Ethical Dilemmas in Medicine: Legal but Immoral Practices

Is there anything truly legal yet morally questionable in today’s world? Examining cases like people finder apps and circumcision practices provides a deeper insight into the intersection of legality and morality. This article delves into these ethical dilemmas, exploring the reasons behind these practices and their ethical implications.

People Finder Apps: A Legal but Immoral Boundary

In the digital age, technology has advanced to an incredible extent, offering conveniences that were once unimaginable. However, this advancement comes with its own set of ethical challenges. One of these is the existence of people finder apps that provide personal information such as phone numbers and addresses. While sharing numbers can be considered acceptable, providing a person's address is crossing a morally perilous line.

Sharing a person's address can lead to serious repercussions, including stalking and even murder. This practice raises questions about privacy and the potential for harm. Although there are no explicit laws prohibiting the use of these apps, the ethical implications of enabling such predatory behavior should be taken seriously. Perhaps stricter regulations are necessary to protect individuals from potential threats.

Circumcision: A Medical Rite with Ethical Concerns

Circumcision, especially when performed on very young infants without any medical necessity, is a practice that warrants critical examination. This procedure, often carried out for religious reasons, involves the removal of the foreskin. The foreskin serves a medical purpose, providing a protective covering for the sensitive glans of the penis. Removing this part without a clear medical need can be seen as unnecessary and ethically questionable.

The arguments for circumcision, particularly in religious contexts, are deeply rooted. However, the absence of scientific evidence supporting the practice under normal circumstances raises ethical concerns. Cases of religious circumcisions are often performed repeatedly, and the medical practitioners involved may face moral dilemmas due to societal pressures. They may find it difficult to refuse non-medical circumcisions, knowing that such refusals could result in illegal and more harmful procedures carried out by unqualified individuals.

Female Genital Cutting: A Global Issue

Female genital cutting (FGC), also known as female circumcision, is a deeply troubling practice that affects millions of girls and women worldwide. Despite being illegal in most modern countries, it is still practiced in at least 28 African countries, primarily in the central region north of the equator. FGC is a violation of women's basic human rights and can lead to severe health complications, including infection, bleeding, and even death.

The issue is not just one of legality but also of healthcare professionals and communities performing these procedures under duress. Medical practitioners and non-medical individuals who oppose FGC may find themselves compelled to carry out the procedures to prevent even more harmful practices from taking place. This ethical failure highlights the complex and often unfortunate realities of societal and cultural pressures.

Conclusion: A Reflection on Ethical Practices

The stories of people finder apps, circumcision, and female genital cutting illustrate the intricate relationship between legality and morality. These practices are legally permissible but ethically questionable, demonstrating the limitations of legal frameworks in addressing deep-seated moral concerns. It is crucial for societies to engage in continuous ethical discussions and to explore ways to address these issues without compromising legal frameworks.

By examining these ethical dilemmas, we can better understand the complexities involved and work towards solutions that respect both the law and the principles of human dignity and well-being.