Artificial Abortion and Euthanasia - How Can We Face These Issues in Korea?

ABSTRACT

Artificial abortion and euthanasia are serious ethical Issues in medical field. However, the ways to solve them would be different according to the culture and customs of a country. In Korea, the rate of artificial abortion is so high that many people tend to consider it as a personal misfortune rather than an ethical mischief. National policy to control the population and souety's traditional preference for sons over daughters have fostered the tendency. For euthanasia, especially "passive euthanasia", most Korean people think it acceptable if under proper condition, and many doctors consent to it. In such circumstances, it is not much of necessity to debate on the ethical righteousness of artificial abortion or woman's right to choose it. More important thing is how we can reduce the number of abortion cases and protect woman's health against the side effects of "unnecessary" abortion. Proper education, public relation, and cooperation with civil or religious groups will be helpful to achieve this goal, and we physicians should try to do it. "Passive euthanasia" is thought to be ethically acceptable in the view of traditional customs, social justice, and welfare of the patient. However, "active euthanasia" harbors great ethical risks in current situation. Therefore, we should prepare and establish a proper process and system that patients, doctors, and the whole society can accept. "Advance directives" or "living will" would be good options if well modified to our culture. For all these, the education and training of professinals in this area is urgent.