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Liberty, utility, and justice: an ethical approach to unwanted pregnancy
Author(s) -
Macklin Ruth
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/0020-7292(89)90102-1
Subject(s) - abortion , economic justice , action (physics) , law and economics , law , pregnancy , unwanted pregnancy , sociology , political science , business , family planning , population , genetics , physics , demography , quantum mechanics , research methodology , biology
Three moral principles provide an ethical basis for the management of unwanted pregnancy. The principle of liberty guarantees a right to freedom of action; the utilitarian principle defines moral rightness by the greatest good for the greatest number; and justice requires that everyone have equitable access to necessary goods and services. Applied to unwanted pregnancy, these principles yield the conclusion that women have a natural right to reproductive freedom, and a social right to family planning and abortion services.