Moral Personhood
So, when does a fetus acquire a "right to life?"
Clarification of the term "human life" is necessary in the abortion debate. "Human" can mean several things. A scientific definition classifies a "human" as a member of the biological human species or someone that has a human genetic code, but many people define "human" as a quality that stems from a set of additional characteristics. By their definition, humans are beings that can think, imagine, and communicate. Some extend it further to conclude that a human being is a 'moral person', i.e. one that has moral rights and duties (BBC, 2013).
The beginning of "Moral personhood" is a major point of contention between pro-choice and pro-life activists. However, lack thereof is not the only justification used for abortion; there are many cases in which most people agree that even if the fetus is a person, abortion may be morally justified--even cases when there is no risk to the physical or mental health of the mother.
Clarification of the term "human life" is necessary in the abortion debate. "Human" can mean several things. A scientific definition classifies a "human" as a member of the biological human species or someone that has a human genetic code, but many people define "human" as a quality that stems from a set of additional characteristics. By their definition, humans are beings that can think, imagine, and communicate. Some extend it further to conclude that a human being is a 'moral person', i.e. one that has moral rights and duties (BBC, 2013).
The beginning of "Moral personhood" is a major point of contention between pro-choice and pro-life activists. However, lack thereof is not the only justification used for abortion; there are many cases in which most people agree that even if the fetus is a person, abortion may be morally justified--even cases when there is no risk to the physical or mental health of the mother.