The rights of an unborn fetus

[WinePusher]

Abortion is probably the most contreversial issue in World, everybody has their own opinion about it. Most christians are opposed to the practice mainly because of their religious beliefs, but I would like to point out Christopher Hitchens opposes Abortion on purely secular and scientific terms. Questions for disscussion

1) Which is more important, the life of the child or the choice of the mother?

2) Couldn't abortion eventually lead to the practice of infanticide?

3) Does the father of the child have any voice?

4) Do parents have any say if their under age teenage daughter wishes to have an abortion.

[McCulloch]

I believe that you are begging the question by referring to a fetus or an embryo as a child.

1) Which is more important, the life of the child or the choice of the mother?

Restated:
Which is more important, the life of the embryo or the choice of the mother?
The choice of the mother.
Which is more important, the life of the fetus or the choice of the mother?
More difficult to determine.
Which is more important, the life of the baby or the choice of the mother?
The life of the baby.

2) Couldn't abortion eventually lead to the practice of infanticide?

Maybe. How is that relevant?

3) Does the father of the child have any voice?

Do you mean, should a guy who happened to deposit some sperm that was successful at fertilization be allowed to on the basis of that fact alone be allowed to restrict the choices of another?
No.

4) Do parents have any say if their under age teenage daughter wishes to have an abortion.

That depends on the local laws.

[Goat]

Abortion is probably the most contreversial issue in World, everybody has their own opinion about it. Most christians are opposed to the practice mainly because of their religious beliefs, but I would like to point out Christopher Hitchens opposes Abortion on purely secular and scientific terms. Questions for disscussion

1) Which is more important, the life of the child or the choice of the mother?

The LIFE of the mother, followed by the choice of hte mother in early pregnancy. If someone doesn't decide to get an abortion till later, there has to be extenuating circumstances IMO. 22 to 24 weeks is a good line in the sand for this.

2) Couldn't abortion eventually lead to the practice of infanticide?

No. Actually, not having abortion has more of that potential.

3) Does the father of the child have any voice?

In most cases, the father of the child should have an input, but the ultimate choice should be the mother. I know of a case where someone got divorced about 2 months after she got pregnant, and her ex wanted her to get an abortion. She chose not to.

4) Do parents have any say if their under age teenage daughter wishes to have an abortion.

That is a huge gray area. There are too many variables. Ideally, children would have a good communication with their parents. Too often that falls short. Sometimes, unwelcome news can provoke a violent reaction.

[JoeyKnothead]

From the OP:

]
1) Which is more important, the life of the child or the choice of the mother?

The life of the mother.

2) Couldn't abortion eventually lead to the practice of infanticide?

An 'infant' is commonly understood to be a 'birthed' child, so no.

3) Does the father of the child have any voice?

I would certainly hope the mother would consult the father, but ultimately the decision should be hers.

4) Do parents have any say if their under age teenage daughter wishes to have an abortion.

I say no, because it is that underage daughter that ultimately bears the burdens.

[McCulloch]

4) Do parents have any say if their under age teenage daughter wishes to have an abortion.


In general, I feel that there should be no barriers to abortion services for women in the early stages of an unwanted pregnancy, but I have difficulties with the inconsistencies raised by this issue. Can my under-aged child have an appendectomy without my permission? Probably not. Then why should she be allowed to have an abortion?

[Abraxas]

Abortion is probably the most contreversial issue in World, everybody has their own opinion about it. Most christians are opposed to the practice mainly because of their religious beliefs, but I would like to point out Christopher Hitchens opposes Abortion on purely secular and scientific terms. Questions for disscussion

1) Which is more important, the life of the child or the choice of the mother?

Rephrased:
Is the mother obligated to house within her another being, living or otherwise, against her will?

Answer: No.

2) Couldn't abortion eventually lead to the practice of infanticide?

No more so than a butterfly flapping its wings could cause a tornado. Under Chaos Theory, yes; more directly, more sensibly, no.

3) Does the father of the child have any voice?

Up to the mother.

4) Do parents have any say if their under age teenage daughter wishes to have an abortion.

No. Parents or not they haven't the authority to force one to become a parent themselves.

[Lux]

Abortion is probably the most contreversial issue in World, everybody has their own opinion about it. Most christians are opposed to the practice mainly because of their religious beliefs, but I would like to point out Christopher Hitchens opposes Abortion on purely secular and scientific terms.

On a completely personal level, I'm against abortion on purely moral grounds. However, on the objective side, I'm "pro-choice" in the early stages of pregnancy.

1) Which is more important, the life of the child or the choice of the mother?

I honestly don't know how to answer this. The true reason why I believe the mother should have her choice is because I can't help but think that if a woman is forced to have a baby and denied an abortion, the life of that child won't be any walk in the park.

2) Couldn't abortion eventually lead to the practice of infanticide?

I'd say that wanting an abortion and not getting one is more likely to lead to infanticide than abortion itself.

3) Does the father of the child have any voice?

No. The one who has to sustain another in her body for 9 months is the mother. An unwanted pregnancy has physical, psychological and social implications for the mother that the father does not have to bear with.

4) Do parents have any say if their under age teenage daughter wishes to have an abortion.

I don't think so. If parents have a legal say in this when it comes to their underage daughters, many of them will impose their opinion for purely religious motives.

[JoeyKnothead]

From Post 5:

...Can my under-aged child have an appendectomy without my permission? Probably not. Then why should she be allowed to have an abortion?

>For those who think I'm a lawyer, I present LOL<
Actually there are laws in the US that could apply here, where a failure to let the daughter get that appendectomy could get the parents in trouble.

IMO a pregnant child could be considered an adult, where she is engaging in the most adult of activities.

[spblat]

I submit this thoughtful article about abortion from Carl Sagan and his wife Ann Druyan. They agree with goat about where to put the line in the sand. I also submit this comment from Kelley Bell (scroll down to #8) arguing for the position that an individual woman has the absolute right to decide for herself, as Abraxas put it, whether she is "obligated to house within her another being, living or otherwise."

[WinePusher]

Abortion is probably the most contreversial issue in World, everybody has their own opinion about it. Most christians are opposed to the practice mainly because of their religious beliefs, but I would like to point out Christopher Hitchens opposes Abortion on purely secular and scientific terms.

On a completely personal level, I'm against abortion on purely moral grounds. However, on the objective side, I'm "pro-choice" in the early stages of pregnancy.

1) Which is more important, the life of the child or the choice of the mother?

I honestly don't know how to answer this. The true reason why I believe the mother should have her choice is because I can't help but think that if a woman is forced to have a baby and denied an abortion, the life of that child won't be any walk in the park.

2) Couldn't abortion eventually lead to the practice of infanticide?

I'd say that wanting an abortion and not getting one is more likely to lead to infanticide than abortion itself.

3) Does the father of the child have any voice?

No. The one who has to sustain another in her body for 9 months is the mother. An unwanted pregnancy has physical, psychological and social implications for the mother that the father does not have to bear with.

4) Do parents have any say if their under age teenage daughter wishes to have an abortion.

I don't think so. If parents have a legal say in this when it comes to their underage daughters, many of them will impose their opinion for purely religious motives.

You said you are "pro choice in the early stages of pregnancy. Wats the difference between a late term abortion and an early term abortion? Is there a period in between when the fetus begins to gain the rights of an actual human?