At what point does it become wrong to take a human life?

Question

That's my question. It seems that so many people, whether pro-choice or pro-life, have varying opinions as to WHEN it becomes wrong, anywhere from day one to the end of 40th week. And the reasons for abortion seem to make a difference for some as to whether or not it should happen. For example, I think if the mother's life were in jeopardy, say as in a tubular pregnancy, then there is no question here; you don't let the mother die. The baby (fetus) must be taken.
But back to my question, there must be a point when it should not be done for the sake of convenience (and I'm not talking medical studies here). Does anyone really know when that is?

Since we don't have definite criteria to go by, the 2nd part of my question is.....Isn't better to be on the safe side, and grant life, just in case the timing is wrong?

For those who feel they need to vent hatred or unintelligent remarks, go for it. But I'm looking intelligent responses on both sides....I know some exist.

Just about all of these answers seemed honest and thoughtful. I appreciate it a lot. It's ever clear how our opinions on the subject vary. Some say from day one abortion is wrong, and some say it's okay throught o the end, and some say whatever the mother wants to do is right. So there is no definite answer, only opinions. When we are taliking about lives and when they begin, should opinions matter? Or should we throw out all the opinions and be on the safe side. We all have reasons for our opinions, but they can't all be right.

Answer 1

Very good question.

We do have definate information though.

There are three things that scientists agree that an organism must have in order to establish whether is alive. It must be growing, it must respond to stimuli, and must be able to process food (metabolize). A fetus does that. And since the fetus has human DNA it is in fact a human and always wrong to take its life. So from the point of conception, it is wrong to do so.

An adult does not come from a teenager. An adult WAS a teenager. It is a stage of human developement. In exactly the same way a newborn does not come from a fetus but it WAS a fetus. Just because a child is hidden from view in the mother's womb does not give anyone the right to kill it.

Answer 2

It becomes wrong when you intentionally take the life of a human being. I believe in a woman's right to choose. She can choose not to have sex and therefore not come of risk. In the case of incest or rape the woman did not have a choice and therefore I understand the reasoning behind it.

Before I go on I am an atheist so this is a completely humanist perspective.

I do not have a problem with the day after pill. It is when you know that there is a life and choose to take it anyway for no other reason then convenince that it becomes wrong. Same thing applies to the death penalty. No person or institution has that right. In the event of the mother's ailing health then and only then does the mother get to choose.

My wife almost died during child birth. She knew that if she went through with it she risked death. But she said the bravest thing she ever said "I will do whatever is best for the baby no matter the consequence to me." She survived, but knowing that that kind of devotion exists within a mother only further infuriates me against those who would end a life prematurely for the sake of convinence.

A better policy would be to ease the child adoption laws within the country and give that child a chance. My wife and I will no longer risk a second pregnancy but there are many children out there that need a home. But because of American bueracracy we are looking toward the far east to adopt when charity should start at home.

I hope you view this as an intellegent yet passionate view on the topic.

Good Day to you!

Answer 3

It's funny...when I first saw your question, I was thinking in terms of fully-grown human beings, and my answer was going to be that it becomes wrong to take a human life when the taking of that life ceases to be a defensive act.

Actually, this premise still sort of applies. First of all, there are obviously a variety of opinions as to when a life begins. Some hold that life begins at conception, others say it begins when the fetus develops a rudimentary sort of brain. Nowadays you have all those people saying "life begins at 40"....which I guess is 163rd trimester? ;)

Seriously though, I hold by the traditional Jewish view (being a traditional Jew), that a human life begins during birth (I think when the baby is more than 50% out, but don't quote me). Obviously, at this point, to take the baby's life would be a clear-cut case of murder. Prior to that, a fetus, or even an embryo, has the status of potential life, which also has value. As such, fetal development can't be terminated without damned good reason. The most obvious justification for abortion is in the case that the mother's life is endangered. Given the choice between preserving a life, and preserving a potential life, the life comes first. The fetus that endangers the mother has the status of a "rodeif," a pursuer (that is, one who is pursuing someone with the intent of killing them). In the case of rodeif chasing someone down, a bystander is permitted to warn them, and if the rodeif doesn't cease and desist, they would be authorized to stop the rodeif by any means necessary. Similarly, if a fetus is endangering the life of the woman carrying it, the fetus may be terminated to save the life of the woman. Pikuach nefesh (the saving of a life) is paramount in Judaism, and supercedes almost all other laws (as far as I know, it's the only reason for which one would be permitted to violate the Sabbath, for example).

Other cases are discussed by the sages of the Talmud, including that of pregnancy resulting from rape, as well as other situations that may cause psychological trauma to the mother. Nowadays, there are also debates regarding the case in which the fetus is carrying a crippling genetic disease. I'm not a rabbi, and therefore not qualified to go into these cases and render any sort of judgment. In any event, all the above things (even the case of endangerment) should be determined by a Rav on a case-by-case basis.

