July 30, 201412 yr Even if you saw the evidence and listened to the opinions of some of the leading scientists and physicians on the issue, would it change your opinion? When does the fertilized egg, zygote, whatever you call it, become a genetically distinct human organism? This has nothing to do with me or my opinion. The question has to do with the consensus of the scientific community.
July 30, 201412 yr I expected all of the Pro-choicers to explain to us why we were all wrong in saying when life starts...but still nothing but Crickets. I am 100% Pro-Choice. I'm not sure when I believe "life" starts.
July 30, 201412 yr I am 100% Pro-Choice. I'm not sure when I believe "life" starts. Do you believe that an abortion after 20 weeks ends a life, given the information presented above about various stages of development?
July 30, 201412 yr Do you believe that an abortion after 20 weeks ends a life, given the information presented above about various stages of development? 20 weeks does seem late to me for an abortion... That's halfway through a normal pregnancy, right? Part of me thinks that if a "baby" isn't developed enough to live outside its mother on its own, it shouldn't be considered a "life." Again, I'm not really sure when I believe life starts...
July 30, 201412 yr Thanks, many of us are unsure on this topic. I am against abortion but I'm not as against it in the cases where the mother experienced/would experience physical or emotional trauma. Yet if I believe it's ending a life, shouldn't I be against it in all instances? Very very confusing subject for me.
July 30, 201412 yr Unfortunately, without a medical/scientific consensus as to when life starts, it's hard to place a legal definition to it. I believe, because of my religious faith, that life starts at conception. I am 100% against abortion, and believe the unborn should have the same rights as anyone else. However, having said that, I also don't believe it's the government's job to legislate based on faith, thus I have no issue with the current laws. May seem like a contradiction, but I try my darnedest to keep my religious and political views separate. Really good. The main decision makers should be the woman, her doctor, her family and her faith leader if she chooses. I know most abortions are elective but there are times when the pregnancy is high risk or troubled. Every pregnancy increases risk to a woman's health and I do not want government bureaucrats deciding what qualifies as 'life saving' or forcing a woman to carry on with high risk pregnancy. And then there are the mis-carriages that are often not discussed. Are they 'natural' abortions? Do we want the government investigating those? Probably not. That leads to more questions in this area that make this subject a difficult one.
July 30, 201412 yr I'm surprised no one has come on here to tell everyone they are wrong? You are all wrong...life begins at 5PM Fridays.
July 30, 201412 yr I was unaware that there was a scientific consensus on when life begins. There's no scientific consensus on much of any topic these days. Surely you'd agree to that. This is a debate with no answer, scientifically speaking, and you know that. You also know that at a very early stage in development, as early as 21 weeks, babies have made it. So, the question, scientifically and otherwise, is does the fetus have to be able to be sustainable once delivered to constitute "beginning of life"? Or is it earlier? Because obviously any answer past 20 weeks is incorrect. Earliest surviving premature baby goes home to her parents | Mail Online
July 30, 201412 yr Life and personhood - one and the same? It would seem that the first sentence of the preamble of the Declaration of Independence makes them so. And for what it's worth, I agree that they are.
July 30, 201412 yr There are a few other cases where women have been charged with a crime for endangering their baby while in the womb. I'm speaking solely on KY law.
July 30, 201412 yr Author FWIW...The definition of “person” for purposes of Kentucky homicide laws includes “an unborn child from the moment of conception.”
July 30, 201412 yr FWIW...The definition of “person” for purposes of Kentucky homicide laws includes “an unborn child from the moment of conception.” So basically someone could be charged for murder/manslaughter even if a woman didn't know she was pregnant yet...
July 30, 201412 yr So basically someone could be charged for murder/manslaughter even if a woman didn't know she was pregnant yet... Kentucky has specifically-defined fetal homicide statutes. First and second degree fetal homicide requires intent to kill or harm the fetus. Third degree requires wanton disregard of risk. Fourth degree requires reckless action. I do not know whether a person could be prosecuted for third or fourth degree fetal homicide without knowledge of a pregnancy, but murder/manslaughter do not apply to fetal homicide cases. A woman cannot be prosecuted for fetal homicide for anything she does herself.
July 30, 201412 yr This has nothing to do with me or my opinion. The question has to do with the consensus of the scientific community. When does science tell us the fertilized egg, zygote, whatever you call it, become a genetically distinct human organism?
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