3 ms·
> So given that a fetus is alive, does that entitle it to any rights? I didn't mean to say whether the fetus is alive is the relevant question, so apologies fo
by bko 4y ago
> So given that a fetus is alive, does that entitle it to any rights?
I didn't mean to say whether the fetus is alive is the relevant question, so apologies for the confusion. It's whether the fetus is a person, in which case, yes being a person does entitle it to rights, none greater than your right to life. That takes primacy over other rights of the mother to terminate the person (assuming it is a person).
It's true that there's no clear answer, but I suggest that this is the question to answer, regardless of where you fall on the debate. Some people think its "heart beat" however you define that, other think its viability outside of the womb, and I'm sure other people have different criteria. But we should look to answer this question and get to a sensible policy.
- zuminator 4y agoEven if we accept that a fetus is a person at stage X in its development (whether that is conception or later), that doesn't necessarily mean we will give it all the panoply of rights that we give to those residing outside the womb. In the US, citizens have certain rights (and sometimes, responsibilities) that non-citizens do not have. Are fetuses citizens? That's an easy one to answer: No, at least not by the standards of the 14th amendment, where it decrees: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."