A contemporary ethical issue that is taking place in New Zealand is abortion. An ethical issue is a problem or situation that needs a person or organization to choose between alternatives that must be assessed or judged as right (ethical) or wrong (unethical). It is an ethical issue because religions have different perspectives and beliefs. A contemporary ethical issue is an issue that is happening right now. Abortion is when a pregnancy is ended before the fetus (unborn child) is born and can live outside the mother. Sometimes it is called 'termination of pregnancy '. Abortion is legal in NZ only in the case where a pregnant woman faces a danger to her life, physical or mental health. It is also legal if there is risk to …show more content…
The contraception, sterilization and abortion act 1977, established the abortion supervision committee that reports annually to NZ’s parliament. This committee sets up and maintains the list of certifying consultants who decide whether a woman meets the law for an abortion under the Crimes Act 1961.
The discussion of abortion in New Zealand came about in 1803 and was made legal in 1977.There are also other ways to proceed with an abortion such as surgical and medical abortions.
A medical abortion takes place during the first 49 days of pregnancy. Medical abortion uses two drugs called, methotrexate or mifepristone but another drug misoprostol can also be used. These drugs cause abortion without any surgery such as dilation and vacuum and take longer to work than surgical abortion.
The most common type of abortion is called the vacuum aspiration (suction method). It is a surgical abortion that involves anaesthesia which is a drug that helps ease pain. It is performed within the first trimester of pregnancy.
A vacuum aspiration involves opening the uterus and being widened about a quarter inch. An arrow tube is inserted through the pregnant women and cervix to the uterus. Then, the contents of the internal lining are vacuumed out. This procedure takes a couple of …show more content…
Common Good means working for the good of all. This means respecting the rights and responsibilities of all people and humans. In this case, it relates to the baby and its life and even potential success in society, community and the world. Another ethical principle that links to this is Human Dignity. Human Dignity means understanding that each person is made in Gods image, which means that every person has an innate (fixed) human dignity that no one can take away. As we know that the Catholic Church opposes and condemns anything that involves abortions, they also believe that if a pregnancy that has resulted from rape, incest and a present danger to the life of the mother is still not a reason for abortion. The Catholic Church teaches and believes that human life starts and is created at the moment of conception (fertilization). It is seen as ending and terminating an unborn human life and therefore that means that it is sin, unethical, wrong and breaks the 5th Commandment “You shall not kill” (Exodus 20:13) as mentioned before. If any woman is planning to have an abortion, it is recommended that she consults with the Catholic Church and reach out to organisations and family groups like the NZ Catholic Church and Project Rachel. Project Rachel’s mission is to build a place of life and love by presenting and defending the dignity of human life from the moment of conception until natural death. They