Ethical dilemmas in voluntary termination of pregnancy with severe congenital anomalies

Q3 Medicine

Ethics, Medicine and Public Health Pub Date : 2025-01-01 DOI:10.1016/j.jemep.2025.101084

N.A. Mappaware , T. Irianta , M. Avisha

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background

Congenital anomalies (CA) are structural or functional disorders from genetic defects of the fetus occurring in the uterine. However, screening for congenital disabilities to establish a prenatal diagnosis raises many moral considerations and ethical dilemmas in the field of medicine. A detected severe CA consequence to termination of pregnancy in the management option, making it an undoubtful ethical dilemma.

Methods

A literature search was carried out on Indonesian laws, ethical codes, and regulations related to congenital anomalies, utilizing resources such as the Indonesian Medical Association (Ikatan Dokter Indonesia) and the conference proceedings of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG). An extensive literature search was also utilized from PubMed, Clinical Key, and Elsevier Science journals with specific keywords.

Results

Ethical dilemmas often arise in the context of prenatal diagnosis, which involves a complex process across five distinct stages: disclosure of information to parents, establishing indications for examinations, providing information about a diagnosis, providing psychological and social support, and making diagnostic decisions. The framework proposed by Jonsen, Siegler, and Winslade can be applied to ethical decision-making in the present case.

Conclusion

The choice to terminate a pregnancy due to genetic anomalies or congenital disabilities must comply with the legal bases. The principles of autonomy of each patient and the results of the doctor's decisions have been carefully considered, and the obstetrician must make every effort to respect and protect the dignity of human life.

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来源期刊

Ethics, Medicine and Public Health Medicine-Health Policy

CiteScore

2.20

自引率

0.00%

发文量

107

审稿时长

42 days

期刊介绍： This review aims to compare approaches to medical ethics and bioethics in two forms, Anglo-Saxon (Ethics, Medicine and Public Health) and French (Ethique, Médecine et Politiques Publiques). Thus, in their native languages, the authors will present research on the legitimacy of the practice and appreciation of the consequences of acts towards patients as compared to the limits acceptable by the community, as illustrated by the democratic debate.