Abortion Flashcards
Abortion
The removal of a foetus from the womb before it can survive.
Embryo
The earliest stage of development of a human being.
Pro -choice
The belief in a woman’s right to choose to continue or discontinue a pregnancy.
Pro - life
The belief the embryo is a life and should be allowed to go full term.
Quality of life
The belief that life is meaningful only if we can achieve or have certain abilities e.g. self-awareness.
Sanctity of life
The belief that life is sacred/holy and belongs to God. God is the only being with the power over life and death.
Ectopic pregnancy
Where the embryo begins to develop in the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus.
Viability
The point at which the embryo could survive without support from the mother. UK law reflects this principle (24 weeks).
Conception
The point at which the sperm fertilises the egg.
What is the UK law on abortion?
The law says that abortion is only allowed if two doctors agree that:
-The mother’s life is at risk.
-The mother’s physical or mental health is at risk.
-The child is very likely to be born severely handicapped.
-There would be a serious effect on other children in the family.
Currently, the UK law is that abortion cannot happen after 24 weeks. This is because the baby could survive outside of the womb at this point.
Why is abortion seen as controversial?
-One of the reasons abortion is seen as a controversial issue is because people have differing views over when life begins.
-For some e.g. Catholics life begins at conception.
-For some they may say viability because at this point it is an independent human being.
-For some it could be birth.
-For some it is when they have qualities of personhood.
Peter Singer
-the criteria for personhood should replace the sanctity of human life.
-There are qualities that comprise personhood and Fetuses cannot exhibit them.
Rational , self-conscious, sentient, act intentionally, communicate, establish relationships
Savita Halappanavar.
She knew she was going to miscarry her baby and requested an abortion. Savita was denied an abortion, because in Ireland women are only allowed a termination if their life is in danger.
Her doctor told her:
“Under Irish law… our hands are tied, so long as there’s a fetal heart… Ireland is a Catholic country”.
Savita developed an infection and later died of a disease.
