A woman, who had already given birth to two children through caesarean found that she had been pregnant for eight weeks so she went to a clinic to have an abortion. After examination, the doctor told her that she was not pregnant; as a result, the doctor offered her the menstrual regulation therapy and decided to sterilize her. However, it was 20-weeks pregnant(1). During a brainstorming session concerning the above case to study the relationship between ethics and abortion, almost all of the doctors participating in the session said that according to medical principles, an abortion is allowed if the unborn is found to be abnormal(2). In the end, they agreed that item 6 of the medical ethics states that “doctors should abstain from committing sins”(2). Almost all of the doctors said that it was alright to have an abortion if a problem arises during pregnancy. They did not realize that having an abortion is a sin. They have to realize that ethics is a branch of philosophy and some ethical concepts have been widely accepted and practiced. Such ethics are fixed concepts which doctors have to follow strictly while philosophy in general can be changed through time and people’s attitudes. Doctors do not need philosophy in their practice but they have to be aware of its existence to get along well with others in society(3). Religious teachings are what we cannot violate in any case. For example, we are taught not to take life no matter what because it is a sin to take life. There are no exceptions in any religion. Ethics and our consciences tell us that what we are doing is good, bad, right or wrong. Ethical values have been used as a fixed measurement; however, sometimes society uses the benefits instead of ethical values to judge what is right or wrong(4). Using benefits as a measurement distracts us from the right track. However, it is hoped that medical staff are not be distracted by social attitudes(5).

Keyword: Ethics, Abortion