Abortion in adolescence: the ethical dimension.
The purpose of this essay is to present a bioethical approach to the abortion dilemma in adolescence. It is addressed to health workers involved in the medical care of adolescents and to those involved in adolescent counseling. The introduction presents an overview of the subject in the U.S.A., its medical significance (obstetric, gynecologic, psychologic) as well as some anthropological historico-legal data relating to adolescent abortion. This is followed by a practical description of ethical theory. The main body of the presentation consists of a review of the most important contributions of bioethical thought as they relate to abortion. Adolescent abortion in particular is addressed in the context of issues such as autonomy, rights and responsibility. This includes a description of moral development in adolescence and an analysis of moral aspects of treatment of adolescents. Some personal comments and propositions are made, with the aim of generating further contributions.
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D033421:Beginning of Human Life; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019369:Life; D009014:Morals; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D028723:Personhood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence; D011606:Psychosexual Development; D026712:Value of Life