ABORTION

• Bioethical issues


  Ethical dispute that requires the application of ethical principles for its resolution
• Stands on abortion

  • Pro-life
  • Pro-choice
• Abortion


  Termination of pregnancy before fetal viability, also known as willful killing or violent expulsion from the maternal womb, results in death
• Forms of abortion

  • Natural causes (spontaneous abortion or miscarriages)
  • Overt acts (intentional and unintentional abortions)
  • Performed for personal reasons (elective abortion)
  • Medical reasons (therapeutic abortion)
• Abortion is completely illegal under the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, Act. No. 3815 of December 8, 1930, Articles 256 – 259, which imposes imprisonment for women who undergo abortion and those who assist in the procedure
• Articles in the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines related to abortion

  • Art. 256. Intentional abortion.
  • Art. 257. Unintentional abortion.
  • Art. 258. Abortion practiced by the woman herself of by her parents.
  • Art. 259. Abortion practiced by a physician or midwife and dispensing of abortives.
• The Philippine Commission on Human Rights (PCHR) supported decriminalizing abortion in 2025
• The Center for Reproductive Rights and PINSAN argue that denying abortion access is a violation of fundamental rights
• President Marcos Jr. has expressed openness to abortion in certain cases
• Principle of no abortion

  Prevents the Philippines from adopting the US Supreme Court ruling in the 1973 landmark case Roe vs. Wade
• Therapeutic abortion


  Ending pregnancy on purpose preventing direct harm to either mother or child
• Conscientious objection


  The right of medical staff to refuse participation in abortion for personal belief
• Gestational limits


  The legal timing of abortions, ranging from the first trimester to specific weeks or months of pregnancy
• Reasons for abortion

  • Protecting the woman's life or health
  • Fetal abnormalities
  • Pregnancy resulting from rape or incest
• Ethical considerations about abortion

  • Right to life
  • Bodily autonomy
  • Personhood
  • Quality of life
  • Health risks
  • Impact on society
  • Religious and cultural beliefs
  • Compassion and empathy
  • Rights of the unborn
• Risks of safe and legal abortion

  • Minor complications
  • Serious complications
  • Emotional impact
• Risks of unsafe or illegal abortions

  • Health complications
  • Long-term health consequences
  • Legal consequences