PREPARED BY: PRAVEEN. S.S M.Div, (DCPC, M.Sc)
Introduction
As abortion is a bioethical issue, it is a very important issue from the Christian perspective of life. It has medical, legal, theological, ethical social and personal aspects. There are many irresponsible foeticides and abortions. People detect the gender and ‘kill off’ the female foetus. There are clinics run legally and illegally to do this procedure.
Here present writer gives an idea about abortion, its history, methods, ethics, Christian response and evaluation.
Meaning and Definition
Generally abortion known as the expulsion of a foetus[1] from the womb before it is able to survive independently, especially in first 28 weeks of human pregnancy.[2] According to Britannica Ready Reference Encyclopaedia, abortion is expulsion of a foetus[3] (fetus) from the uterus before it can survive on its own.[4] Wikipedia[5] state that abortion is the termination of pregnancy by the removal of expulsion of the fetus from the uterus, resulting in or caused by its death.[6]
Development of Human Embryo
Before discussing further it is better to know the development of human embroyo. The egg and sperm unite to give forty six chromosomes. On the 45th day,[7] one can get electroencephalographic waves from brain. On the eighth week the brain is formed. On the ninth or tenth week thyroid and adrenal glands function. On the thirteenth week, finger nails.[8]
Types of Abortion
There are two types of abortion. Those are spontaneous abortion and induced abortion.
Spontaneous Abortion
Spontaneous abortion done early stages of pregnancy is called ‘miscarriage.’ Complete spontaneous abortion at 6 weeks gestational or fetus due to accidental trauma or natural cases before approximately the 22nd week of gestation, the definition by gestation various by country. Most miscarriages are due to incorrect replication of chromosomes; they can also be caused by environmental factors.[9]
Induced Abortion
Induced abortions often occur international medical intervention and are performed to preserve the women’s life or health, to prevent the completion of a pregnancy result in from rape or incest, to prevent the birth of a child with serious medical problems, or because the woman does not believe she is in a position to rear a child property.[10]
Different Methods
Abortion methods may done on the basis of gestational stage.
Medical Abortion
Medical abortions are non-surgical abortion that use pharmaceutical drugs, and are only effective in the first trimester of pregnancy. Medical abortions comprise 10% of all abortions in the United States and Europe . Combined regimens include methotrexate or mitepristone followed by prostaglandin.[11] When used in 49 days gestation, approximately 92% of women undergoing medical abortion with a combination. Misoprostol can be used alone, but has a lower efficacy rate than combined regimens. In case of failure of medical abortion, vacuum or manual aspiration is used to complete the abortion surgically.
Attached to a Suction Pump
In the first 12 weeks, suction aspiration or vacuum abortion is the most common method. Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) abortion consists of removing the fetus or embryo, placenta and membranes by option using manual syringe, while electric vacuum aspiration (EVA) abortion uses an electric pump. These techniques are comparable, and differ in the mechanism used to apply section, how early in pregnancy they can be used, and whether cervical dilation is necessary.[12]
Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
The second most common method of abortion, is a standard genealogical procedure performed for a variety of reasons, including examination of the uterine lining for possible investigation of abnormal bleeding, and abortion, curettage refers to cleaning the walls of the uterus with curette. The World Health Organization recommends this procedure, also called sharp curettage, only when MVA is available.[13] The term ‘D’ and ‘C’, or something suction curette, is used as euphemism for the firm trimester abortion procedure, whichever the method used.
Other Methods
Historically, a number of herbs reputed to possess abrtifacient properties, have been used in folk medicine, tansty peonyroyal, black cohosh, and the now-extinct, eilphium.[14] The use of herbs in such a manner can cause serious-evenlethal-side effects, such as multiple organ failure, and is recommended by physicians.[15]
Abortion is sometimes by causing trauma to the abdomen. The degree of force, if severe, can cause serious intemal injuries without necessarily succeeding in including miscarriage.[16]
Imported methods of unsafe, self induced abortion include misuse of misaprostol and insertion of non surgical implements such as knitting needles and clothes hangers in to the uterus. These methods are rarel often in developed countries where surgical abortion is legal and available.
