Question
I have a relative who became pregnant due to incest. She doesn’t know if the child is hers or her brother-in-law’s, and she’s terrified the child might be her own. She has asked her sister to abort the pregnancy, but her sister insists on carrying the child to term, as she and her brother-in-law have been married for three years without children. She consulted with a doctor, who said the child is healthy and recommended she have peace of mind about giving birth. She is very confused and worried, as she fears the child might have deformities or other health issues after birth, and she doesn’t know what will happen if her brother-in-law finds out the child isn’t his, potentially leading to the breakdown of their marriage. She’s unsure of what to do.
Answer
The doctor advises that it would be best to terminate the pregnancy as soon as possible, as both morally and legally, such relationships and pregnancies between family members are not permitted and may have negative effects on the child’s health, such as deformities, mental retardation, or stillbirth risks. Moreover, such actions can cause unnecessary disputes and harm within the family and society. If the child is born, it may bring about more problems and disturbances.