Should a doctor regard himself as having two patients when women come for prenatal care or does his fidelity remain mainly with the woman, unless she decides to put a greater priority on the unborn’s health and life than on her own?

What of therapeutic abortions, which take place after test have indicated a risk of birth defects or genetic diseases?
April 30, 2020
When infertile couples seek treatments, and they fail, should in vitro fertilization and surrogacy be legally available as an option, so that at least one member of the couple can have a child of his/her own?
April 30, 2020

Should a doctor regard himself as having two patients when women come for prenatal care or does his fidelity remain mainly with the woman, unless she decides to put a greater priority on the unborn’s health and life than on her own?

Should a doctor regard himself as having two patients when women come for prenatal care or does his fidelity remain mainly with the woman, unless she decides to put a greater priority on the unborn’s health and life than on her own?

 

Should a doctor regard himself as having two patients when women come for prenatal care or does his fidelity remain mainly with the woman, unless she decides to put a greater priority on the unborn’s health and life than on her own? What if she continues to smoke, drink, or do other things which put the fetus at risk and make it more likely that its future life after birth will be compromised? Should coercion in such case be considered to force her to be more responsible to the child she is carrying to term, or should she be educated and counseled on the likely consequences of her behavior and allowed to choose for herself? What of the extreme case of fetuses damaged by a crack addicted mother, so that they will later have learning disabilities? Would it be better to urge her to abort than carry to term? What if she repeatedly abuses the right to an abortion? Give reasons for holding your view.