Health Considerations
Early term surgical abortion is a simple procedure which is safer than child birth when performed before the 16th week. Abortion methods like most minimally invasive procedure, carry a potential serious complications.[17]
Physical Health
Women typically experience the minor pain during first trimester abortion procedures. In a 1979 study of 2,299 patients, 97% reported experiencing some degree of pain. Patients rated the pain as bearing less than or toothache, but more than headache or backache.[18]
Mental or Emotional Health
No scientific research has demonstrated a direct casual relationship between abortion and poor mental health, though some studies have noted that there may be statistical correlation.[19] Pre-existing factors in a women’s life, such as emotional attachment to the pregnancy, lack of social support, pre-existing psychiatric illness, and conservative views of abortion increases the likelihood of experiencing negative feelings after an abortion.[20]
Different Views on Abortion
Harold O.J. Brown summarizes the historic Christian view of abortion by observing: “the overwhelming consensus of the spiritual leaders of Protestantism, from the reformation to the present, is clearly antiabortion. There is very little doubt among Biblically oriented protestants that abortion is an attack on the image of God in the developing child and is a great evil.”[21]
According to Karl Barth’s normative view” the unborn child is from the first a child.[22] It is still developing and has no independent life. But it is a man and not a thing, nor mere past of mother’s body … He who destroys germinating life kills a man.”
Advocates of a liberal abortion policy make three key arguments in support of their position.
1. The abortion decision is within the woman’s “freedom of choice.”[23] The anti abortion response is that one’s freedom to is limited by another’s right not to be acted upon. Abortion thus involves the rights of both the mother and the child. Any conception of the unborn child as a mere appendage of the mother’s body is rejected; the unborn child is considerable a valuable human being.[24]
2. The antiabortion response is that there is no position in which “values neutrality” is possible. It is not a question of ‘whether’ but ‘whose’ morality or values will be reflected in law and public policy.[25]
3. It is necessary to protect the “quality of life” of the mother and those children who are allowed to be born. This “quality of life” ethic stands in contrast to the traditional Judeo-Christian “sanctity-of-life” ethic. The quality of life argument normally based on ‘Hard cases’[26] which affect emotional appeal to many who are sensitive human suffering.
Reproduction and Ethics in General
The first reproductive issue debated extensively by philosophers was abortion. Debates about its morality were, and still are, dominated by the issue of the moral status of the foetus, on which a wide variety of views has been defended. The most ‘conservative’ view is usually associated with very restrictive abortion policies, inconsistent with ‘a women’s right to choose.[27]’ However all about most conservative find it hard to ground prevailing moral institutions concerning the newer issue of using human embryos for research purposes. Embryos, and even gemetes, also assume importance in the context of methods for overcoming intertility, where issues about rights and ownership may arise.[28] Considerations of ‘the welfare of the child,’ often used to settle surrogacy disputes, also bear on questions to what should, or may be done to avoid bringing a child with a genetic abnormality into the world.[29] Current philosophical literature or reproductive issues largely limited to a vocabulary of rights and attention is paid to the social and familiar contexts which reproductive decisions are usually made.
Post Abortion Counselling
After having an abortion, woman need counselling to heal the emotional and mental obligations. Post abortion women are seeking help from their pastors, physicians, and therapists in ever increasing numbers, challenging the long held assumption by the professional community that emotional problems following an abortion represent only temporary hormonal factorisations. [30]
The Impact of Abortion
A common experience shared by a large percentage of women who have chosen abortion. First, a quick or programmatic solution of the fear and anxiety of a crisis pregnancy is sought. The moral dilemma eventually resurfaces, and the decision to abort is now questioned. Often the answer is “no, I violated my own moral code by destroying my child.”[31]
A women may be so psychologically influenced by this experience over time that once in therapy, it is not uncommon for her to begin her first session with the confession “my life is out of control- I think I’m on the verge of a complete breakdown.”[32]
Men and Abortion
