Bioethics, abortion and public policies in Latin America

Abstract

Bioethics in Latin America is strongly influenced by religious beliefs, leading to the most restrictive regulation globally of sexual and reproductive health and, most particularly, of abortion. Legal obstacles do not dissuade women from terminating unwanted pregnancies; each year more than 4 million illegal abortions take place, in which the poorest Latin American women risk their health and lives.

This text employs the term bioethics within the meaning given to it by its creator, V. R. Potter: “ethics based on scientific knowledge”. It proposes gradualism, sustained on scientific evidence contributed by embryology, genetics, and neurophysiology, as the most appropriate model for the regulation of abortion in Latin America. Gradualism respects every woman’s right to decide on questions related to maternity and holds sway in countries with the highest levels of sexual and reproductive health.

Latin America urgently needs effective measures to prevent unwanted pregnancies, which are the main cause of abortion: education on sexual and reproductive health; access to modern and effective contraceptives; and severe sanctions for sexual abuse of women, adolescents and girls.