OUR VIEW: Nicaraguan child needed abortion
Much debate has been refueled thanks to the anniversary of the famous Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade – the legalized abortion case, decided on Jan. 22, 1978.
Pro-life and pro-abortion proponents everywhere made sure their views were heard, and rightfully so. The ability to have legally performed abortions should mean something to every citizen of this great nation.
Taking a stand on an issue one has strong views about is something every person should have the gall to do.
However, in some cases, compromise is not only necessary, but ethical. Such is the case involving the 9-year-old Nicaraguan, who had an abortion after being raped.
Nicaraguan law states that only “therapeutic abortions” are legal in the country, and the definition of “therapeutic abortion” is vague to begin with.
The World Medical Association’s Web site provides a declaration on therapeutic abortion. It is located at www.wma.net/e/policy/17-d_e.html.
It’s first tenet is “The first moral principle imposed upon the physician is respect for human life from its beginning.”
Where does life begin, anyway? Thus, it is easy to see the difficulty in determining who should receive an abortion.
Because of this, a great deal of fiery debate has taken place over whether or not the girl’s abortion could be defined as a “therapeutic abortion.” Nicaragua’s government human rights prosecutor was in support of the abortion, while the country’s family minister was not.
When push comes to shove, this shouldn’t even be an issue. The girl, only 9 years old, was raped. Not only is it not her fault she was pregnant, her innocence was taken away from her.
It is something she can never replace. Never.
According to the Web site, “Circumstances which bring the vital interests of a mother into conflict with the vital interests of her unborn child create a dilemma and raise the question whether or not the pregnancy should be deliberately terminated.”
In cases like this, the question of whether or not abortion should be allowed should be a no-brainer. There is no way a 9-year-old is ready to be a mother. Leaving alone the fact she’d have to care for a newborn, is it possible her body would support the birth process? The Associated Press reported a committee of doctors in Nicaragua was undecided as to whether the girl could withstand either the birth or the abortion.
Evidently, she was able to survive the abortion and can continue to have a childhood until she decides for herself to be a mother.