Many men take the more passive approach of I’ll support you in whatever you decide to do, dear,” having accepted the contemporary feminist position that abortion is solely a women’s choice. Men who encouraged or even coerced an abortion decision due to pragmatic reasons are often consumed with guilt and remorse later in life, particularly if their moral identity was against abortion in general. These individuals will often need to work through areas of forgiveness and emotional healing.[33]
Factors that Exacerbate the Impact of Abortion
The likelihood of a woman experiencing emotional problems after an abortion increase when the following factors accompany the abortion: coercion, ambivalence, rearing in a conservative religion, poor relationship with or little support from parents and or sex partner, inadequate pre-abortion counselling, having existing children at the time of abortion, etc.[34]
Psychological Healing from an Abortion
Healing fro the emotional damage of a past abortion often involves successfully navigating a number of psychological tasks, first, with a trusted counsellor one must work through any denial and allow past painful emotions to surface by remembering and relating the details and negative feelings surrounding the abortion experience.[35] Second, one needs to deal appropriately with issues of guilt in relation to God and receiving forgiveness from Him. This involving assuming reasonability for the decision understanding the full meaning of repentance, correcting to view of who God is and how God operates and finally accepting a view of God as the ultimate loving, forgiving parent.[36] Third, one must identify and release the anger toward oneself and others involved in the abortion decision which includes releasing any need for begeance. Fourth, one must become open for vengeance. Fouth, one must become open to grieving over the lost baby. This allows or the possibility to say good bye to the child with the future hope of experiencing perfect reconciliation with the child in the kingdom of God
Conclusion
As it is true that abortion is known as the expulsion of foetus from the women’s womb which is the source of life. There are events of abortions taken place every day in medical colleges and other speciality hospitals. Biblical view of abortion is murder. If the pregnancy happened in any illegal ways, there are many other option to avoid killing the foetus. (Keep in orphanage, children homes). If abortion is taken place intentionally, that clients (women and husband) should grieve about their murdering, and keep good conscious with God by God’s forgiveness. There should need a post abortion counselling for women to come out from all emotional and mental turbulence.
Bibliography
“Abortion.” Britannica Ready Reference Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Delhi
“Abortion.” Oxford Delhi : Oxford
“Post abortion Counselling.” Encyclopedia of Psychology and Counselling. Edited by David G. Benner. Michigan
“Post-abortion Counseling.” Encyclopedia of Psychology and Counseling. Edited by David G. Benner and Peter C. Hill. Michigan
“Reproduction and Ethics.” Routedge of Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Vol. 1. London
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ abortion
Michels, Nancy Minnesota
Milco, Micahel R. Etical Dilemmas in Church Leadership. Grand Rapids
Powell, John Abortion the Silent Holocaust. Texas
Stephen, M. Introducing Christian Ethics. New Delhi
Whitehead, John W. “Arresting Abortion.” Practical Way to Save Unborn Child. Illinois
[4] “Abortion,”, Britannica Ready Reference Encyclopedia, vol. 1 (Delhi
[10] “Abortion,” Britannica Ready Reference Encyclopedia, vol. 1 (Delhi
[11] Either Misoprostol or Gemeprost; misoprostol is used in the US; gemeprost is used in the UK and Sweden
[12] Nancy Michels, Helping Women Recover from Abortion (Minnesota: Bethany House Publishers, 1988), 71.
[19] Micahel R. Milco, Etical Dilemmas in Church Leadership (Grand Rapids: Kregal Publications, 1997), 89.
[21] “Post-abortion Counseling,” Encyclopedia of Psychology and Counseling, edited by David G. Benner and Peter C. Hill (Michigan: Baker Books, 1985), 888.
[22] John W. Whitehead, “Arresting Abortion,” Practical Way
[26] Hard Cases here it means: pregnancy resulting from rape, incest, or teenage sex, where birth defects seem likely, or where the mother has a history of child abuse.
[27] “Reproduction and Ethics” Routedge of Encyclopedia of Philosophy, vol. 1 (London : Routledge, CD Rom.
[29] Arithmatical insemination by donor (AID), egg and embryo donation involving in vitro fertilization (IVF), surrogacy.
[30] “Post abortion Counselling,” Encyclopedia of Psychology and Counslieng, edited by David G. Benner (Michigan: Baker Book House, 1985), 887.
[37] Ibid.
1 comment:
There are a multitude of explanations why women in today's society need to keep the option for non-surgical abortion in mind when they're leading a romantically active lifestyle. One healthy and safe abortion option that makes it easy to prevent an unwanted pregnancy is the abortion pill, which can be used up to the ninth week of being pregnant. You could be confronted with an undesired pregnancy in various circumstances. Non-surgical abortion could be the most suitable option after contemplating all of your current life situations.
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