Abortion In Judaism——religious Perspectives On Bioethics

Emerged in the1970s, bioethics is the study of typically controversial ethics brought about by advances in biology and medicine. It is based on a certain degree of culture and history, concerning with the value of life and choices, essentially reflects the intrinsic value of human rights and dignity. As an important practical issue in bioethics research, abortion is called "the most controversial ethical choice", discussion about this problem involves political, moral, human rights, law and religion.This paper provides a historical account of the Jewish response to abortion through the centuries, seeks to balance the reality and holy. Chapter I overviews the history of the abortion myth from different dimensions, and then comes to the religious concern on abortion and the value of life. In traditional Judaism, views on abortion draw primarily upon the legal and ethical teachings of the Hebrew Bible, the Talmud and the case-by-case decisions of responsa, discussing the value difference between mother’s life and the status of the fetus.Chapter Ⅱ focus on different movements in Modern Judaism and sum up the modern Jewish ethical propositions on abortion. With the emergence of modern Jewish identity in the late18th century, Jewish views on abortion have bifurcated along movement lines, especially between Orthodox Judaism and its more liberal counterparts. Orthodox Judaism permits abortion only in cases where continuing the pregnancy would put the mother’s life in serious danger. Conservative Judaism and Reform Judaism take the view that an abortion is justifiable if a continuation of pregnancy might cause the woman severe physical or psychological harm, or when the fetus is judged by competent medical opinion as severely defective. By the20th century, the intense focus on the abortion debate led to the crystallization of initial "Jewish position" on abortion, which characterized by distinctive features and have a great impact on bioethical issues.Chapter III compares the similarities and differences between Jewish and Christian views on abortion, to explore the ethical values of life from reality, beliefs and moral, as well as analyze the value orientation of "pro-life" and "pro-choice". In order to alert people to make ethical decisions in a prudent attitude, and find a more rational way to solve the abortion dilemma. Advocate to cherishing life as Judaism, and making the bioethics choices about life more responsible.This paper aims to consider the insights of Jewish ethical principles, in favor of saving, respecting and cherishing life, as well as call for more attention to the increasing rate of abortion. It is significant to establish a correct view on abortion and strengthen the life education.