Abstract

GOMEZ FAJARDO, Carlos Alberto. Critical notes about some sophistries in maternal-fetal medicine. Rev. Lasallista Investig. [online]. 2014, vol.11, n.1, pp.152-160. ISSN 1794-4449.

There are currents that influence the contemporary bioethical thinking and try to justify the practice of feticide, selective abortions "fetal reductions" and "pregnancy terminations" due to several reasons. They, usually, use arguments related to the "mother's autonomy" and to the, supposedly, late acquisition of the character of "patient" the fetus achieves. To criticize this tendency an article that summarizes influential ideas on the contemporary obstetric practices is taken as an example, and some of the sophistries argued by their authors, generating wrong reasoning and conclusions, are remarked. They finally deny those sophistries and contradict the Hippocratic ethos of respect for the lives of all human beings. This article aims to provide, in a non-extensive way, elements for the reflection and the critic against those positions and mistakes, remarking the importance of a real and Hippocratic sense in the attitudes and the skills of doctors, whose natural commitment is oriented, as much as possible and recognizing their natural limitations, towards the protection of the fetal patient's life, a human being since his/her ontological beginning and, therefore, a deserver of respect and protection.

Keywords : prenatal medicine; ethics; bioethics; respect; sophistries.

        · abstract in Spanish | Portuguese     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )