Contributions and Limits of Epidemiology in Societal Controversy

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Citation

Thorp, John M., Jr. (2017). Contributions and Limits of Epidemiology in Societal Controversy. Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 31(6), 493-494.

Abstract

Termination of pregnancy (TOP), or the more common and confusing name in the US -- abortion -- usually preceded by adjectives such as 'elective' or 'therapeutic,' is a procedure fraught with societal controversy and conflict. The fuel for this conflagration arises not from biology or epidemiology, but on the differences about what status the embryo or fetus should be assigned vis-a-vis the moral status of his or her mother, specifically her autonomy. Perinatal epidemiology lacks the tools to answer this metaphysical question, which can only be informed by culture, ethics, and religion.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ppe.12419

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2017

Journal Title

Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology

Author(s)

Thorp, John M., Jr.

ORCiD

Thorp - 0000-0002-9307-6690