Abortion is being hugely misunderstood as the termination of a fetus' life. Abortion is actually the abortion of pregnancy which is mostly called termination to avoid the dreaded term. So when you "abort" a 36 week old fetus, it has a very high chance to survive with our current medical facilities.
The problem however is, the pregnant usually abort/terminate the pregnancy way before the age of viability resulting in the death of the fetus. This huge number largely overshadows the rare incidences where therapeutic abortion/termination is done since this intervention is the last resort a doctor would do and it is usually after consulting with the concerned family. Ultimately, medical doctors highly recommend the procedure when no other possible intervention is possible but the family has the last say.
As for the good and bad sides of abortion, I hugely believe in the preservation of life, so any other form of abortion aside from therapeutic abortion is something I am strongly against.
Oh, one more point, (I'm rumbling on now. 😂) Some countries allow abortion for fetuses that are found out to have huge genetic abnormalities. I am still divided on the matter, perhaps experience will teach me the answer in the coming years.
It's really great to hear your side about this a member of the medical field. It's very heartwarming to know that your morality will prove to be an excellent compass for you when you become a doctor soon.
I am aware of abortus referring to the term of a fetus before age 36/37 otherwise termed as age of viability but thanks for bringing that up. I guess people need to be informed more about terminologies and probably why health education plays an important role.
And I have the same sentiments with you with regards to genetic abnormalities. We already tackle genetic counselling and I have read sections of our discussion terminating the pregnancy with genetic disorders especially when metabolic conditions are found.
It's a really difficult when ethics comes around. But all this take made me reconsider my stand on abortion. No life should be compromised in an effprt to save another. Perhaps advancements in technology will prove to be effective in finding means to prevent morbidity, without the expense of lives.
Do rumble on haha. Im very glad that you shared your thoughts about the topic