Which set of bioethical principles is commonly cited regarding abortion?

• A. Veracity, Confidentiality, Autonomy
• B. Autonomy, Justice, Utility
• C. Beneficence, Non-maleficence, Fidelity
• D. Paternalism, Legalism, Relativism

Answer: (B)

Abortion ethics often centers on respecting a person’s choices, ensuring fair access to care, and weighing overall consequences. Autonomy is about allowing a person to make decisions about their own body. Justice focuses on fair treatment and equal access to abortion services, avoiding discrimination. Utility, used in policy discussions, brings in the idea of weighing overall good or harms to society and individuals when deciding how to structure access, regulation, or funding.

These elements together reflect both individual rights and societal impact, which is why this set is the best fit for abortion debates. The other options mix concepts that aren’t the standard framework for abortion ethics—for example, veracity and confidentiality are important medical ethics values but aren’t the main lens for abortion policy; fidelity concerns trust in professional relationships; paternalism, legalism, and relativism describe approaches or attitudes rather than core principlism.