Q&A: Abortion
Abortion
Question
Is abortion morally permissible when the fetus has Tay-Sachs or another incurable disease, where in all likelihood it will live only a few years (apparently in suffering) and then die?
Is there a difference between aborting the sick fetus because the parents do not have the strength to care for it, and doing so out of compassion for the baby?
Answer
It is hard for me to answer. On the face of it, there is no situation that justifies murder, but there may be situations that justify suicide. Not having the strength to care for it does not justify it. Compassion for the baby perhaps does justify it, because we are acting as its agents in committing suicide (it cannot do so on its own). In my view, morally speaking this is not very different from euthanasia of a living person. Of course, withholding treatment (passive euthanasia) is reasonable, and if that is possible then in my opinion it is certainly permissible.
Discussion on Answer
I think so. The discussion takes place around King Saul, Masada, and so on.
So from a halakhic / Jewish law perspective as well (not only a moral one), are there situations that justify suicide, or acting as the baby's agents in committing suicide, and also euthanasia?