The Autonomy of the Patient in Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy Care: What is the Position in the Holy Texts (The Torah, Bible and Koran)?

Abstract

The principle of personal autonomy in medical law has historically been defined in two ways: the impossibility of considering the human being as one thing and of harming his physical integrity and human tissues. The principle of unavailability of the human body makes the individual autonomous. Concerning abortion care, these two principles are forgotten in most countries of the world (60%, UN). On the contrary, the status of women is equal to that of the embryo in those countries where abortion is prohibited (e.g., UAE, USA, Poland). Women’s autonomy does not have the same consideration as that of the individual in most countries of the world. The interpretation of the holy texts served as justification for this difference in treatment. The analysis of holy texts and jurisprudences will make it possible to distinguish the theory of origin from the effectiveness that has been achieved in practice.