112 Philosophy 13 July 2006 Abortion "It is equally as heinous intentionally to kill a human being in existence at fertilization, as to kill a larger pre-born child," or so says Nellie Gray a Pro Life supporter.1 However moving her statement may be, it is her opinion and not a fact. The scientific community has not given a specific definition of the exact moment a group of cells becomes a human being. In that case, it makes the topic of abortion more an issue of beliefs rather than a straight forward case. One must decide what they believe the law should say and what they themselves believe is the right course of action. First and foremost, it must be decided if there should be a law permitting or prohibiting abortion. In deciding upon any law or regulation, one ought to keep in mind the principles of our country and constitution. In turn, the laws are not to be made in the opinion of the lawmaker, but in the best interest of the people and in regard of their rights. It is in this individual's beliefs that the constitution dictates that there ought to be freedom for every individual to believe as they wish and that there be a separation of church and state. In saying so, I believe that the matter of abortion should be a matter of the women's choice up to eight weeks of pregnancy. I understand that the point at which the fertilized egg, embryo, etc. becomes a human being is controversial, and is a matter of
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President of March for Life, as quoted at the 28th annual March for Life, in 2001 http://www.religioustolerance.org/abortion6.htm
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reasoning and judgment. The eight weeks mark I have specified comes with the presence of all of the major organs in the embryo. In my opinion, this is the point at which the embryo is now a human being. In science class, organization of life is learned as cells, organs, organs system, then living being. Therefore, the presence of all major organs then determines that the embryo is a living being and termination of said living being is murder. Conversely, it is said that the potential of human life is sacred in itself, and is so from the moment of conception. From a personal standpoint, I happen to agree that the termination of pregnancy at any point is immoral. No one has the right, in my mind, to end a potential for life. A life is immeasurably valuable no matter the supposed quality. If the pregnancy is or unwanted, I do not feel I could adequately provide for the child, then I would give the child up for adoption. However, this is my own conviction and I do not wish to impose my beliefs on others; I, nor anyone else, has that right. Then again, it is understandable that many would want to make abortion illegal, especially seeing that many see it as killing an infant not just eliminating a ball of cells. Bearing in mind that the majority of mankind sees killing as immoral, it makes sense that many would want to make a law prohibiting the act in any form. There is also the belief that the fertilized egg is given, or acquires a soul, and in terminating the pregnancy the mother is robbing the soul of a life.
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Nonetheless, it is understandable that a woman would not want to continue pregnancy. The world is over populated enough as it is. Bringing an unwanted child into the world seems like a transgression in itself. Also, there is the situation in which the mother's life is in danger by the pregnancy. In this case, I can not say that I have a personal opinion. I would not hold it against anyone who terminated the pregnancy in order to salvage their own life. At the same time, I understand if a woman would continue a pregnancy in the hopes that they would both survive or for the simple fact of putting the embryo's life ahead of her own. Any choice seems moral to me. Even so, an ethical egoist would think only of their own needs and what would be best for them. They therefore would not hesitate to end a pregnancy if it did not suit their best interest. Just because the majority does not coincide with these beliefs does not mean that their right to believe what they wish ought to be inhibited. Yet, at the same time, allowing one to believe what they wish and permitting them to act upon said beliefs are two entirely different concepts. Ultimately, abortion is an issue that will unlikely be resolved any time soon. There will always be the extreme conservatives and the extreme liberals who will continue to argue their rationale. One might say that it is the nature of human beings to disagree and argue. If it wasn't this issue it would be another, and so it is. The unsurpassed decision, in my opinion, is to leave the decision up to the individual,
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therefore living out the idea of our constitution that we should be free to believe as we choose to.
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