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bortion – Moral Ap
ppro
oach
h A
Abortion – M
Moral Appro
oach 2009
9
An 2009
9 apiit/ucti moral studies Assign
nment
S
Source: www.mccullouughsite.net/stinngray/pictures/ppunishment.jpgg, viewed 31st May 2009
http://w
Lim
m Wenn Shin
n Tan Yit Yee Chew Kean Ho Wong Je Ni Cheonng Kah Mun
TP01
16310 TP
P018017 T
TP016777 TP016075 TP0180966
UC2F00905AF UC1F0808BM
U MP UC2F0905ME UC2F0905KM
MGT UC1F
F0808BMP(A
AF)
Is aborttion an act of killing ann innocent soul, in the
e name of human
h right? In the piicture
above, S Senator Barrack Obamaa stands on the ground d of Pro‐Lifee is saving th he very inno ocent
life of human
h being g. Should th he mother sacrificed herself
h for the child or should the child
sacrifice mother? It’ss a debate yet awaits itss complicate
e his or her l ife for the m ed, paradox xically
conclusiion that will shake the v very foundaation of hum man right. Inn here, we s stand on mo orality
and reve eal the abor rtion comple exities with
nn Shin (TP0 our conditi
016310) anddonal disagre
Her Team eement to a abortion acttion.
Copyrigh hted by Manndy Lim Wen
Abortion – Moral Approach 2009
Dedicated to
Ho Wai Leng
Editor
Kean Ho
Lecturer
This entire assignment report is under copyright from the moral study team members named as
mentioned above along with their registered ID name from APIIT/UCTI Malaysia in TPM. Any
duplication or copy without permission or proper reference is considered plagiarism and action
will be taken as procedures par to the APIIT/UCTI Rules and Regulations.
2. Abortion Illustration
- Graphical supports on abortion. 5
6. Egoism Theory
- Approach Egoism Theory with studies on abortion. 14
7. Utilitarianism Theory
- Approach Utilitarianism Theory with studies on abortion. 15
8. Principle of Duty
- Approach Principle of Duty with studies on abortion. 17
9. Overall Justification
- Summary of all theories along with our own point of views. 18
10. Conclusion
- Our conclusion on yes or no to abortion. 18
By Ministry of Health Malaysia (2005), there’re 2 general types of abortion: Medical Abortion
which abortion due to medical purpose like saving the life of the woman, preventing the delivery
of a severely defected baby upon detection and to preserve the woman’s physical and mental
health; Induced Abortion is abortion due to deliberate human action, usually voluntary.
With today’s technologies, there’re various methods being carried out for abortion, depending on
the carriage and the time-length of the fetus development. According to Ministry of Health
Malaysia (2005), based on medical abortion, chemicals such as mifepristone and prostaglandins
are usually being used during early stage of pregnancy. Otherwise, according to them again,
surgical abortion is being carried out, such as vacuum aspiration (whether it’s manual suction or
electronic suction) is suitable for the first twelve weeks of pregnancy; Dilatation and curettage
(D&C) suitable for 15th to 24th week of pregnancy while lastly, intact dilatation and extraction
(partial-birth abortion) which suitable for advanced, third trimester pregnancy.
The risks of abortion and its effect are considerably high and have long-term effect. According to
Spirrey Press (2005), A few health risks, like general anaesthetic (such as choking, slow
recovery, feeling sick and vomiting), Haemorrhage (like excessive bleeding after abortion,
commonly due to adherent placenta or an incomplete abortion or failure of uterus in contact),
infection (like pelvic inflammatory disease), Perforation of uterus, future infertility, cervical
incompetence and ectopic pregnancy.
Copyrighted by Mandy Lim Wern Shin (TP016310) and her Team 1 | P a g e
Abortion – Moral Apprroach 20099
The stattistic of ab
bortion in Malaysia,
M a
according to Federatioon of Reprroductive Health
H
Associatiions Malayssia (2009), abortion
a casees reported with
w 38 in 1000
1 womenn is actually aged
15-49 years old and rate
r of illegaal abortion iss 0.1% or 5000 per 500,0000 life birth annually.
Source:
<
http://w
www.guttmaacher.org/graaphi
cs/ib_00599/isb_05999_fa.gif>,
viewedd 25th May 20009
Source: printed-scree
p wed 25th Maay
en from http://www.gutttmacher.org//pubs/ib_05999.html, view
2009.
