29-01-2004 14:13									#121
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quote: Originally posted by Ben Kenobi Doctrine of double effect plays a big role in the euthanasia debate, where dosages of painkillers may hasten death. Doctors then need to make a distinction based on intent. The intent in the case of these painkillers is to relieve the pain of the patient, and as an unintended side-effect, they may hasten the death of the patient. In the case of ectopic pregnancy, the doctrine of double effect would prevent a doctor from applying chemical abortifacients in order to kill the unborn child after removing the fallopian tubes from the mother. Rather, they should simply leave the child, since we currently lack a way to save her life, while also saving the life of the mother.

It seems to me that your doctrine of double effect cannot be applies to the abortion.

In the euthanasia example, the intent and result is to reduce pain.

In the abortion example, there is no real benefit. The doctor has simply chosen abortion type A vs abortion type B. More than that, additional harm is done because it sounds like the operation leaves the woman sterile.

But, I'm not a philosophy expert so I probably missed something.