Abortion Complications are an Iatrogenic Disease

Pronunciation: I`atru'jenik

IATROGENIC DISEASE:  A negative condition arising from medical treatment.

All abortion complications are, by definition, iatrogenic diseases. Complications of pregnancy and delivery are natural diseases. This goes to the heart of the ethical reponsibilities of physicians who are not ethically responsible for natural diseases but are responsible for the iatrogenic complications caused by their treatments.

This is why Hippocrates taught "First, do no harm." The only justification for violating this ethical rule is when there is moral certainty that the harm done (cutting off a gangreous arm) averts significantly greater harm than it causes. (Doctors often fight disease with an iatrogenic disease -- for example, using poison to kill worms, changing cell metabolisms to offset a disease symptom.)

Notes: http://www.healthfullivingintl.org/philosophy.html see electronic papers: "Refusing treatment. when to say no."