If abortion is illegal....

[Steezie]

I have a question for those who feel abortion should be illegal

If abortion should be illegal, should it ALSO be illegal for a pregnant woman to smoke, drink, or ride in the front seat of a car?

All of these activities have been shown to cause fetal death. That fetal death is the result of a deliberate action undertaken by the mother.

 

[ebia]

In fairness those things increase the risk. None of them have the objective of harming the child, and none of them are certain to harm the child. Abortion, on the other hand, intends the death of the child and pretty much guarantees it.

We don't treat actions that intend and guarantee harm in the same way as actions that increase risk of harm.

 

[Steezie]

In fairness those things increase the risk. None of them have the objective of harming the child, and none of them are certain to harm the child. Abortion, on the other hand, intends the death of the child and pretty much guarantees it.

We don't treat actions that intend and guarantee harm in the same way as actions that increase risk of harm.

Many of these things are elective things (Smoking, drinking) that can be avoided during pregnancy and decrease the risk of fetal death.

So if getting an abortion is murder, would smoking be attempted murder?

 

[ebia]

Driving my car runs is avoidable and runs the risk of running over the boy next door, but that doesn't make it murder if it happens.Putting others at risk is something we should all attempt to minimise, but calling even the avoidable death of another due to my risky behaviour "murder" is unwarranted.

 

[PetersKeys]

I have a question for those who feel abortion should be illegal

If abortion should be illegal, should it ALSO be illegal for a pregnant woman to smoke, drink, or ride in the front seat of a car?

All of these activities have been shown to cause fetal death. That fetal death is the result of a deliberate action undertaken by the mother.

Smoking and drinking should definatly be off limits and illegal for women bearing. If you have ever seen a child with fetal alcohol syndrome you will want to make it illegal.

 

[Avatar]

Smoking and drinking should definatly be off limits and illegal for women bearing. If you have ever seen a child with fetal alcohol syndrome you will want to make it illegal.

Smoking is not a serious risk factor, but drinking should definitely be prohibited.

In Canada a few years ago a woman was committed to a medical facility because she would not stop inhaling solvents to get high while pregnant. Caused quite the uproar from the rights people, but kudos. The child has rights too.

 

[Steezie]

Smoking and drinking should definatly be off limits and illegal for women bearing. If you have ever seen a child with fetal alcohol syndrome you will want to make it illegal.

So by that logic, should ANY activity that jeopardizes the fetus be prohibited?