Therapeutic abortions are performed in the second trimester to preserve the health or life of the pregnant woman. It is also performed when the fetus is determined to be nonviable or have significant defects. The Late-Term Abortion or the “partial-birth abortion” is the removal of the fetus, usually between the twentieth …show more content…
Hippocrates was a pre-Socratic philosopher and a follower of Pythagoras. According to The Hippocratic Oath, one of the most widely known Greek medical texts written by Hypocrites, every health care professional has the duty to ensure the safety of every patient. Unlike other philosophers, Hippocrates did not simply make subtle references regarding the issue of abortion. Instead, he specifically addressed the issue and wrote, “I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody who asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy. In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art” (Hippocrates). This direct quotation unambiguously expresses Hypocrites view on abortion and his belief that every life is sacred and should not be disturbed regardless of fetal stages of development.
On the other hand, Hippocrates’s sworn duty to his patients and his refusal to grant their wishes in regard to abortion seem a bit controversial. still, Hippocrates stance against abortion was related to his belief of the “soul”. Hippocrates, like his teacher Pythagoras placed a lot of emphasis on the soul. They both believed that the soul was pure and it gave rise to everything that is good in nature. The soul, according to them was the source of life, morality and ethic. Hippocrates also believed that the “soul” entered the body at conception and …show more content…
According to the British Broadcasting Company, “The Roman Catholic Church says that deliberately causing an abortion is a grave moral wrong.” (BBC, 2014). With conservative views, Roman Catholics believe in the doctrine on natural law. This law is determined only by reason, indicating that killing is against natural law since it interrupts the natural process of nature. The church believes that human life begins when the woman’s egg is fertilized by the sperm. Since the sixteenth century, anyone caught having an abortion was excommunicated (BBC,