The Issue and Ethical Position
The United States Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in the case of Ror v. Wade in 1973 legalized abortion in the United States. However, this did not stop the heated debate and deep division between the pro-choice and pro-life crusaders. In this paper, the researcher will evaluate the ethical arguments for abortion. As Schwartz and Vellody (2016) state, although abortion on demand may promote unethical and dangerous practices, there are cases where it should be permitted. One such case is when pregnancy results from rape. It is unfair to force a woman to carry such pregnancy to term because the child will be a constant reminder of the trauma she went through.
The nine months of pregnancy and any duration that the mother will spend with the child will be characterized by depression caused by the sad memories of a rape. In case the mother makes a personal decision to carry the pregnancy to term, then she should be allowed to do so. Another case is where a young child aged 11 or 12 years gets pregnant. Forcing such a minor to become a mother at that tender age is immoral and is not supported by any legal argument, especially after the Supreme Court’s ruling made in 1973 and the Planned Parenthood v. Casey case of 1992 (Bowes, 2007). The federal law allows women to get abortions services without any form of intimidation. The potential professional code conflict that may arise is when people start abusing freedom by practicing unsafe sex, knowing that they can always get abortion services from doctors at will.
How the Scenario Might Impact My Role as a Nurse Practitioner
High rates of abortion within a small location, especially in major urban centers within the country, may have a serious impact on my role as a nurse practitioner. The burden on nurses will increase, specifically when such abortions have complications. It may affect the value of services offered to my patients as nurses will be overstretched. Some of my colleagues may be pro-choice, but the law requires them to attend to such patients without prejudice. It creates a situation where nurses will be forced to act against the virtues they stand for as individuals with the right to hold their opinion.
Defending My Position with Legal, Ethical, and Professional Evidence
Abortion is permitted in the United States following the grand ruling of the Supreme Court in the case of Roe v. Wade in 1973 (Russo, 2014). It was later reemphasized in another landmark Supreme Court ruling in the case Planned Parenthood v. Casey in 1992. Although a section of the society that identifies as pro-life may be against the practice, it is legally acceptable for one to get abortion services without any form of intimidation. Ethically, it is wrong to force someone who suffered an ordeal of rape to carry such pregnancy to term. From a professional point of view, it is wrong to deny women abortion services if her life is in danger.
Strategies and Solutions for Addressing the Issues and Other Ethical Issues
It is important to appreciate the fact that some members of society strongly recent abortion. However, the truth is that the services may sometimes be critical, and the United States’ laws recognize that fact. To address the controversy over this issue, it may be necessary to conduct public awareness campaigns to sensitize the society about the need to avoid behavior that may force one to have abortion. They society should also learn to appreciate that in some cases the service may be unavoidable.
References
Bowes, W. (2007). Pregnant women and cervical cancer: Balancing best interest of mother and fetus. American Medical Association Journal of Ethics, 9(9), 600-604.
Russo, J. (2014). Mandated ultrasound prior to abortion. American Medical Association Journal of Ethics, 16(4), 240-244.
Schwartz, E., & Vellody, K. (2016). Prenatal risk assessment and diagnosis of down syndrome: Strategies for communicating well with patients. American Medical Association Journal of Ethics, 18(4), 359-364. Web.