Bioethical Issue of Abortion: A Teleological and Deontological Approach

Running head: BIOETHICAL ISSUE
Bioethical Issue
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Author Note

1BIOETHICAL ISSUE
The view of abortion is a widely discussed bio-ethical issue. This topic has multiple
point of view under different models of Christian moral life (Stensvold 2015). The following
essay will use two ethical view-points from deontological and teleological approach in order
to examine the bioethical issue of abortion. The framework chosen for the two ethical
approaches include natural moral law and utilitarianism and these two framework will try to
find moral balance in respect of abortion and adherent’s faith in life.
Natural Moral Law and Views on Abortion
The natural moral law is linked to the deontological approach in Christianity as it
gives an understanding regarding laws and obligations in Christianity which are not written
but inherent by human nature (d'Entreves 2017). This implies that these laws are understood
through the sense of reasoning and justice. Abortion is one biomedical issue which is
opposed by many because of ethical and moral view points. The Natural Moral law view on
abortion also differs based on threat to life perceptive. For instance, many Christian moral
theologians support women going for abortion if avoiding abortion may threat the life of a
mother. This Christian world view on abortion emerges from the general rule on self-defense
which is universally accepted because on the principle of moral reasoning and justice
(Sumner 2014).
The natural law related to life principle mainly states all beings to remain in existence.
From this perspective, this law favors self-preservation of each individual. The law as states
St. Thomas Aquinas states that all humans must emphasizes on nurturing and making
provisions for well-being in their offspring. Hence, this law of nature has inclination towards
human emotions and inclination. Another Natural law is related to the law of respect for life,
which takes offspring in a general way. From this perspective, it can be said that the two
natural laws brings forward conflicting viewpoints on abortion. Hence, based on moral

2BIOETHICAL ISSUE
grounds of fetus, abortion has been opposed. However, in certain case, abortion has been
accepted based on the moral ground for life principle and the needs to preserve humans.
Therefore, it can be concluded that a Christian can find a moral balance in respect to their
decision for abortion by stating about the risk to life of mother.
Natural moral law is based on the principle of morality. Guided by human nature, a
human can understand law and decision to conform with those laws. Natural law decides the
morality of any action by the Doctrine of Double Effect. The Doctrine of Double Effect is
based on four criteria. The ethics of any action is decided by analyzing whether the action is
morally good or neutral, whether the bad effect is means for producing good effect, good
effect is as important as the bad effect and the intention is to bring good effect (Habermas
2015). By the comparison of this perspective, the rationale for going against or for abortion is
dependent on pro-life and pro-choice concept. The people who favor pro-life concept opposes
abortion on the ground that mother does not have the right to take life of the fetus, whereas
those favoring pro-choice concept accepts abortion on the ground that women have the right
to choose what they want for the fetus. After analyzing the Christian people perspective on
abortion, there are many protestant and Evangelica Christains who oppose abortion. There are
also groups who support abortion (Ntontis and Hopkins 2018). Hence, although natural law
does not support abortion, however Christians are balancing moral values and their faith
based on the rational for harm to mother or the fetus.
The discussion gave an insight into the Natural moral views on abortion and
compared with Christian faith view on abortion. Although abortion is a sin from Christianity
concept, however there are many sections, who are supporting abortion based on the moral
judgment and the viewpoint of protecting mothers. Such moral rational based on right to life
principle have now been accepted. Abortion is opposed professionally and religiously in
many cultures, however the changing social norms and medical norms in society is making