Saint Louis University

SCHOOL OF NURSING

Journal Synthesis on Ethical Dilemma of Principles (Autonomy & Beneficence)

AMLA, Terry

CAMPANO, Raisse

FANGONIL, Daenielle

PAGUEL, Chloe

SUDLA, Charlaine

BSN 2-E

Submitted to:

Ma’am Joany Rabilas

2020
 Abortion has been one of the most controversial issues in the society since then. Abortion is

one of the commonest gynaecological procedures (Sedgh, et al., 2012). It has been legally accessed

across different regions of the world which involves the autonomy in making decisions for women.

In a study that took place in India, women are faced with difficulties in having abortion.

Though it has been already legal in other countries, India still has difficulties in performing it. The

autonomy of Indian women has been violated. In their culture, their right to abort the fetus depends

on their social norms rather than their own decision. If it will benefit their family from a bad

reputation, they can allow it. They only allow abortion if an unmarried woman or a widow got

pregnant in order to save the family’s reputation. It has been suggested that the choice to abort must

depend on the woman because of all who can best assess her condition, it is her who knows her body

the most.

With the creation of their Penal Code, whereas abortion is considered as a crime, the

principle of beneficence has finally emerged. Here, abortion is allowed under liberal conditions like,

when the mother’s life is at great risk; women below 18 years and mentally challenged to have legal

guardian’s permission; pregnancy caused by rape, or contraceptive failure in a married woman (both

presumably injuring mental health) and such.

Abortion law in India only recognizes abortion as legal, but it does not go as far as to

enhance woman’s quality of life and right to access services. Legal resistance has had adverse effects

on mental and emotional health of the abortion-seeking women which deprives them of their choice.

Another study discusses about the preferred selection of gender that is linked to selective

abortion in Indonesia which leads to gender discrimination and selective abortion. Indonesia’s

protocol doesn’t legalize selective abortion after selection failure due to non-medical reasons since

abortion can be done only if indicated including rape and gestational age of 40 days or less because

of medical emergency indications. In contrast, we must pay attention to children and their human
rights. It is better, if the parent’s freedom and self- determination are not used to obtain children’s

rights and freedom. The context of autonomy should not be given to adults only, but also to infants in

the womb who have had a life and had the rights to live (Pujiyono and Budiyanti, 2018).

The principle being acknowledged in both studies include autonomy and beneficence.

Autonomy involves the patient’s interests based on her values and beliefs. It also includes one’s right

to choose or refuse treatment. Autonomy in Medical Ethics states that, “the law and ethics of

medicine are dominated by one paradigm-the autonomy of the patient”. This is perhaps not surprising

given that “from the outset, the conceptual framework of bioethics has accorded paramount status to

the value-complex of individualism, underscoring the principles of individual rights, autonomy, self-

determination and their legal expression in the jurisprudential notion of privacy”. The patient-doctor

relationship only works when trust has been established.

In relation to beneficence, doctors should always think of the best interest of the patient as

the supreme consideration. Doctors should assess objectively and meticulously all the available

diagnostic and therapeutic options and to implement those that protect and promote the interest of the

patient by ensuring a balance of good over harm.

To sum it up, abortion depends on the mother since it is her right to decide for herself. A

nurse can practice autonomy by not participating in the procedure and if it is against one’s belief and

practice. Respecting the mother’s decision and giving the best care is what a nurse could offer despite

the situation and the doctor deciding what is best for the mother’s health. In this way, beneficence is

being utilized.
 References

Correa, F., (2013). Abortion From A Bioethical Viewpoint: Autonomy And Beneficency

Versus Justice?. Retrieved from https://www.longdom.org/open- access/abortion-from-

a-bioethical-viewpoint-autonomy-and-beneficency-versus-justice- 2155-

9627.1000151.pdf

Marecek, J., Macleod, C., & Hoggart, L. (2017). Abortion in legal, social, and healthcare

contexts. Feminism & Psychology, 27(1), 4–14. doi:10.1177/0959353516689521 

Patel, T. (2018). Experiencing abortion rights in India through issues of autonomy and

legality: A few controversies. Retrieved from

http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=4&sid=03e4e166-2f54-467c-985e-

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Patil, A., Dode, P., & Ahirrao, A. (2014). Medical Ethics in Abortion. Indian Journal Of

Clinical Practice, 25(6), 544-548. Retrieved from

http://medind.nic.in/iaa/t14/i11/iaat14i11p544.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1C9bGeGQN90RpAB-

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Pujiyono and Rani Budiyanti. (2018) Selective abortion after preimplantation sex selection:

An ethical and legal issue in Indonesia. Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334998089_Selective_Abortion_After_Preimpl

antation_Sex_Selection_An_Ethical_and_Legal_Issue_in_Indonesia