By the chart
c above,, Cynthia Dailard
D (2009) stated thhat in that current
c timee, for develooping
countriess, 6 in 10 women
w or 555% and 86%
% in developped countriess live in thee a law-perm
mitted
abortion environmen
nt. In contraast, Cynthia Dailard (20009) added that
t 25% off women lived in
abortion prohibited or
o abortion only
o allowedd to save the mother’s liffe environmeent. On the above,
a
Cynthia Dailard
D 09) mentioneed that the reasons for going
(200 g a Too young or
induceed abortion are:
too poorr for raising
g a child; diffficulties with sexual paartner; unem
mployed; nott need a chiild in
school; have
h to and need
n to workk.
Pro-lifer, believes that the ‘right to kill’ the closest relatives is improper and it’s a fundamental of
family violence. They believes that each family and community individuals value are equal and
no bias or extras to anyone. Addition to it, the price of freedom is not at the cost of another
human being’s life. They too believe that abortion is a failure for society in answering the call of
the help from a woman in crisis with difficult pregnancy. They strongly agreed with life starts
with conception, where modern genetics and embryology proven that human is formed the
moment the ovum is fertilized, just that it’s discriminated as unseen, unheard and can’t plead for
his/her own life. They believe that unborn child, regardless from intended or unintended
pregnancy is entirely innocent and womb is the ‘Home Address’ for them. They accepted that
abortion laws reflect values and abortion laws doesn’t discriminate women, considering the age
and magnitude of the abortion action’s value. Besides, alternatives such as adoption are always
available for unplanned pregnancy which resolves the young and poor mother’s difficulty. They
strongly stands for no medication support to abortion and should not be paid by tax-payers.
Pro-choices, believe in opposite to pro-lifer, thinks that abortion is a woman’s right, an essential
act of a woman’s freedom and an unwelcome pregnancy child is a trespasser. They strongly
stand on feminist side where abortion laws are the discriminations against woman and are the
central right for women’s struggle for equalities. To them, abortion is necessary for a very young
pregnant woman. They agreed that unattended child may be lead to wrenched lives and child will
be battered if left born. They regarded that government should provide legal medical and
financial supports to abortion, in reducing death of abortion victims.
Copyrighted by Mandy Lim Wern Shin (TP016310) and her Team 4 | P a g e
Abortion – Moral Apprroach 20099
2. Abortion
A Illustration
Source:
ww.myhe
<http://ww
alth.gov.myy/myhe
alth/eng/$ppublic/st
ory_imagess/teens/
Suction%220and%2
0Currettagee%20ab
ortion.jpg>
>,
viewed 21sts May
2009
Source:
<http://ww
ww.myhe
alth.gov.m
my/myhe
alth/eng/$ppublic/st
ory_imagees/teens/
dilation%220copy.j
pg>, vieweed 21st
May 2009
Abortion onnto a
week-9 andd below
pregnancy
Source:
<http://meddicalima
ges.allrefer..com/la
rge/abortionn-
procedure.jppg>,
viewed 21st May
2009
Critic Comics on
Abbortion
Soource:
<hhttp://www.nnotco
nfoormedthoughhts.c
om
m/UserFiles/IIma
ge//abortion.bm
mp>,
vieewed 21st Maay
2009
Aboorted Babiess
Souurce:
<htttp://www.biible
proobe.com/aborrtio
n-tw
wins-
model.gif>,
wed 21st Maay
view
20009
Top:
Clearer Illustration
I o
on
Abortionn for Week-77
and below
w
Source: <
http://ww
ww.soc.ucsb.edu
/sexinfo//images/aborrtion
1.jpg>, viewed
v 21st May
M
2009
Source: < http://1.bp.blogspot.coom/__Sj-
cVJmmxxQ/SCrHmuK
K669I/AAA
AAAAAAAA
A4/SQOh6w
w4oEeY/s4000/slaughteredd_child-
abortion.jjpg>, viewed 21st May 2009
2
3. Moral Approach
In our research, we’ll relate the Abortion based on Principles of Moralities and Moral Theories.
