MME Scenario Collection


The intercultural difference for the voluntary termination of pregnancy

A doctor is sent on mission to a country where abortion is considered to be permitted and normal – even until and during the 8th month of a pregnancy. In the doctor's country abortion is only legally permitted during the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy.

One can thus imagine a situation, during the mission, where the doctor refuses to assist in an abortion with reference to his/her own moral and legal standards. But this can pose a problem. In fact, the doctor is present in the country by request of the host nation. What they expect is the provision of/ or assistance in a technical act and not an ethical/ moral/ legal assessment – which is already provided by the legislation of the host nation.

Source: Adapted from: Patrice Andrieu de Levis (1999): Ethique de la médecine des Armées. Bordeaux: LEH édition, p.234.

Questions for the discussion of this scenario

1. According to which ethical and/or legal standards should the doctor act?
2. Can the doctor morally refuse to participate in the abortion?



Page ID: 82
Last updated: 27 Jul, 2017
Revision: 3
Military Medical Ethics Scenarios -> Lack of knowledge and awareness in law, ethics, and intercultural differences -> Lack of knowledge/ awareness in intercultural differences -> The intercultural difference for the voluntary termination of pregnancy
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