taiwan. Journal of the European Economic Association, 12 (4), 899-926.
Nanda, B. (2018). Sex-selective abortion and reproductive rights: a syncretic feminist approach. In Discourse on Rights in India. India: Routledge. Retrieved 2018
Risøy, S. M. (2015). The decision: Relations to oneself, authority and vulnerability in the field of selective abortion. BioSocieties, 10 (3), 317-340.