Based on our scope, we’ll look into the Abortion from that perspective point of view and may
look into all direction, one by one as according to theories. The theories that we’re going to
relates will be as follows:
We’ll look into all directions, basically summarized all the aspects and point of views into Social,
Religion, Medical, Population, Community, Science and Economics. In and out, we’ll relate
some facts aligned to Pro-Choice (believes in fetus is mere tissues and should not be considered
as life) and Pro-Life (life is formed when an ovum is fertilized) point of view, par to point of
views based on medical articles rather a solid ‘yes’ and ‘no’ perspective.
Copyrighted by Mandy Lim Wern Shin (TP016310) and her Team 10 | P a g e
Abortion – Moral Approach 2009
4. Social Morality Theory
a. Definition
“Social morality theory encompasses social taboo to ensure social harmony. It is
generally the theory of normative values and societal regulations becoming a
measure or criterion on determining a matter or action.”
Kenny Ken (2007)
To be specific, this theory relates with every cause and action with priority given
to the society attributes, rather than individual attributes. It’s the matter of setting
the needs and concerns for the society, relating every individual in one society
and contributes to that society.
b. Theory Approaches
In United States community, according to Robinson (2008), in certain states,
abortion is still be accessible with all pre-elementary criteria fulfilled, par to pre-
1973 anti-abortion laws; while Roe v. Wade (1973) stands fully on pro-life point
of view, in which abortion is illegal except saving the mother’s life. However,
Robinson (2008) mentioned that U.S. Supreme Court may override Roe v. Wade
in future (from 1973 onwards) and 1973 anti-abortion laws may be applicable.
By Pregnant Pause (2008), U.S has legalized abortion anytime during pregnancy
for any reason. Hence, we may justify that in U.S, although stands on both Pro-
Life and Pro-Choices point of view, accepts abortion as legal and should be done.
By both Pregnant Pause (2008) and Robinson (2008), In Canada, the country is
accepting abortion is legal at any reason. Robinson (2008) mentioned in early
2008, there is still no law in restricting access to abortion. By Pregnant Pause
(2008), in Russia, abortion is legal with condition to the pregnancy period; in
China, abortion is virtually available for all reason except gender selection.
Copyrighted by Mandy Lim Wern Shin (TP016310) and her Team 11 | P a g e
Abortion – Moral Apprroach 20099
Source: Print-
Screened from
f
<http://ww
ww.p
regnantpauuse.o
rg/lex/worlld02
map.htm>,,
viewed 21sts
May 2009
For Prro-Life who believes abortion is unaacceptable inn their respeective comm
munity,
accord
ding to Herittage House '76,
' Inc. (20006), their reaasons are as follows:
i. Unborn child is hum
man and it’s a life.
ii. Rape andd incest punnishment is not
n the unborrn child’s ressponsibility.
iii. At conceeption, life begins.
b
iv. Rights are given to every
e single human soul, including unborn
u childd.
v. None can impose hiss/her moral to
t the motheer.
vi. Believess in religiouss supports aggainst abortioon.
b. Theory Approaches
For Pro-Choice who accepts abortion is necessary, according to Spirrey Press
(2005 and 1999), their reasons are as follows:
i. Young mother may destroy her life by giving up education or career with
unwanted pregnancy.
ii. Mother may die after risking herself preserving the pregnancy while she’s
medically too weak, resulting two deaths instead of one.
iii. The child suffers long-life sickness or defects, causing burden to the
family if left born after the severe defections has been detected during
pregnancy.
iv. Children are battered, being abused and causing social problems if women
keep their babies live in a wretched life resulted from unwanted pregnancy.
For Pro-Life who denied abortion, according to Spirrey Press (2005 and 1999),
their reasons are as follows:
v. The mother may suffer numerous physical, emotional and psychological
risks in both short term and long term after the abortion.
vi. Abortion will cause chaos to the society in future because it is a form of
attack to the fundamental of human rights; an action of killing innocent
unborn child.
vii. The mother may suffer negative impact from unresolved grief with her
partner, children, family members, extended family members and the
community upon having herself with abortion.
viii. May corrupt the fundamental of moral teachings.
Copyrighted by Mandy Lim Wern Shin (TP016310) and her Team 13 | P a g e
Abortion – Moral Approach 2009
6. Egoism Theory
a. Definition
“Egoism is a theory which consider a value as good if it benefits the individual
himself, and bad or cruel if it harms or causes him to suffer a loss.”
