I decided to come back to it, having observed that an argument about my intent erupted.
I do not think that use of the word "sanctity" requires a specifically religious context. It refers, in common parlance, to those things we hold in highest esteem. I had, indeed, meant human life, to note our general reverence for it in this society, and to begin on that level.
Those who do not regard the embryo reverently consider it potential human life, or "human life" deficient in humanity (sometimes expressed as "personhood".)
As for the risk run, it has precisely to do with whether one can be held responsible for the outcome, and therefore whether it is an imposition to require one to do or forbear.
I suppose I should have said "Those who are for a liberal abortion regime", or "those who recognize a right to abort".
No one has complete control over his or her body, regardless of circumstance. After birth, a woman can be held liable for abandonment, and if the abondonment results in death, for homicide. She is expected to take care of the baby until reasonable arrangements can be made to provide institutional care, foster care, or adoption. We are merely extending that requirement to a date prior to birth.
I elsewhere talk about treating the trimesters differently. The reason is not that I think that the embryo is less a human being, but because I understand that there is greater controversy and confusion surrounding such a state of underdevelopment, and therefore think that should be taken into account in evaluating degree of culpability. Similarly, I realize that there are those who think that diminished viability renders the child's existence "parasitic", and therefore I would be willing to be more moderate in sanctions in the second trimester. But by the third trimester, although it is safest to bring the child to term, it is indisputably a child, and likely to live independently if not actively killed by the abortionist. That was what I was arguing about around the time you stumbled on the conversation. I consider those who support abortion in the first trimester to be mistaken, but by the last trimester, I consider them much more harshly...... |
