ETHC 445 Week 5 Course Project Milestone: Annotated Bibliography
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Chamberlain University
ETHC-445 Principles of Ethics
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ETHC 445 Week 5 Course Project Milestone: Annotated Bibliography
Abortion: A Complex Social Issue
Abortion is commonly understood as a medical procedure to terminate an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy. Despite its long history, abortion remains a deeply controversial and often taboo subject in society. Various groups hold vastly different views on this issue. On one side, pro-choice advocates defend a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body, while on the other, anti-abortion groups often protest at clinics such as Planned Parenthood, opposing the procedure vehemently.
A landmark moment in the history of abortion rights in the United States was the 1973 Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade. The court ruled that a fetus does not have legal protection, thereby legalizing abortion across the country (Ruggiero, 1992). Recently, abortion has come under renewed scrutiny as several states have passed laws making abortion illegal, sometimes imposing jail time even in cases of miscarriage—situations beyond a woman’s control. This crackdown has driven many women to seek unsafe and clandestine procedures, resulting in increased health risks and mortality.
One paradox of the abortion debate is that many of the laws restricting abortion are pushed primarily by men—individuals who do not experience pregnancy themselves. Even more troubling are laws that eliminate exceptions for rape or incest, forcing women to carry pregnancies against their will. These policies highlight a broader issue regarding bodily autonomy and governmental overreach. There is growing concern that the government is reversing rights once seen as moral and legal, shifting public perception of abortion from acceptable to immoral overnight (Ruggiero, 1992).
Thesis Statement
The purpose of this paper is to explore the paradox surrounding abortion rights, arguing why abortion should remain a legal and accessible option for women. It also highlights why men should not control reproductive decisions and discusses the detrimental consequences of criminalizing abortion.
Annotated Perspectives on Abortion and Disability
| Author & Year | Summary | Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| Nuccetelli (2017) | Discusses whether parents have the right to abort fetuses diagnosed with severe disabilities. | Argues carrying a pregnancy with serious fetal defects can cause more harm than well-being; thus, abortion in such cases can be morally justified. |
| Manninen (2015) | Reflects on abortion due to fetal disability, questioning how it reflects societal views on disabled lives. | Supports pro-choice but critiques the devaluation of disabled lives implied by selective abortion. |
| McKinney (2016) | Examines selective abortion as a moral failure and its connection to stigma around disability. | Suggests selective abortion perpetuates harmful stereotypes, pressuring women to make rushed decisions. |
| Crossley (2015) | Encourages parents to carefully process fetal disability diagnoses before deciding on abortion. | Proposes that raising a child with disabilities can enrich parent-child relationships, encouraging reevaluation. |
10 Things You Need to Know About Abortion Laws in the US
The current legal landscape in the U.S. is rapidly changing, with some states implementing near-total bans on abortion, including in cases of rape or incest (Amnesty International, 2019). These laws create significant barriers to safe abortion access, forcing women to pursue risky alternatives. The tightening restrictions demonstrate how political and social forces are shaping reproductive rights and endangering women’s health.
Question and Answer Section
Question: What was the significance of Roe v. Wade in abortion rights?
Answer: The 1973 Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade established that a fetus does not have constitutional rights, effectively legalizing abortion nationwide. This decision affirmed a woman’s right to choose abortion as part of her privacy rights under the law (Ruggiero, 1992).
Question: How have recent state laws impacted abortion access?
Answer: Recent legislation in several U.S. states has criminalized abortion, sometimes punishing women even for miscarriages. This has led to women taking unsafe measures to terminate pregnancies, increasing health risks and mortality rates. Certain laws eliminate exceptions for rape or incest, forcing women to carry pregnancies regardless of circumstances (Amnesty International, 2019).
Question: Why is the involvement of men in abortion legislation problematic?
Answer: Since men do not experience pregnancy, their significant influence in legislating abortion restricts women’s autonomy over their bodies. This male dominance in decision-making often leads to policies that neglect women’s rights and needs, undermining bodily autonomy.
Question: What are some ethical considerations regarding abortion for fetal disabilities?
Answer: Opinions vary on abortion due to fetal disability. Some argue it is morally justifiable to prevent suffering (Nuccetelli, 2017), while others caution against devaluing disabled lives (Manninen, 2015; McKinney, 2016). A balanced approach encourages parents to thoughtfully consider their capacities and relationships before making decisions (Crossley, 2015).
References
Amnesty International. (2019, June 11). 10 things you need to know about abortion laws in the US. Retrieved November 17, 2019, from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/06/abortion-laws-in-the-us10-things-you-need-to-know/
Crossley, M. (2015, August 1). Normalizing disability in families. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics. Retrieved December 1, 2019, from https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1111/jlme.12236
Manninen, B. A. (2015). The Replaceable Fetus: A Reflection on Abortion and Disability. Disability Studies Quarterly. Retrieved December 1, 2019, from http://dsq-sds.org/article/view/3239/3831
McKinney, C. (2016). Selective Abortion as Moral Failure? Revaluation of the Feminist Case for Reproductive Rights in a Disability Context. Disability Studies Quarterly. Retrieved December 1, 2019, from http://dsq-sds.org/article/view/3885/4213
ETHC 445 Week 5 Course Project Milestone: Annotated Bibliography
Nuccetelli, S. (2017, March 28). Abortion for fetal defects: two current arguments. Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy, 20(3), 445–453. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11019-017-9765-2
Ruggiero, V. R. (1992). Ethical Issues in Health Care (3rd ed.). Cengage Learning.