Q&A: Abortions
Abortions
Question
It was reported today about a secretary who leaked details about women who were going to undergo abortions to an organization that would try to persuade them not to go through with the abortion. Of course, in the media this is being presented with shock, as a serious violation of the law. The question is: from the perspective that sees abortion as murder, or close to that, is it moral to leak someone’s personal details in order to try to prevent an abortion?
Answer
There is a problem here of the ethics of someone holding a public position, but on the other hand there is an obligation to prevent a crime. I tend to think that yes, it is proper to do this. After all, if it is permissible to harm a pursuer, why should it be forbidden to reveal that person’s details?
In my view, the main question is of course whether it will help. Otherwise there is no justification for violating the rules of ethics.