Module 5 Flashcards
What is abortion?
A medical procedure that terminates a pregnancy by removing an embryo or fetus.
What are the two most common abortion procedures?
- The abortion pill (mifepristone + misoprostol) – used up to 11 weeks of pregnancy.
- Clinical (surgical) abortion – a safe procedure using suction to remove pregnancy tissue.
What landmark case decriminalized abortion in Canada?
R v. Morgentaler (1988) – The Supreme Court ruled abortion restrictions violated women’s Charter rights.
Is abortion legal in Canada?
Yes. There are no legal restrictions, but access varies by province, especially in rural areas.
What U.S. Supreme Court case overturned Roe v. Wade?
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) – ruled the U.S. Constitution does not guarantee a right to abortion.
What is moral personhood in the abortion debate?
The idea that a fetus may or may not have moral status, which affects whether it has rights.
What is Margaret Olivia Little’s key argument about abortion?
The ethics of abortion are not just about fetal moral status but about the intimacy of gestation and whether a person has a duty to continue a pregnancy.
How does Little critique traditional abortion debates?
She argues they ignore the fact that gestation takes place inside someone’s body and wrongly treat fetuses as separate individuals.
What is Little’s concept of “liberty harm” in abortion ethics?
Forcing someone to remain pregnant against their will is a violation of their freedom, similar to forced bodily occupation.
How does Little compare pregnancy to intimate relationships?
She argues that pregnancy is a deeply intimate experience, and the ethics of abortion should consider whether a person has a duty to sustain that relationship.
What is Little’s stance on moral obligations to gestate?
There is no automatic duty to gestate—a pregnant person’s own perception of their relationship with the fetus determines their moral responsibilities.
Why does Little reject biology as a basis for abortion ethics?
Biology alone does not create moral obligations—a biological connection does not automatically require carrying a pregnancy to term.
What is the role of autonomy in abortion ethics?
Autonomy is the right to make decisions about one’s own body; forced pregnancy violates autonomy by denying a person control over their own body.
What is “medical regulation” of abortion in Canada?
Abortion is not restricted by criminal law but is regulated as a medical procedure under provincial healthcare policies.
How did the overturning of Roe v. Wade impact Canada?
While abortion remains legal in Canada, activists fear similar debates could influence policies, and some Americans seek abortions in Canada.
