Abortion ethical question: fetus/embryo personhood vs. autonomy rights of mother?

Question

I have an ethical essay im writing and I need some opinions from my peers and any other insight you all might have. I'm strongly against abortion, so i need arguments from the other side as well if possible. Thanks!

A significant # of people feel that its morally acceptable to allow abortion of an embryo in comparison to a fetus, is there any moral ground for this statement?

In terms of personhood, @ what point does the embryo gain enough moral standing to override autonomy rights of the mother? Include why you choose some traits over others (e.g. awarenesss over movement, etc.)

A significant # of people feel that the strong moral status of the embryo begins at fertilization, based on its potential or anticipated personhood. Discuss whether you agree with this statement , and whether potential personhood is enough to override autonomy rights of people with undisputed personhood like the mother.

Answer 1

At no point does the potential inherent in a fetus override a woman's right of autonomy. I may consent (or not) to sexual activity. That consent does NOT mean that I am consenting to anything that may come of it. If I contract an STD, do I "endure" it, let it run its course.... or do I seek treatment? (Before the idiot brigade fires up, it is a vague comparison, not a statement that one equals the other) If I consent to sexual activity with a man, does that mean I MUST submit to him for as long as he requires my "services" or do I get to decide the duration? A woman has the right to determine who, in what circumstances, and for what duration her body can be used... I have seen ansolutely NO evidence other than "belief" as to WHEN a fetus is ensouled, but that arguement has no bearing on the discussion. Even if it could be proven that a 2 celled being is a "person" the fact would remain that it's inside a woman's body and she has the right to use whatever force is needed to effect its removal, if she so desires...

Answer 2

1) Abortion is always a choice. Someone owns it. The rare cases of abortion being a necessity are few and far between... unless you find the right professional. Like, shockingly enough, a doctor who provides abortions or a complicit and biased mental health professional. 2) Abortion is birth control. You're ending a pregnancy... for whatever reason you might assert. 3) Infertile people (women).... don't have abortions (is how that statement ends). 4) Disabilities shown on scan... can be wrong. Does the name Tim Tebow ring a bell? You know what's odd? I work in the mental health field... heavily populated by progressives who believe abortion is a sacred cow. These are the same people who readily accept (and protect) funding for providing services to (Surprise!) people with developmental disabilities. I guess all life has value... when it's your bread and butter. 5) Financial problems: CONDOMS ARE FREE. And, yes, I know they aren't fullproof. It just seems abortion as birth control is generally the answer to an initial lack of responsibility. And I don't believe the general populatioin should perpetuate a welfare state, but eugenics is not the answer. 6) Statistics: Margaret Sanger's war on the brown races has been fairly successful. This is absolutely shameful and I don't care what mental gymnastics you engage in, abortion proponents in the U.S. initially targetted people of color and have succeeded in making blacks the most statistically prone demographic to abort in the U.S. Now that's progressive! Right or wrong, it's legal. I believe abortion is ugly, but it's one of those human behaviors you cannot legislate or pray away. I don't believe it should ever receive public funding.... your choice, your bill. I also believe the cut off date should be the age of viability. Infantacide should never be tolerated. An arbitrary timeline should be set (say up to 4 1/2 months) and any action taken after that should be treated as murder... with the mother and all those involved charged.

Answer 3

One argument that has been made is that an embryo cannot survive outside of the mother so that makes it essentially a part of the mother much like a body part. Adults can consent to have arms, legs, appendices removed so an embryo should be seen the same way. The viability of the early term fetus has been the rationale for allowing first trimester abortions.

Answer 4

As long as the fetus is dependent on its mother's systems to survive then it is not a distinctly separate individual. I don't see the argument which states life begins at conception is a moral one at all. It's purely religious because the underlining argument is that even though the creature is only two cells there is a soul present. Neither the soul nor any other supernatural ideas belong in a legal argument. That is why I believe it should be up to the mother on whom the fetus is dependent on whether or not the fetus should be brought to term and delivered.

Answer 5

Fact: A fetus is a baby when you want it but only a fetus when you don't.

Fact: A fetus has all the DNA at conception that it has at birth.

Fact: The mother and child are 2 separate and complete systems from the moment of conception.

Why should we have the right to choose to kill the unborn child when to kill the unborn of any other species is a crime?

+

Answer 6

abortion is an ugly thing. sometimes women make mistakes and due to their lifestyle, an abortion is more suitable for them. You also have those girls who just dont care and will have an abortion. Then you have to abortion junkies having abortion after abortion after abortion. I would never have one my self but sometimes a abortion is justified, like teenage girls, rape victims, women's health risk,. But it sickens me when women use it over and over again. You should learn your lesson the first time. Some women even get pregnant on purpose to trap a man, when it doesn't work they go to the abortion clinic. Maybe we need to set limits and educate young women about alternative choices instead of just advertising your right to choose and cramming abortion choice in their heads. Although the choice should be open its not the only choice.

Answer 7

I'm a strong advocate of human rights but in the case of abortion, the life of the child overrides the women's rights. The soul enters the body at the point of conception. Everything happens for a reason, whether we understand it or not.

Answer 8

I mean really, what does killing the child actually accomplish other than getting rid of a few months of being uncomfortable? Taking a life that someone else would love to take care of because of inconvenience is just immoral. A woman has the right to keep her clothes on or take responsibility for the birth of her child. Along with the father of the child.

Answer 9

When a woman is pregnant, it is their body. Mother and child.