Dorothy (aged 17) has discovered that she is in 23 weeks pregnant. She is a Type-1 diabetic. Since a very young age, Dorothy has been devoutly religious. Part of her religion's doctrine is the belief that all life is a divine gift.However, her religion also teaches that sex before marriage is a terrible sin, punishment for which will be enacted against any child born of unmarried parents by disfiguring that child with bodily malformations.The religious myth ran that previously a child of unmarried parents had been born with a growth resembling a pig's tail.

Since turning 16, Dorothy has given little thought to these religious beliefs.She no longer attends religious services with her family and has had a number of sexual encounters without real concern about the implications.Now pregnant, Dorothy is torn.On the one hand, her gut reaction is to seek an abortion from her GP.She is worried that she will be cast out of her family and the local community for her 'sinful' behaviour.She is also partly concerned that if she carried the child to term it would be born with one of the prophesied deformities.

Having discovered the pregnancy, her parents are distraught and incredibly angry at Dorothy.But, they forcefully believe that she must now carry the child to term.If she must continue with the pregnancy, then Dorothy would want a vaginal delivery, believing this to be 'natural' and may redeem both herself and her child from divine punishment.However, her midwife has already told Dorothy that as a diabetic woman, there is a significant risk of the foetus being larger than normal and would require a caesarean section delivery to avoid injury to the child.This has been written into her birth plan, despite Dorothy's objections.

Advise the hospital as to the legal and ethical issues presented by Dorothy's circumstances. In particular, consider whether it would be lawful to perform an abortion on Dorothy; and, as an alternative, consider whether it would be lawful to go ahead with a C-section delivery at the appropriate time. This is a medical law question in a Law LLB University course. it is a formative assessment and i need some guidance when answering the question. Could you help by following this criteria as i am aiming for a First Exceptional First class grade. 1) Exceptional breadth and depth of knowledge and an understanding of the area of study going beyond expectations as regards both independence and originality of learning. No errors 2)Exceptional evidence of ability to apply the law and to reach logical conclusions 3)Arguments are clear and well-reasoned and go beyond expectations as regards both depth and independence of thought. 4)Exemplary level of clarity and accuracy of expression; may achieve a professional standard. Flawless use of written English.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

In advising the hospital on the legal and ethical issues presented by Dorothys circumstances its crucial to consider both the legal framework and the ethical principles involved Heres a structured app... View the full answer