Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Unfinished feticide.

R P Jansen1

  • 1Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Journal of Medical Ethics
|June 1, 1990
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

mRNA localization: message on the move.

Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology·2001
Same author

Spontaneous miscarriage of a cervical pregnancy and continuation of intra-uterine pregnancy following in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer.

The Australian & New Zealand journal of obstetrics & gynaecology·2001
Same author

De novo recurrent germline mutation of the BRCA2 gene in a patient with early onset breast cancer.

Journal of medical genetics·2001
Same author

Origin and persistence of the mitochondrial genome.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2000
Same author

Germline passage of mitochondria: quantitative considerations and possible embryological sequelae.

Human reproduction (Oxford, England)·2000
Same author

She2p, a novel RNA-binding protein tethers ASH1 mRNA to the Myo4p myosin motor via She3p.

The EMBO journal·2000
Same journal

Assisted dying and autonomy as an end in itself: a response to Donaldson.

Journal of medical ethics·2026
Same journal

Ethics briefing.

Journal of medical ethics·2026
Same journal

Medical ethics and categorisation.

Journal of medical ethics·2026
Same journal

Suspension or prioritisation? Exploring the ethics of age-based rationing in adult ADHD services.

Journal of medical ethics·2026
Same journal

Ethics of not knowing who we are talking to in qualitative research.

Journal of medical ethics·2026
Same journal

Suicide is not a public health issue and perhaps very few things should be.

Journal of medical ethics·2026
See all related articles

Physicians face legal risks from unintended fetal survival after abortion procedures or selective pregnancy reduction. Surviving infants, potentially abnormal, can lead to negligence lawsuits against medical professionals.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Ethics
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Legal Medicine

Background:

  • Intentional interference with the intrauterine environment, such as induced abortion or selective pregnancy reduction, can result in unintended fetal survival.
  • Mistakes in gestational age, changes of heart after abortifacient use, or selective reduction in multiple pregnancies can lead to live births.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the potential for fetal survival following interventions aimed at terminating pregnancy or reducing multiple gestations.
  • To analyze the legal implications for physicians when a fetus survives these procedures, potentially resulting in a child born with abnormalities.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scenarios involving induced abortion and selective pregnancy reduction.
  • Analysis of potential legal ramifications for physicians based on case outcomes.
Keywords:
Analytical ApproachGenetics and ReproductionLegal ApproachAbortion, Drug Induced--complicationsAbortion, Drug Induced--legal aspectsAbortion, InducedAge FactorsDelivery Of Health CareDemographic FactorsDeveloped CountriesEnglandEuropeFamily PlanningFertility Control, PostconceptionFetusHandicappedHealthHealth PersonnelInfantMedical LiabilityNorthern EuropePhysiciansPopulationPopulation CharacteristicsPregnancyPregnancy, First TrimesterPregnancy, MultiplePregnancy, Second TrimesterReproductionUnited KingdomYouth

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Fetal survival can occur due to mistaken gestational age, incomplete abortion procedures, or selective pregnancy reduction.
  • Physicians performing these procedures risk legal action, including negligence or assault claims, from surviving children with deformities.

Conclusions:

  • Medical termination of pregnancy and selective pregnancy reduction carry substantial legal risks for practicing physicians, distinct from standard induced abortion risks.
  • The potential for birth of an abnormal child following these procedures creates a unique medico-legal hazard for healthcare providers.