Abortion

Question 1

A foetus is…

Answer 1

The unborn baby from the end of the eighth week up until birth.

Question 2

Metaphysical is relating to the ____ beyond what is ____ to the senses

Answer 2

• reality *

* perceptible *

Question 3

What is personhood?

Answer 3

The stage at which a being is considered to be an individual human being and have human rights.

Question 4

What is…. the belief that life is scared or holy, given by God.

Answer 4

Sanctity of Life

Question 5

What are the four stages where people think that a foetus is human?

Answer 5

Birth, Viability, Potentiality, Conception

Question 6

What is birth?

Answer 6

When a foetus comes out of its mother at it is the first point of independence and individuality.

Question 7

What is viability?

Answer 7

The status of personhood is awarded at the time when the unborn can exist beyond any dependence on the mother.

Question 8

What is potentiality?

Answer 8

The point at which the entity displays the potential of becoming a human being. For some this is conception for others the primitive streak or the quickening.

Question 9

______ : from the point of _______ of the egg ( conception) and the result is a human being.

Answer 9

• Conception *

* Fetilisation *

Question 10

Define the Primitive Streak.

Answer 10

It is discernible after the fourteenth day in the development of the foetus and it is this that becomes the spinal cord.
Earliest stage of the embryo.

Question 11

Describe what ‘quickening’ is…

Answer 11

Traditional understanding that the status of personhood can be applied when the ‘child’ first moves.

Question 12

Religious and Philosophical people believe different things about when you are considered to be human. They believe that _____,______,______, could able be when a foetus becomes a human.

Answer 12

Consciousness- status of personhood is applied at the first time of consciousness or awareness.
Ensoulment: status of personhood deemed appropriate when the soul enters the body.
Continuity: life begins when the potential life as an individual is recognisable, which is the zygote at conception.

Question 13

What are relational factors.

Answer 13

Arguments are based on the meaning of different words. There are different interpretations and understandings of words. Until accurate definitions are created the stage at which a person is awarded personhood can not be universal.

Question 14

To kill a human adult is to murder, and is unhesitatingly and universally condemned. Yet there is no obvious sharp line which marks the zygote from the adult. Hence the problem ‘
Who said this quote?

Answer 14

Peter Singer.

Question 15

What is the doctrine of Double Effect?

Answer 15

The idea that even if good acts result in bad consequences then it is still right to do that act.

Question 16

What are these questions referring to?
When rights have been awarded is it then appropriate to consider the relative importance of different rights?
Are those of the personhood limited and restricted or basic in any way?
Does the woman’s right to choice supersede the basic right to life of the personhood?

Answer 16

The rights to life

Question 17

What act class’ a miscarriage as a criminal act?

Answer 17

Offences against the person act 1861

Question 18

What is the the abortion act 1967?

Answer 18

Two doctors must agree that the abortion is necessary. It is necessary if:
The women’s physical health is threatened by having the baby.
Any existing children would be harmed mentally or physically by the women proceeding to have the baby.
Their is a high risk that the baby would be disabled.

Question 19

True or false.

Abortion can only be carried out after 24 weeks only to save the mother.

Answer 19

True

Question 20

What type of ethical issues are raised by abortion legislation?

Answer 20

• Conscience of the medical practitioner. Doctors may refuse to carry out an abortion due to this.
• Some may see it as sinful whereas others may see it as lawful.
• The feature has no rights under current legislation.
• A foetus over 24 weeks is Intitled to a birth certificate so they should also be entitled to a cause of death

Question 21

Could situation ethics apply to abortion?

Answer 21

Yes.
Situation ethics according to moral laws are not absolutely binding but may be modified in the light of specific situations

Question 22

What is the Roman Catholic view on Abortion?

Answer 22

They believe that it is murder and is breaking the commandment ‘Do not kill’. As God has created and given us life he should be the only one that is able to take it away. Life is holy, given by God and scared so should not be taken for granted.
The Doctrine of Double Effect can be applied in certain cases.

Question 23

Are some Catholics okay with abortion?

Answer 23

Some believe that a foetus doesn’t become a person until 40-80 after conception.
Also the church has not declared that it’s teaching on sexual and reproductive issues is infallible.

Question 24

What are the Anglican Church’s belief on abortion?

Answer 24

Have an alternative view and are more open.
In some circumstances having an abortion is the lesser of two evils for example if a mother is in danger. If a pregnancy threatens a life them the abortion is justified.

Question 25

Why should we allow abortion?

Answer 25

We were taught forgiveness and not to judge others.

If an abortion was the most loving and Christian thing to do if would mean more suffering being created by denying it.

Question 26

How does situation ethics apply to abortion?

Answer 26

If we truly loved others then we would not apply a law without co passions on its own merits and opt for the most loving situation.

Question 27

Define pro life

Answer 27

Argue against abortion. The life of the foetus should come before the choice of the mother.
10 commandments. Do not kill

Question 28

Define pro choice

Answer 28

Argue for abortion. They think thy the choice of the mother should come before the life of the foetus.

Question 29

What happens to some people if their family is so against abortion?

Answer 29

They can be disowned or excommunicate. Cut out of their families lives.