Blogging Assignment 5

Banning abortion may increase the illegal abortion that lead women in dangerous. According to the article of The Japan Times, the number of unauthorized abortion pill that are sold via internet is increasing. Although, pills are much cheaper than abortion surgery and sounds convenient, it is risky. For example, a pill known as Mifeprex that is officially approved by U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reported to cause heavy bleeding and require surgery for one out of one hundred women. Therefore, taking pill is dangerous, and at least they need doctor’s diagnosis. Kunio Kitamura, head of the Clinic of the Japan Family Planning Association said the reasons why women chose illegal pills are that they do not want to see doctors or be known their pregnancy to family members. I think this situation must be changed by setting some organization that women can consult easily about their worry of pregnancy or abortion, and banning the sale of pills via internet.   

Works Cited

“Use of unapproved abortion pills bought via the Internet seen rising”. The Japan Times Online. 26 Sept. 2004. Web. 23 Jan. 2012

Blogging Assignment IV

Organ donation is morally acceptable in both cases of brain death and death from heart failure because the action saves people’s life and brain death is equal to human death. First, considering the outcome of organ transplantation, it is ethically right thing to do. Shannon describes the idea of Consequentialism: greatest good for the greatest number of people. Applying the idea to an organ transplantation case, if organ transplantation is not allowed, they let two people die instead of saving one by the transplantation. Also, I think brain death is equal to human death because their basic function is already gone, especially one fails in whole brain death situation. They do not have potential to breath, eat, say or think. I cannot think people in such situation live on their own will, but they are forced to live because they lose autonomy; the ability of “determine a course of action in accordance with a plan of his or her own choosing” (Shannon 17-3). They do not have such important elements that individual should have. Therefore, I do think organ transplantation is acceptable.

Blogging Assignment III

It is a New York Times’ article that tells Japanese Buddhism memorial service for aborted children called Mizuko Kuyou. In Buddhist view, babies who die before birth go to other world, so people pray for their spirits to have safe trip. People who appeared in the article are parents who did abortion or a doctor who carry out abortion. They show deep regret and sorrow. For example, a man who came to the temple to pray said with tears that "The fact that you have murdered someone will be with you all your life -- it will not disappear" (Wudunn). Abortion deprive a human life (at least possible human life), moreover it leave deep scar on people’s mind. I think not all of them are Buddhist and believe its view, but they may be urged  to pray by sorrow and regret. I am sad for the situation that those warm-heart people ought to have chosen abortion. 

Works Cited 
Wudunn Sheryl. "In Japan, a Ritual of Mourning for Abortions - New York Times". The New York Times. January 25 1996. Web. 9 January  2012.