Is an abortion still unethical even when it's for lifesaving purposes?

Question

For example an ectopic pregnancy, it is still a valid pregnancy but in the wrong place.

I've read alot of questions on here about abortions and alot of people say it's wrong and it's murder but in these cases surely one must see what her only option is.

Answer 1

Even in countries where abortion is illegal, lifesaving abortions are considered neccessary and are performed in the hospitals.

Answer 2

Given your example yes, aborting  a etopic pregnancy is ending 1 life where 2 would otherwise die

Answer 3

An abortion is ethical or unethical based on personal opinion.  

Answer 4

No, abortion is not unethical when it is lifesaving. Anything that is lifesaving is not unethical.

Women have the right to do with their own bodies what they choose and should not put up with villification by the pro-lifers.

Answer 5

I believe that if that theres nothing in this world that would save your life and could possibly loss the baby too then abortion could be an option. But I'm pro-life and can't ever see myself having an abortion.If I had to carry my baby knowing that it was going to live but there was a possibility I wouldn't then I would still carry it and let them live.But again that's just my opinion.  

Answer 6

You need to choose a better example. An ectopic pregnancy can't continue it's impossible. It will probably kill the mother and the embryo has no chance of continuing because it's implanted in the fallopian tube, not the uterus.

In that case abortion is the only solution, it's got nothing to do with ethics.

I just wanted to add..

Creampuff, I agree with you in most of what you said, but consider the mums who die for their child because they discovered they had cancer early in a pregnancy.

They decide to continue the pregnancy and refuse any treatment to save themselves. There are some scenarios where a Mum will die (or risk it) so her baby could live.

They don't nessasarily die within a few months, but deliver their baby then die because cancer has spread too much to be treated successfully.

Answer 7

No, of course it isn't. I think the only time abortion is unethical is in a situation like this: when a couple were drinking and then too lazy/irresponsible to use a condom and got pregnant as a consequence of stupidity.

...In fact I am pretty positive this is how my first child was conceived...

Answer 8

In a case like ectopic pregnancy where the baby won't be viable and the woman will probably die then it's fine.   I am against abortion only if there are no other major complications

Answer 9

i believe its a womans right to choose regardless and that "human life" as you know it is not formed in the combination of cells that are still running around in the tissue in your uterus. And an ectopic pregnancy is dangerous, if anyone were to tell you to disobey the doctor and keep the pregnancy they are making you a ticking time bomb.

Answer 10

In situations like an ectopic pregnancy, things are very different.  The baby's chances of surviving are like one in a million & the mother's life is at risk.  I don't see anything wrong with that.  It is when people use abortion as a form of birth control because they are too lazy & irresponsible to put put a condom on or take a pill every day !

Answer 11

EVERYONE HAVE DIFFERENT DECISIONS ON ABORTION, I THINK IT SHOULD BE A PERSONAL DECISION AND IT'S NONE OF NOBODYS BUSINESS. THERE ARE SOME MEDICAL CASES THAT AN ABORTION IS NEEDED BUT WHETHER ITS A REGULAR PREGNANCY, ECTOPIC PREGNANCY, OR WHATEVER KIND IT'S YOUR DECISION AND YOU SHOULDN'T GIVE A DANG WHAT ANYONE ELSE THINKS.

I HOPE THIS HELPS!!

Answer 12

It just depends on what you believe.  

Answer 13

Valid by what standards?  

Abortion, within limits is legal, and for sure will remain so.  This nations will never go back to the days where a woman seeking abortion will seek one on the kitchen table of an abortionist.  Fundamental Christians would likely love to take us back to the days of the Comstock Law of 1873 -- making even the discussion of child birth illegal and against obscenity laws.  (Google it.)  It is legal in all European countries, Canada, US, and now in Mexico City.

Google Abortion + pros and cons, and see what you come up with.

Abortion prior to quickening (6th month) it  is still between a woman, her conscious and her doc. Government, so far is not in that doctor's office.  Few women who have one ever regret it.  You and I would have no idea what it is like to be 15, scared and pregnant.... For almost 40 years it has been "her body, her business."

Your comment --- that it is murder --- would have many who disagree with you.... the argument is that prior to the 3rd trimester, the foetus/zygote/blastocyst, feels nothing, hears nothing, and indeed possesses no complete nervous system... and is in every way a definition of a parasite...   It is not yet an independent HUMAN therefore no murder is involved.    yup, it has a heart, and a tape worm does too.  And it may be beginning to be human, but it has no self-awareness nor personhood... very distinct for independent humanity.

Abortion is within limits, legal.  no one has the  right to push

RELIGIOUS values on anyone in any area.  We are a nation of laws, not religions, nor of people's ideas....laws.... and if enough of us feel the law ought to be changed, we do that thru courts and the legal system.

Answer 14

I would consider that an ethical purpose.  The baby would not survive anyhow.

Answer 15

I have thought about asking this SAME QUESTION on here! My sister, when she was 22, had an ectopic pregnancy that just about killed her. If the fetus had continued growing, she would be DEAD and so, obviously would the baby. (As it was, since my sister was a couple of months along, she was in hospital for an extended amount of time, had to undergo extensive operations, and was so weak she couldn't eat and had to be fed intravenously.)

There are also women with severe heart conditions and defects who are either unaware of their condition or become pregnant through a fluke (despite getting tubes tied, etc) who are told that they will not be able to carry the baby to five months because their heart will fail and they will die.

Another interesting scenario. So technically, pretty much everyone on here believes in abortion at least in the case of ectopic pregnancy- otherwise it would just mean the senseless death of the mother when the fetus was going to die anyway.

The person who said that the mom had "another option" made me laugh. Yeah, sure she did. Death.

EDIT: There was a person above me who said that if she knew that she would die but the baby would live, she would probably give up her life for the baby. That's a commendable sentiment. But... and I say this with all due respect...up to a certain point the baby needs you to be living. It's not like a four month old fetus can survive on its own. If a baby could be delivered early, when the mother's life is being put at risk by the pregnancy, then there would probably be no need for the mother to die to save her baby. Babies in the womb kind of need their mother to survive during most of pregnancy, so dying yourself won't do your baby any good.

And to say that you would or would not act in such-and-such a way may be hurtful to those who have been through such a horrible experience. If you haven't been there, in a position where a doctor is telling you that you WILL die if you end the pregnancy, especially if you have a husband and small children depending on you, you have no idea what you would do.

Answer 16

I think everyone will agree that abortion is not unethical when it endangers the mother's life. In fact, the procedure used to remove the embryo from the fallopian tube during an ectopic pregnancy is not even considered abortion.

Answer 17

an abortion is not the only option for ectopic pregnancies.

Answer 18

I don't think it is. I think its a women's choice whether to keep her baby or not. I personally would give up for adoption, but everyone is diffrent. I know people though that would rather save the baby then themselves, I respect that, but some people aren't like that. I agree with Amanda though. Using abortion as birthcontrol is not right. Intersting question.  

Answer 19

to me its wrong when theres a choice if someone has an eptopic they have no choice im sure allot of women who have this would love to keep there child but cant