Work

The Bioethical concept of life for life: Abortion when the mother’s life is in danger in Judaism, Catholicism, and Islam

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: I In nt tr ro od du uc ct ti io on n M odern medical practice is becoming increasingly diverse.The various ethnic, racial, and religious identities within the patient population lead to a myriad of value systems being at play in the clinical realm.At times these value and cultural differences between the practitioner and the patient can lead to ethical challenges, and in order to find amicable solutions, understanding each party's moral values and ethical constructs is of utmost importance.Modern medical ethics, in its secular form, has focused on the establishment of values and princi-ples that can guide physician-patient interactions within this multicultural context.The most popular model is that expounded by Beauchamp and Childress, which promotes nonmaleficence, beneficence, respect for autonomy, and justice as its four guiding principles. 1 However, religious beliefs do not fit easily within this four-principle model.As a result, various faith groups have tried to profess medical ethics based upon their own sacred law and ethical structure.2 This paper discusses the way that Orthodox Judaism, Catholicism, and Sunni Islam approach medical ethics and examines their stance on issues of dire necessity relating to abortion whereby the clinical context is deemed substantial enough to overturn the normative prohibition against abortion.J Ju ud da ai is sm m Judaism refers to the religious system set forth by the Hebrew Scriptures of Ancient Israel (also T Th he e B Bi io oe et th hi ic ca al l C Co on nc ce ep pt t o of f L Li if fe e f fo or r L Li if fe e i in n J Ju ud da ai is sm m, , C Ca at th ho ol li ic ci is sm m, , a an nd d I Is sl la am m: : A Ab bo or rt ti io on n W Wh he en n t th he e M Mo ot th he er r' 's s L Li if fe e i is s i in n D Da an ng ge er r

Source: Journal of the Islamic Medical Association of North America

DOI: 10.5915/42-3-5351

Authors: Rhami Khorfan, Aasim I. Padela

Institutions: Wayne State University, University of Michigan

Language: English

Topic: Ethics and bioethics in healthcare

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: University of Michigan