An ethical issue is defined by a situation that requires a person to choose between alternatives that must be evaluated as ethical (right) or unethical (wrong) where either decision will impact a group of people/a person. Ethics is taught as being the moral principles that govern a person’s behaviour or the conduction of an activity. Where moral principles mean the right and wrong that are accepted by an individual or society based on religion, culture and historic reasoning. People decide if things are right or wrong by considering the possible consequences, others approach ethics using the idea of rights and duties, where if someone has a right, then other people have a duty, a responsibility to ensure their right is upheld. Virtue ethics provides an approach focused on personal characteristics and behaviour rather than rules and consequences. …show more content…
Abortion is a topic being discussed majorly in government currently as people describe New Zealand’s abortion laws as “offensive” and “outdated”. Government is split on two sides as Bill English states that any liberalising of the legislation wasn’t going to happen on his watch. But it will on mine, Prime minister Jacinda Ardern promised. A January poll by ALRANZ found that majority of Kiwis believe abortion should be legal. Jacinda stated “That’s because abortion is healthcare. And the best healthcare is evidence-based and patient-focused. And that’s what we want to see driving the discussion to legalise this health condition in New Zealand.” Abortion is an ethical issue as it opens discussion for several questions including; is the fetus a person with rights? Does the woman have ethical obligations to the fetus? Does abortion treat the fetus in an unethical, callous way? Is it ethical to force a woman to give birth to an unwanted