Abortions Via Remote Medicine: Needed Step or Unethical?

June 9, 2010— -- Abortions provided via video conference have raised new questions in a contentious debate.

As reported in today's New York Times, after a video consultation, abortion doctors in an Iowa Planned Parenthood clinic are providing women in far-flung parts of the state with the drugs needed to end their pregnancies.

Communicating via webcams, women confirm their circumstances and their desire to have the abortion. With the click of a mouse, doctors can remotely open a modified cash register drawer to dispense the needed medication, the Times reported.

Proponents of abortion rights argue that such a process provides women in remote areas with options that would otherwise be unavailable.

Opponents call the concept unethical and dangerous, raising questions about whether doctors are fully considering a woman's health and giving each patient adequate, personalized care.

So, our question to you today: Are remote abortions a needed step or are they unethical?