What is the difference between a direct and an indirect abortion?

Edwin F. Healy makes a distinction between “direct abortions” that is, abortion which is either an end or a means, and “indirect abortions”, where the loss of the fetus is then considered to be a “secondary effect.”

What does elective abortion mean in pregnancy?

The term elective abortion or voluntary abortion describes the interruption of pregnancy before viability at the request of the woman, but not for medical reasons. Most abortions done today are elective, and thus, it is one of the most frequently performed medical procedures. 2.

What is the definition of abortion in the Catholic Church?

The Catholic Church states that abortion is always wrong, because life begins at conception and is God given. This means that in the eyes of the Catholic Church abortion is classed as murder and goes against the commandment, Thou shalt not kill (Exodus 20:13).

What does the Catholic Church say about ectopic pregnancies?

Using the Thomistic Principle of Totality (removal of a pathological part to preserve the life of the person) and the Doctrine of Double Effect, the only moral action in an ectopic pregnancy where a woman’s life is directly threatened is the removal of the tube containing the human embryo (salpingectomy).

What defines a partial birth abortion?

The term “partial-birth abortion” refers generally to an abortion procedure where the fetus is removed intact from a woman’s body. The procedure is described by the medical community as “intact dilation and evacuation” or “dilation and extraction” (“D & X”) depending on the presentation of the fetus.

What is the Catholic Church’s stance on palliative care?

Since persons have the right and obligation to prepare for their death while fully conscious, they should not be deprived of consciousness without a compelling reason. However, palliative sedation, that is sedation for palliative purposes, can be morally permissible within the Catholic tradition.

What causes spontaneous abortion?

Spontaneous abortion is a pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestational age. Approximately half of the miscarriages are due to unknown genetic abnormalities. Alcohol or drug use, infections, chronic disease, environmental exposures, and structural uterine abnormalities are other important risk factors.

What is non elective abortion?

Non-elective induced abortions are defined as follows: When abortion is necessary to avert the death of the mother; When abortion is performed in a case of pregnancy which is the result of rape; or. When abortion is performed in a case of pregnancy which is the result of incest.

What is the double effect of ectopic pregnancy?

Ethical Conflicts in Treating Ectopic Pregnancy Seeing the fallopian tube as a pathology allows for the principle of double effect. This principle states that an action providing serious harm (killing the embryo) is permissible as an unintended consequence if it brings about a good result (saving the woman’s life).

Can an ectopic pregnancy be carried to term?

In rare cases, an ectopic pregnancy can occur on an ovary or in the abdominal cavity. This is a life-threatening condition. An ectopic pregnancy is not a pregnancy that can be carried to term (till birth) and can be dangerous for the mother if not treated right away.