Is Late Third Trimester Abortion a Form of Eugenics?

No, it is an act of compassion. This statement may seem stark, given the emotional and ethical complexity involved in discussions around late-term abortion. However, it’s crucial to understand the perspective of both the medical community and the individuals affected. Late third trimester abortion can be a compassionate response to a heart-wrenching situation where continued pregnancy would inevitably lead to extreme pain and suffering for the child and the mother.

Understanding the Context

Consider the case of a pregnant mother who learns, in her eighth month, that her baby is suffering from a severe congenital malformation that makes it incompatible with life. The mother is faced with the agonizing reality of her child living a short, suffering existence, unsupported by medical intervention. The physical and emotional toll on the mother is immense.

An example of such a condition is spina bifida, where the baby’s back can twist so much that the baby dies before birth. In such a scenario, the woman is left with a misshapen, dead baby that must be delivered by c-section. The physical anguish and emotional trauma for the mother are indescribable.

Medical Implications and Ethical Considerations

In the United States, medical practice consistently aims to preserve the life of any viable fetus from 20 weeks of gestation onward. The point of viability is defined as 24 weeks, at which time infants can survive under intensive care. However, in situations where the survival of the fetus is questionable and the baby’s quality of life is also at stake, the decision to proceed with a late third trimester abortion is not a light one.

Contrary Views and Misinformation

It is important to address the misconception that some in the medical field would be complicit in the slicing, dicing, impaling, decapitating, or mutilating of a fetus. This is a falsehood perpetrated by those with a hidden agenda, seeking to manipulate public fear and ignorance. Physicians do not induce labor in viable preterm fetuses with the intent to destroy them; such acts are contrary to medical ethics and practice.

Decisions Based on Compassion and Value

In truly tragic circumstances, parents may learn that their developing child will not survive to be born or will face an insurmountable amount of suffering if born. This news is a seismic shift in the delicate balance of hope and despair that exists for expectant parents. Pregnancy is a deeply emotional process, and the idea of bringing a child into the world to face a life of suffering is often unbearable.

Many parents, guided by their values and what they believe is in the best interest of their child and family, may decide that continuing the pregnancy is not appropriate. In such cases, the medical community, particularly high-risk maternal-fetal medicine specialists, can offer a compassionate choice. Termination of a non-viable fetus under such circumstances is not intended as eugenics but as a means to alleviate suffering.

Other Considerations and Emotional Impact

The question of whether aborting a fetus in such circumstances constitutes eugenics is a complex one. Eugenics is the practice of selective breeding or active genetic manipulation to influence the traits of future generations. In the case of late third trimester abortion, the genes of the fetus do not cause the condition; rather, developmental insults and mistakes are to blame. This makes eugenics a mischaracterization.

Misinformation and Manipulation

The term “eugenics” is often thrown around in misleading ways to evoke fear and emotion, typically by those with hidden agendas. The imagery and rhetoric used can be misleading and aim to provoke visceral reactions without factual grounding. It is essential to separate fact from fiction when discussing such complex medical and ethical issues.

The Monsters in the Equation

Who are the real monsters in the equation—the grieving parents who face a tragic reality, the compassionate medical providers who seek to alleviate suffering, or the people who use sadistic imagery to manipulate reactions and further their political or religious agendas?

No. Unequivocally, the compassionate decision to terminate a non-viable fetus in the late third trimester is an act of compassion, not eugenics. The focus should be on offering support, care, and understanding to those facing such a heart-wrenching decision.

References and Credits

Image Credit: SSMJ
Image Credit: CDC graphic of babies affected by Zika
Image Credit: Science direct

Note: The images provided represent severe congenital malformations and may be graphic. Please exercise discretion when viewing.