Abortion Flashcards
Definitions
Abortion
The deliberate termination of a pregnancy, usually before the foetus is 24 weeks old
Consciousness
A state of being awake, aware of, or sensitive to one’s surroundings
Double Effect
The good and bad effect of an action, compared according to a principle which seeks to justify the action if the bad effect, though unforeseen, is outweighed by the good effect
Ectopic Pregnancy
A pregnancy in which the foetus develops outside the uterus
Embryo
An unborn human being in the first 8 weeks after fertilisation before its organs have developed
Ensoulment
The process in Christian belief, by which a body is endowed with a soul
Foetus
An unborn human baby after 8 weeks
Hippocratic Oath
An oath stating the duties and proper conduct of doctors
Image of God
The belief that human beings are created in the image of God
Personhood
The ethical quality or human condition which denotes a morally significant or valuable individual being
Primitive Streak
The faint streak which is the earliest trace of the embryo in the fertilised ovum, generally regarded as day 14
Sanctity of Life
The belief that human life has a special and holy value
Self-Determination
The process by which a person controls and directs their life
Viability
The point at which the foetus becomes capable of living outside the womb. A viable zygote/embryo is one that has the potential to develop into an adult organism
Women’s Rights
Freedoms and liberties guaranteed to women in law
