Are fetal homicide laws incompatible with the pro-choice position?

[Rubiks]

I don't see how a fetus is only a person if the mother wants it. Personhood is not dependent on whether someone is wanted or not.

If a fetus is not a person, does that mean any grief the mother feels is somehow irrational and unfounded?

 

[Not David]

I don't see how a fetus is only a person if the mother wants it. Personhood is not dependent on whether someone is wanted or not.

If a fetus is not a person, does that mean any grief the mother feels is somehow irrational and unfounded?

We make laws on philosophies not everyone believes.

 

[hedrick]

Yes. it's inconsistent. But we have various bodies making laws, who have contradictory ideas. So that's not surprising.

Incidentally, the OP might want to know that sometimes mothers are prosecuted under these laws. One mother attempted suicide and failed. She was then charged with homicide for her fetus. There are also laws short of homicide under which mothers can be prosecuted. In many states, if a mother who is addicted to drugs becomes pregnant the only legally safe thing she can do is abort, because otherwise she is subject to prosecution for endangering the child. Miscarriages have also resulted in prosecution.

Treating a fetus as a full human is going to make being pregnant legally dangerous.

 

[Goonie]

Yes. it's inconsistent. But we have various bodies making laws, who have contradictory ideas. So that's not surprising.

Incidentally, the OP might want to know that sometimes mothers are prosecuted under these laws. One mother attempted suicide and failed. She was then charged with homicide for her fetus. There are also laws short of homicide under which mothers can be prosecuted. In many states, if a mother who is addicted to drugs becomes pregnant the only legally safe thing she can do is abort, because otherwise she is subject to prosecution for endangering the child. Miscarriages have also resulted in prosecution.

Treating a fetus as a full human is going to make being pregnant legally dangerous.

Indeed. I saw someone demanding that the constitution be changed to give full personhood to fetuses from conception. So that will be a full inquest for every miscarriage then.