Abortion

Question 1

What is an abortion?

Answer 1

The termination of a pregnancy before 24 weeks.

Question 2

Start of human life

Answer 2

• if a foetus is not human then it may not have the same rights as an independent being
• If begins at conception then the foetus should have the same rights afforded to an independent being
• leads to conflict of rights between the mother and unborn child

Question 3

Biological debates

Answer 3

Birth
Viability 
Potentiality 
Primitive streak
Quickening
Conception

Question 4

Birth

Answer 4

Applied at actual physical birth

Question 5

Viability

Answer 5

Unborn can exist beyond any dependence

Question 6

Potentiality

Answer 6

Point at which the entity displays the potential of become a human being

Question 7

Primitive Streak

Answer 7

Discernible after the fourteenth day in the development

Question 8

Quickening

Answer 8

When ‘child’ is first felt to move

Question 9

Conception

Answer 9

From the point of fertilisation of the egg

Question 10

Who gives the idea of the sanctity of life in a non religious perspective & what does he say?

Answer 10

Philosopher Kant

Since consciousness and reason are not properties of potential life, then it’s value diminishes accordingly.

Question 11

What is the Sanctity of life?

Answer 11

The belief that life is sacred or holy given by God

Question 12

What is personhood?

Answer 12

Based upon the ability to reason

Question 13

What is the double effect?

Answer 13

• Even if a good act results in bad consequence then it is still right to do.
• Avoids obvious questions about which is of greater value or more right to life
• Prioritises what ‘ought’ to be done, not the consequences of the action

Question 14

What were/are the legislations of abortion?

Answer 14

Offences Against the Person Act 1861—- depicts proclaiming a miscarriage as a criminal act
1929- Infant Preservation Act—– allowed the preservation of the mothers life as for reason of termination
1967—-2 doctors must agree— necessary if the woman’s physical health is threatened, any existing children harmed, high risk of baby being disabled

Question 15

Ethical Issues

Answer 15

• Doctors may refuse on grounds of conscientious objection
• What is seen as ‘sinful’ by some people but ‘lawful’ on other hand
• law is consequential & dependent on establishing reason
• Does abnormal foetus not have the same rights as a normal one?
• foetus has no right to life under current legislation
• Father has no legal rights

Question 16

What does Roman Catholic Church think about abortion?

Answer 16

• believe abortion is murder (some disagree)— breaking the commandment “Do not kill”,
• God has created and given life, only God can take it away- no one else right
• Accept the Doctrine of Double Effect could allow to happen, although it the same as agreeing with it

Question 17

What does the Anglican Church think about abortion?

Answer 17

• In certain circumstances it is lesser of the two evils (e.g. Mother is in danger)
• View point agree with 1967 Abortion Act
  ‘In situations where the continuance of a pregnant threatens the life of the mother a termination may be justified & there must be adequate and safe provision In our society

Question 18

Situation Ethics applied

Answer 18

If we truly loved other then we would not apply a law without compassion but simply consider each situation in its own merits and opt for the most loving solution