ETHC 445 Week 5 Course Project Milestone: Annotated Bibliography

Student Name

Chamberlain University

ETHC-445 Principles of Ethics

Prof. Name:

Date

Introduction

Abortion is a medical procedure used to end an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy, and it has been described in various ways throughout history. Despite its importance, it has long been a controversial and taboo subject. Opinions on abortion are deeply divided, with groups advocating for both pro-abortion and anti-abortion stances. One of the most prominent legal cases on abortion in the United States was Roe v. Wade, a landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. The ruling concluded that a fetus does not have the same legal rights as a person, which made abortion legal. However, this topic has been brought into the public spotlight again in recent years, particularly as several states have enacted laws making abortion illegal. Some states even impose severe penalties, including jail time, on women who experience miscarriages, even when they are not at fault. This has resulted in a growing number of women seeking unsafe methods of abortion, leading to unnecessary health complications and deaths.

Interestingly, many of the most vocal advocates for making abortion illegal are men, individuals who do not have reproductive organs. Some have even pushed for the removal of exceptions, such as allowing abortion in cases of rape or incest, further intensifying the controversy. This shift raises important questions about women’s control over their bodies and the morality of government interference in reproductive rights. The current climate is one in which legal abortion is increasingly seen as immoral, despite having once been viewed as morally acceptable. As stated by Ruggiero (1992), “On the other hand, abortion used to be moral but now it is immoral.” This stark contrast highlights the paradox surrounding abortion laws, making it a crucial issue in the ongoing conversation about women’s rights and bodily autonomy.

Thesis

The purpose of this paper is to explore the paradox surrounding abortion and the importance of keeping it a legal and accessible option for women. It will discuss why men should not have the authority to make decisions about women’s bodies, and examine the negative consequences of making abortion illegal. This paper will also explore the ethical and social implications of limiting women’s reproductive rights and the potential adverse effects on their health and well-being.

Annotations

Author	Year	Article Title	Summary
Nuccetelli, S.	2017	Abortion for fetal defects: two current arguments	Nuccetelli (2017) examines the ethics of aborting a child with potential disabilities. Some argue it is immoral to bring a child into the world knowing they will face severe impairments, while others believe disabled individuals can still lead fulfilling lives.
Manninen, B. A.	2015	The Replaceable Fetus: A Reflection on Abortion and Disability	Manninen reflects on abortion in the context of disability, suggesting that while she supports a woman’s right to choose, she is uncomfortable with abortion based solely on a potential disability. She argues this view reinforces the stigma that disabled lives are less valuable than non-disabled ones.
McKinney, C.	2016	Selective Abortion as Moral Failure?	McKinney critiques selective abortion in the context of disability, arguing it perpetuates the stigma that disabled lives are tragic. She emphasizes the importance of allowing women the time and space to consider the full implications of raising a child with disabilities.
Crossley, M.	2015	Normalizing Disability in Families	Crossley discusses how parents may benefit from reconsidering the decision to abort a child with a disability. She believes that such parents should reflect on the potential for stronger emotional bonds with their child, rather than seeing the disability as a burden.
Amnesty International	2019	10 things you need to know about abortion laws in the US	This article discusses the current state of abortion laws in the U.S. It highlights the increasing difficulty for women to access safe abortions, with many states now banning the procedure even in cases of rape or incest. The article emphasizes the growing risks faced by women due to these restrictive laws.

References

Nuccetelli, S. (2017, March 28). Abortion for fetal defects: two current arguments. SpringerLink. Retrieved December 1, 2019, from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11019-017-9765-2

Manninen, B. A. (2015). The Replaceable Fetus: A Reflection on Abortion and Disability. Disability Studies Quarterly, 35(3). 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, 36(4). Retrieved December 1, 2019, from http://dsq-sds.org/article/view/3885/4213