Kenny Ken (2007)
In short, egoism theory simply consider the results upon the individual who
applied the action; good results equal good; bad results equal bad.
b. Theory Approaches
For Pro-Choice who accept abortion, according to Spirrey Press (2005 and 1999),
their reasons are as follows:
i. Young mother may not need to give up her career or education because of
unwanted pregnancy.
ii. The mother would survive from death and breeds in later time, after
abortion from a pregnancy that can kills her.
iii. It’s better to end a much defected unborn child life rather than letting the
mother suffering in raising the child who will be a life-time burden to her.
iv. It would be last resort of birth-control for the mother so that she can
carries out the duty as her mother equally to her children, avoiding
neglected child.
For Pro-Life who denied abortion, according to Spirrey Press (2005 and 1999),
their reasons are as follows:
i. The mother suffers permanent emotional and psychological trauma after
having abortion. Seriousness may reach to committing suicide.
ii. The mother may suffer permanent physical injuries and reproductive
problems inclusive infection and incompetence after abortion.
iii. The mother may become object of discrimination from her partner,
family, external family and community, deteriorating her life style.
iv. The mother may not survive the abortion or after abortion if it’s
performed illegally or she’s too weak for abortion.
Copyrighted by Mandy Lim Wern Shin (TP016310) and her Team 14 | P a g e
Abortion – Moral Approach 2009
7. Utilitarianism Theory
a. Definition
Under this theory, it prioritizes the amount of beneficial of an action to people,
whether self or a great number of people; the greater the beneficial to people, the
better the value. According to Kenny Ken (2007), he mentioned that action is
right if the value of happiness benefits the great number of people, inclusive self.
b. Theory Approaches
Copyrighted by Mandy Lim Wern Shin (TP016310) and her Team 15 | P a g e
Abortion – Moral Approach 2009
Under Pro-Choice who supports abortion, according to Jeremy Bentham's
Hedonic Calculus (Mitch Meredith, n.d.) based on Spirrey Press (2005 and 1999)
sources,
i. Intensity: it’s very intensive in giving birth of a child, creating a new form
of life and new discoverable love in the family; not supporting in
corrupting the fundamental of human rights; adoption is always available
for the child; sacrificing for the child from a mother.
ii. Duration: Life time. Creating a life (regardless wanted or unwanted).
iii. Certainty: Probable. A matter of convinces, counseling, logic and
rationality; to strengthen the spirit of the mother in giving the birth and to
cancel the effect of the initial fear and shock from having a child.
iv. Remoteness: Immediate. Counseling is always available throughout the
world and easy accessible.
v. Fecundity (repeat tendency): Depends. It’s up to the mother’s
disciplinary.
vi. Purity (premature tendency): Unlikely. Since there’re solutions (ex:
adoption) for the child if the mother can’t bear the children, the mother
may be able to cope up if there’s any unwanted pregnancy occurred.
vii. Number of Benefits: Herself, her partner, her family, her external family,
her close society, her peers and the community she lives in.
Copyrighted by Mandy Lim Wern Shin (TP016310) and her Team 16 | P a g e
Abortion – Moral Approach 2009
8. Principle of Duty
a. Definition
Principle of Duty gives ultimate priority on the motive, intension and purpose of a
task/action, rather not on what are needs to be done and the consequences behind
the task/action.
b. Theory Approaches
For Pro-Choice who accepts the act of abortion, by Spirrey Press (2005 and 1999),
i. It’s her duty to decide whether to suffer in long life with unwanted
pregnancy, rather than only concerning importance about the child.
ii. It’s her duty in controlling her fertility upon her will, inclusive acts of
abortion if she can’t cope up with motherhood for that child.
iii. It’s her duty to decide for herself with concerning her health safety as well,
rather than just being focus onto the baby like the Pro-Life supporters does.
For Pro-Life who denied the act of abortion, by Spirrey Press (2005 and 1999),
their reasons are as follows:
i. The mother should carry out her duty as her mother in protecting her off-
spring, rather than killing it.
ii. It’s rather a duty for the mother to seek out all flexibilities for the
unwanted pregnancy child, instead of killing it as a one-stop solution.
iii. Indeed bringing up a child requires huge commitment, the mother cannot
neglect her responsibility is giving birth for a child, whether wanted or
unwanted, as there’re many solutions in resolving the unwanted child
such as adoption.
iv. Mother should be responsible along with her partner when she got
unwanted pregnancy if their intercourse is voluntary, whether safe
intercourse or unsafe intercourse.
v. The mother should have done her duty in preparing herself for
motherhood before engaging a voluntary intercourse.
