Abortion Ethics Paper

P1: Whether or not the unborn has a right to life, it does not have a right to sustain its life by using the mothers body against her will.

P2: The mother has a right to defend herself against the unborn’s use of her body against her will (a right to have an abortion).

P3: The unborn uses the mother’s body against her when the pregnancy is the result of rape, incest, or defective contraception.

P4: Therefore, abortion is permissible in cases of rape, incest, or defective contraception.

Case Gard
Ethics 2204
29 October 2013
Outline

Intro
A. About 40% of pregnancies end in abortion. That number is huge. Why so many?
B. Thesis: Abortion is a highly controversial topic in America. The act of disregarding a human life and terminating a pregnancy should only be performed on women who have been victims of rape, incest, or failed contraception. Instances where the pregnancy is terminated because the child threatens the health and well being of the female should also be a valid reason for an abortion to be performed. Other than those circumstances listed, the fetus should have the right to develop and have a life of its own. II. Conception
A. What occurs at the time of conception?
B. What medical evidence proves that life has begun at the time of conception?
C. Developmental stages of the early fetus
a. Example- New studies have proven the fetus can feel and hear as little as a few weeks into gestation.
III. What is abortion? A. Types of abortion- Therapeutic and Elective. B. Other ways to terminate pregnancy.
IV. A pregnancy that is the result of rape, incest, or failed contraception is an understandable reason for the mother to have an abortion.
A. In the case of rape, incest or failed contraception, the woman’s body is being used against her will.
B. The woman’s choice to be pregnant was not her own, but rather a result of rape, incest, or failed contraception.
C. Abortion is an available option for the pregnant female. If she chooses to take on the responsibility that comes with having a child, she may. Otherwise, she may terminate the unplanned pregnancy.
V. The unborn child threatens the life of the mother
A. Health conditions caused by the pregnancy that threaten the health and well being of the mother are reasonable circumstances to have an abortion.
B. The choice to allow the fetus to cause harm to the mother’s body is the female’s choice only.
C. If the mother were not allowed the option to abort, her life could be taken because of a health condition caused by the fetus. Females are able to become pregnant as early as 14-15 years of age. The female has her entire life ahead of her and therefore, should be able to make the decision.
VI. Thomson Violinist Theory
A. The person in the theory did not volunteer so that person every right to her own life, it is not morally permissible to give life without her consent.
She is not reliable for the other person involved.

VII. If there is no case of rape, incest, failed contraception, or health related issues for the mother than there is no reasonable circumstance to have an abortion.
A. The unborn fetus has the right to a life.