Release of abortion up to 12 weeks is not consensus among physicians

Regarding the recent positioning of the Federal Medical Council in favor of abortion on women's willingness to 12th week of pregnancy without medical authorization, it is essential to clarify that this is not the thought of all Brazilian doctors.

Medicine is a science of life that cares and respects priority. Children at up to 12 weeks of gestation are living beings. So approve the autonomy outright mother about pregnancy termination amounts to agree with the elimination of life without further justification. This practice is inconsistent with the principles of medicine, in the opinion of a significant portion of physicians.

Therefore, we consider the precipitate indicative of a medical entity, the forcefully as it did, on a subject so delicate and controversial subject, which should be widely debated by society as a whole. Doctors, like any other social group obviously have a right to express their opinions. However, by not reflect the consensus of medical professionals, the manifestation of CFM can confuse public opinion and even hurt the image of doctors to the population. The attitude of disregarding the moral and cultural diversity in the medical as well as the multiplicity argumentative, hurts even the speech of Bioethics, plural and deepened over abortion.

We advocate the termination of pregnancy in cases where there is a clinical indication, as anencephaly (malformation causing total or partial absence of the brain) and health risk and death for pregnant proven. Other situations should be discussed and decided upon by society, as occurred in relation to pregnancies caused by rape, now subject to legalized abortion.

Remember that women's autonomy over her body, a term cited by the Federal Council of Medicine, first allows her to use contraception, which is widespread in our country through the provision of contraceptive pills in the People's Pharmacy program and distribution campaigns condoms, to name a few. Since the decision to abort, even if only until the third month of pregnancy, involves not only the mother but the child in particular. It is the right to life.

It is also questionable establishing a limit as 12 weeks. Many of us wonder what the difference between a fetus of 12, 13 or 40 weeks. Others go further, inquiring about what differentiates an unborn baby that was born from another, in order that all our senses now develop inside the mother's womb, as well as our initial perceptions.

The argument that the measure would prevent the serious consequences of illegal abortions is insufficient to justify it. This is a challenge permeated by various social determinants, which must be faced by society, but can not be reduced to simplistic decision to allow the elimination of lives unconditionally. Respect for life must always guide this debate.

In the process of reform of the Penal Code, expect them to be preserved the views of all Brazilian doctors. Lawmakers and lawyers who focus on the issue should offer equitable opportunities for medical professionals to express themselves in their different visions. It is important that the debate has effective participation of all physicians, medical specialty associations and other representative bodies along the other sectors of society.

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