The ethical dilemma in healthcare regarding abortion, specifically the differences between being pro-choice and pro-death.
Abortion: Pro-choice
The article I chose to write about discusses the ethical dilemma in healthcare regarding abortion, specifically the differences between being pro-choice and pro-death. The author of the newspaper article, based out of Canada, argues that just because a person supports the pro-choice movement, does not necessarily mean that they are pro-abortion. It is argued that is appropriate to support the pro-choice movement because a womans choice of abortion is typically not a crude act, but instead should be considered a private matter. There are various reasons that a woman may choose abortion, so instead of judging her for the choice that she makes, the woman should be allowed the right to say what happens to her body and her life. The author also argues that women are under-represented in several aspects of decision making in society, and that this is one decision that should be left solely up to the individual who is carrying the fetus.
The authors solution in this article is that a woman should be allowed the right to decide what she wants to do with her body in regards to keeping or aborting her fetus. It is also part of the solution that any supporters of the pro-choice movement should not be considered pro-abortion, but instead just supporters of women being able to make this choice in a privately thought-out manner. Although the pro-life movement has a great deal of very convincing opposing arguments, I still agree in the authors solution to allow women to be in control of their own body and private decisions regarding their lives. There are so many private reasons that a woman may feel the need to make the difficult decision of choosing abortion; there are cases of rape, incest, and health risks to the mother, but there are also many other factors that can contribute to the decision that many people do not see as being acceptable. It could be a choice made because of financial reasons, lack of family support, and lack of emotional stability, or many other reasons that would influence a womans choice. At the end of the day, however, I believe that it is not the governments role to delve into a persons private life and question their motives when it comes to their own body and life. I, personally, do not support abortion; I support the human right to autonomy and being able to decide what is best for oneself.
Pro-choice isn’t pro- abortion. (1989, Jul 17). The Vancouver Sun Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/243559142?accountid=34574
Thread 2
Actions for ’Ethical Issues In Nursing’
Created by Rusty McGuire on Oct 11, 2016 8:15 AM
Nurses everywhere have long struggled with ethical challenges in patient care. In fact, in Florence Nightingale’s Notes on Nursing, she discussed ethical duties of confidentiality, communication, and the centrality of meeting patients’ needs (Nightingale, 1859; Ulrich & Zeitzer, 2009
Decisions concerning dying patients, their wishes versus the families or loved ones present ethical dilemmas daily. Decisions about the best treatment to ease a patients final suffering. sometimes the decision will need to be made about whether to allow a patients life to end by terminating treatment altogether. With advances in modern medicine, people are living longer, both old and young alike. With advances in technology and medicine we now have produced a new kind of patient, one whose brain does not function, but whose heart and lungs continue to work. This is where the ethical issue begins, when is it ok to continue care for these patients, as an ER /Trauma nurse I have seen heard and been witness to many family disputes over this topic, the old he or she (patient) said I never want to live like that or, I know he wanted to live as long as we could keep him going. Sometimes we have a DNR or advanced directive on file or with the patient, and the family still insists we follow their wishes or instructions. Or those on Hospice care and loved ones still insist on all lifesaving interventions in the ER. What do we do ?
And no, this ethical issue was not answered, there are numerous articles, research and discussions on this topic, and all have different opinions and concerns. I believe I have to say this is an ethical issue that will continue as long as there are medical interventions. And myself I do not have the answer only more questions, I have the state of mind that as a nurse I always want to honor my patients wishes, however I dont always have that privilege, so I take each one as they come one at a time and hope for the best outcome and pray I did the right thing.
Ulrich C, Zeitzer M. Ethical issues in nursing practice. In: Ravitsky V, Fiester A, Caplan A, editors. The Penn center guide to bioethics. Springer Publishing; 2009.