Again, to sum up, an unborn embryo or fetus is not considered a full life according to Torah - but terminating may still be wrong. There are numerous scenarios in which the termination of a fetus may be justified, the most obvious of which being when the fetus presents a danger to the mother. Potential life is itself sacred, however, and not to be treated lightly.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

I don't believe it's a "human life" until after the first trimester, when there is a SLIGHT possibility of life outside the womb. The lungs are developing, the heart is beating, it has arms and legs, etc. Before the second trimester, the fetus is nonviable. It can not live outside the womb.

I don't believe abortion should be used as a form of birth control, but I FIRMLY believe that NO ONE has the right to tell women what they can and can't do with their bodies. I feel that there should be a law stating that first trimesters are the only legal abortions, period.

I feel it's okay during this time, as it is not taking a "human life". I especially feel this is okay during times of medical necessity. It's also okay, I feel, to have an abortion later in the pregnancy if medically necessary (rare, but happens) or if the child is not alive. Carrying a deceased baby for 9 months is torture for the mother, and I feel that if they want to have an abortion at an earlier stage, they should be able to.

Either way, it's a woman's choice.

I find it ironic that mostly men answered this question as well...

Answer 5

I have a bleeding heart when it comes to these babies and my first instinct shouts PRO LIFE!!! but I am more intelligent than that...I know that there are circumstances in which it is appropriate to have an abortion. I think
!) no underage girl should be able to have one without her parents permission.
2) It should be illegal to have an abortion after the fetus is 8-10 weeks old.
3) It shouldn't be used as a form of birth control..
4) If you have an abortion for any reason other than medical necessity/rape...you should be required to have a tubal ligation done shortly after..
5) ADOPTION should be promoted: in most situations it is an excellent alternative.

Just MY opinions that's all

Answer 6

The point at which it becomes right or wrong, in my viewpoint, is where we are making that choice for another.

I beleive that we each have the right to make that choice for ourselves, but when we begin to regulate what another may or may not do with their body, that's were our own integrity ends.

Personally, I think that abortion for the sake of convenience is wrong. I don't believe that i have the right in any sense, to impose my morals on another being; especially when my morals interfere with the body and life of another.

Prior to birth, the being growing in a woman's womb has no name, no birth-date, and is little more than a part of the mother. Whether it has consciousness, and when that develops is not known; some might say that it is not fully conscious even at birth.

That being is truly at the mercy of the mother, just as is any organ that is part of the mother. Too, the mother is at the mercy of the fetus; her body will change as will her appetits, center of gravity and some bodily functions.

Is it a good and marvelous thing to see life produced within a woman? Definitely. Should each woman who becomes pregnant, for whatever reason, be compelled to see through that process? I believe that's up to the individual women to decide. Will I hug and congratulate them when they successfully deliver? Absolutely. Will I mourn with them if the lose a child before birth? Certainly. LIkewise, I will be there to support them if they feel that the only correct choice for them to make is abortion.

On the other hand, I've had friends considering abortion because they felt they could not afford to raise a child. I've offered to adopt should they choose to follow through with the pregnancy. Still, it comes down to four little words: 'IT"S NOT MY CHOICE". It's theirs; hard or easy, with consequences now or later. It's not my decision to make.

Answer 7

The only answer to that is that we cannot all agree on one precise date and I don't know if we ever will. I'll argue your point about being on the "safe side" because that's implying that there may be a definite or known consequence. Some people are going to forever disagree with that. What is the consequence if the timing is wrong? God gets mad and we go to hell? What about the people that don't believe in hell? Some people just don't have a reason to believe in a 'safe side'. I wish we could all agree on at least one part of this but I don't see it happening any time soon. At best, I think we can all agree that it's unpleasant.

Personally, I think that I'll use every excuse out there to not have an abortion myself but I won't know until I find myself in that situation. I may suddenly feel it's wrong and inexcusable or I may find that it doesn't bother me. Who knows.

Answer 8

Well, a fetus is clearly incapable of living outside the womb during the first trimester, and modern technology ensures that many in the third-trimester can survive. While most in the second-trimester do not, some do, and health care is advancing, therefore it makes sense to extend protection to the second trimester.

In terms of a mother's life being in legitimately danger after the 1st trimester, the case really becomes about potentially winning or losing two. One needs to weigh the viability of the fetus and the wishes of the woman; some may opt to risk themselves, while others may not.

Answer 9

I honestly think it is up to the person. In cases of a tubal pregnancy, neither the mother or baby would survive, so there is no reason NOT to abort. Using abortion as birth control is wrong in any case. Most places will not do abortions after 12 weeks gestation, and if they are done that late it is a 2 day procedure, and risky at best.
HTH

Answer 10

My personal opinion is that it is up to the individual. I really don't think anyone wants an abortion or that it is something that is a convenient solution. I think that each person has to weigh their options differently depending on their circumstances.

I feel that once the fetus is capable of existing on it's own outside of the womb, then it should be considered an individual. Until then, I consider it an extension of the mother and subject to her actions. But that is only my opinion. I would certainly not want to force that on anyone else.