In this form of the pro- choice argument, the fetus is regarded as a parasite, and autonomy means that one is free to decline acting as a host. Of course, this ignores that the fetus is human and capable of living externally from about the fifth month on, and therefore that some number of abortions, whatever the precise determination may be, must be regarded as the equivalent to infancticide.
Challenged in this way, the pro- choicer will come back with the idea that on cannot be compelled to give a kidney, for example. However, a woman can be compelled to attend to her child until such time as foster care of some sort may be arranged. The fact is that carrying a child to term does not, by itself, constitute an onerous burden, especially if there are rape/incest exceptions, so that whatever risk of pregnancy there is was run voluntarily. |
