Q: Abortion is against the First Precept of not killing. But due to great advance in medical science, doctors are now able to tell whether a child will be born physically or mentally disabled. In such cases, is it better to abort the child, as bringing the child into this world will not only make him/her suffer, but will also bring suffering to the parents. What is the Buddhist view on this?
A: Even if a child is born deformed or disabled in some way, s/he should be given born to and to be loved – because the human rebirth is relatively very difficult to come by, as a golden opportunity to learn and practise the Dharma. The child should be exposed to the Dharma with as much compassion as possible; not disposed of. It is a mistake to assume we can definitely end the misery of the child (and parents) by abortion, because the child might still be handicapped in the next life if the unexhausted negative karma continues – which is much more likely than not.
What if the pregnancy was unplanned and carrying the child or the birth of the child may result in the death of the mother, who has to look after another young child?
Everything is cause and effect therefore not such thing as unplanned. Mind is the fore runner of your action. No matter what happened, one needs to have the positive mind of wisdom and compassion to accept and change the case for the better.
If pregnancy occurred, whether planned or unplanned, and the doctor advised that there is a very high risk of death to the mother, or child, or both, through the pregnancy. Then we may have to take the advise of the doctor if the risk is confirmed and real.
While we should avoid abortion, we should also avoid risking our life and/or the child which is not different. Precepts are for protection, not restriction. Precepts should be for the greater good. When used wisely, it becomes ours. This is the correct way for keeping precepts.
I share your view. The trouble with medical illness eg. cancer, is that no one knows for sure how the disease will turn out. Hence aborting the foetus when it’s likely to pose a danger to the mother leaves a nagging doubt of what if the prognosis is not that bad? But I guess we can only do our best under the circumstances and hope whatever action taken is done with wisdom.
Amituofo!
If a mother really loves the child, she would give up her life to give birth to the child. It might be quite a challenge for many though. The motherless child (if the mother dies) can always be given for adoption.
If the mother already has another child who needs taking care, the first and second child can still be given for adoption – while ensuring the first child understands and forgives the mother. This is even more challenging.
If both mother and child are at risk, the doctor’s advice is best heeded as to what is the best course of action – with lots of prayers for the best outcome – a miracle that doesn’t need any killing at all! Amituofo
(I)
This is not a so simple issue and I think there is no simple solution to it.
A lot of wisdom and compassion is need to handle such issue in depth and covering all parties in a case by case basis.
Yes, always strive for win-win situations as much as possible, and if it has to be a win-lose situation, it will depend on compassion and karma as to who ‘wins’ more and who ‘loses’ more. Amituofo