Ethics in the Begging of Life Flashcards
What are the methods of termination of pregnancy before 14 weeks?
- Surgical (manual or electric vacuum aspiration)
- Medical (mifepristone followed by misoprostrol 24-48 hours later, which can be administered at home)
What are the methods of termination of pregnancy after 14 weeks of pregnancy
Surgical - Vacuum aspiration or dilation and evacuation (D&E)
Medical - Mifepristone followed by misoprostrol 24-48 hours
Whats the value of terminations are unsafe?
Almost half of abortions worldwide (97% of these are in developing countries)
What was the abortion act of 1967?
It introduced statutory defenced against section 58 and 59 of 1861 Act under four grounds; Social grounds (under 24 weeks), grave permanent injury, risk to life or fetal abnormality
What was the act the made abortions illegal
The 1861 Offences against the Person Act
What act made abortions legal in the case to save the mother’s life
the 1929 Act of Parliament
What are the conditions that need to be met under social grounds? (a)
That abortion is justified if continuing the pregnancy would involve a greater risk to the physical or mental health of the woman. However the women must be under 24 weeks
1b) What are the conditions that need to be met under Grave permanent injury?
The termination must be necessary to prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the woman. It has no time limit
1c) What are the conditions that need to be met under risk to life
The continuation of pregnancy would involve risk to the life of the pregnant woman.
1d) What are the conditions that need to be met under fetal abnormality
There is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from physical/mental abnormalities.
What are some of the key points in law
- Females under 16 may acquire a ToP without parental consent
- A doctor can conscientiously objection to directly participating in ToPs
- Conscientious objection exists for some of the grounds
- Fetus has no legal right to life
- Once fetus is alive outside the uterus it acquires legal protection of a newborn
What is one exception to conscientious objection?
They cannot object to treatment that is necessary to save the women’s life.
What was the case study of Janaway v Salford Health Area Authority?
Where Janaway was a receptionist who refused to write referrals for abortions. Her conscientious objection was rejected.
What was the greater glasgow and clyde health board v coogan
Where two roman catholic midwives refused to be involved in any care related to women having abortions. Again were rejected.
What is the moral status of the fetus
It does not have legal rights but it may warren moral consideration