Copyrighted by Mandy Lim Wern Shin (TP016310) and her Team 17 | P a g e
Abortion – Moral Approach 2009
9. Justifications
Judging from all the arguments along with its theories, there’re numerous cases we think
it should be applied when necessary.
From science, under Social Morality Theory, we believe that Pro-Life supporters’ reason
on life starts at conception is logical and true, by proving via full unique human DNA
formation in the zygote stage.
We too support the Pro-Choice supporters’ reason on aborting the pregnancy when the
mother’s physical and medical condition is outfitted; saving one life better than saving
none. Based on Egoism Theory, we accepts the argument that the mother may have a
chance to breed in later time; rather than none after risking herself dying.
However, by the Principle of Duty theories, we fully support on Pro-Life side since every
couples should be responsible for what they did and whenever there’s a flexibility, killing
isn’t necessary. We denied the Pro-Choice side due to our reason which is allowing
freedom to abortion may stimulates more unwanted pregnancy especially during teen era
when they have more curiosity about sexual attraction.
Under Utilitarian Theory, it’s vividly proven that Pro-Life side is more beneficial and
effective to more factions than Pro-Choice side via Jeremy Bentham's Hedonic Calculus
by Mitch Meredith.
10. Conclusions
From out justifications, we conclude that abortion is not a good act and should not be
carried out except the case of mother’s physical, mental and medical condition that might
kill both the mother and the unborn child simultaneously.
Copyrighted by Mandy Lim Wern Shin (TP016310) and her Team 18 | P a g e
Abortion – Moral Approach 2009
11. Appendix and References
<http://www.myhealth.gov.my/myhealth/eng/remaja_content.jsp?lang=remaja&sub=0&bhs=
eng&storyid=1193356705206>
< http://www.frham.org.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=16>
The Spirrey Press, © 2005, “The Abortion Issue”, Ligare Pty. Ltd., Riverwood, Sydney,
Australia.
<http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/400820/abortion_right_or_wrong.html>
<http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/400820/abortion_right_or_wrong.html>
Copyrighted by Mandy Lim Wern Shin (TP016310) and her Team 19 | P a g e
Abortion – Moral Approach 2009
B.A. Robinson, © 1998 to 2008, “Major U.S. laws concerning abortion” in
www.religioustolerance.org, Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance,
< http://www.religioustolerance.org/abo_supr.htm>
< http://www.religioustolerance.org/abo_can.htm>
Pregnant Pause, © 2002 to 2008, “Summary of Abortion Laws Around the World” in
www.pregnantpause.org, Pregnant Pause,
< http://www.pregnantpause.org/lex/world02.jsp>
Heritage House '76, Inc., © 2006, “I AM Pro-Life and here’s What I Think” in
www.abortionfacts.com, Heritage House '76, Inc.,
< http://www.abortionfacts.com/life_or_choice/prolife_information.asp>
Heritage House '76, Inc., © 2006, “I AM Pro-Choice and here’s What I Think” in
www.abortionfacts.com, Heritage House '76, Inc.,
< http://www.abortionfacts.com/life_or_choice/pro_choice.asp>
Copyrighted by Mandy Lim Wern Shin (TP016310) and her Team 20 | P a g e
Abortion – Moral Approach 2009
<
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/400820/abortion_right_or_wrong_pg2.html?cat=1
7>
The Spirrey Press, © 1999, “The Abortion Debates”, Ligare Pty. Ltd., Riverwood, Sydney,
Australia.
Diana Brown, 2008, “Abortion Should Not Be Restricted” in “Should Abortion Rights be
Restricted?”, Thomson Gale - Greenhaven Press, U.S.A
< http://www.iejs.com/Criminology/jeremy_benthams_hedonic_calculus.htm>
< http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/ib_0599.html>
~~~~~~~Any article(s) attached beyond this page will be the attachment for this report.~~~~~~~
Copyrighted by Mandy Lim Wern Shin (TP016310) and her Team 21 | P a g e