If a fetus develops with no cerebral (higher brain) functions, is aborting it still wrong?

Question

Occasionally, a fetus will develop into a viable being that moves, sees, hears, consumes nourishment, breathes, responds to touch and cries just like a normal baby, but it's forebrain is missing.

In other words, the part of the brain that is responsible for thought, learning, reasoning, memory, personality, identity - basically everything that makes a person a person - is not there. For all intensive purposes, this being will just become a bedridden food processor, never capable of comprehension, emotions, independent action, speech or thought.

While technically human, it will grow to have more in common with an earthworm than a human being. Would you considered wrong to abort it in the womb, or an act of mercy?

Get a Grip - Hawking has a FULLY FUNCTIONAL BRAIN. Are your completely ignorant, or do you just like to look that way?

Answer 1

Are you describing the WSIDR?

Answer 2

I think it is perfectly moral to murder a piece of brick. A third trimester fetus which shows no higher brain function at all, is probably going to die anyways. Not sure what you are asking or why. Look, I am normally pro-choice, except with third-terms. The situation you described is a fetus that has no higher brain function will certainly die and will jeopardize the mother's life, so I think abortion is alright in that case. I set my criteria as what point the fetus is able to live outside of the womb. I am sorry to say that if a woman can't figure out what to do within 6 monthes of pregnancy, then life-threatening conditions aside, she should have the baby. There is always adoption. As for you comparison, it is about as valid as you being the same as a tumor. For the snarky comments against christians brain function. Really? You want to claim the intellectual high ground by making stupid comments like this. Stop acting like 2 year olds and then pretending intellectual superiority.

Answer 3

I think all the people who say this being is still human and deserves to live should visit a facility that cares for such patients and think some more about their pro life views. I have looked after these folk, and I, and 99% of the other people who do, agree that they deserve the dignity of a peaceful death. We wouldnt treat a dog like this, but somehow our sensibilities prevent us from allowing a fellow human the same dignity. Its no life to lay like a vegetable 24 hours a day and have others do every single thing for you. Some people who are very disabled but still have the power of speech have asked me to help them die, which I have not by the way, nobody wants to live like this.... and if they dont have human emotion then are we protecting them, or our own rigid views in keeping them alive?

Answer 4

It would be a hardship for everyone. It could kill the mother? That's not good. Aborting it would be like pushing the delete button. It's hard either way. I would still die to see it be born and at least hope that a change comes about or wish that I could have. It will be a great loss. Some people would say they would do anything and accept any cost to have their stillborn baby back alive but this is pretty heavy. I still vote for giving it a chance at least temporarily.

Answer 5

That's a tough one, and not for me to decide. While it may appear that to abort this child would be an act of mercy-and to be truthful, I agree--it would really depend on what the parents decide.

There is a bond between parents and their children that goes beyond anything I've ever experienced elsewhere. While I personally would be overwhelmed caring for such a child, many parents would welcome this baby as if it was no different than any other, and they would rise to the challenge.

In doing so, they would learn more about themselves than they ever thought possible, and they would pass on a lesson in compassion and perseverance to those who know them. In that sense, this child's life would not have been wasted.

Answer 6

If a child is born, with or without a fore brain, that child has been created by God and He has also created the situation into which this child will be living when born. Keeping in mind that God is in charge of ALL things, I believe that baby should be born, not aborted. God has a reason for that child being born without a fore brain and the Bible tells me that "all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His will." All things means ALL things! Have faith in God who knows ALL!

Answer 7

as someone who is not christian, but pro life, i'm not sure. i couldn't imagine being a parent to this person, and for all of eternity just inputting food and changing it's diaper, until it dies of old age. one problem i have with aborting is the "what ifs" what if the doctors are wrong? also, we don't know what most of the brain does. what if on some other level, this person was conscious, just in ways we didn't understand? i just don't know what i would do.

on a side note, i saw a show a couple years ago and this guy went to the doctor's in his 30's-40's (don't quite remember) with a tummy ache. turns out he had a parasitic twin living in his stomach. i saw the thing. it was alive, but not really, not aware. but i felt for it. it was still alive and had been living for 30-40 yrs, until they took it out. very strange, but true. did it deserve to live or die?

Answer 8

Abort it. It could become a right wing fundamentalist. As you said the part of the brain that is responsible for thought, learning, reasoning, memory, personality, identity - basically everything that makes a person a person - is not there. Sounds like a fundie to me. No wonder they're so rabidly "pro-life"

Answer 9

Very good question, which illuminates the core of what being human is: you have to have a fully-formed and connected brain, and it has to work properly. Otherwise there's simply no point in ascribing human values to it - it's as human as a dead body.

But this non-human state is not confined to the anencephalic mutants you describe. Even a normally developing embryo or foetus doesn't have a brain that operates in a remotely human fashion - in fact it doesn't start to acquire one for a considerable amount of time after birth.

While a foetus is certainly a potential human, it isn't one, and granting it human status is not logical or in line with facts.

CD

Answer 10

do you believe that god gave us a life of free will and you will be held accountable at the time your soul leaves your body?
we believe that god developed a natural environment for us to live in without any interference,sometimes we do bad things, or other people do bad things to us. many times something happens like the tragedy of a sick child, if you do what you think is best without thinking of yourself, it is all that can be expected.
if it is aborted you could donate the remains to be studied,if you allow the birth there is always organ donation. if the doctors would allow life support until the organs are able to be used to save multiple lives.
if you can believe that god's plan is to have humans develop the skills to save lives when the other would have been waisted, only you can decide.

Answer 11

Anencephalic fetuses involve more complications for pregnant women. The maternal mortality rises because of more frecuent hipertensive gestational disease, hydramni, abruptio placentae.

These fetuses have not any chance to live more than 1 or 2 days.

So, it is wrong to keep them alive, the risk for the mother is too high and wont be a viable fetus.