I’m a bit late to jump in now (excellent weekend with lots to do <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" /> ) but as in most things I’m ‘pro choice’. In other words I would prefer to allow people some room for individual choices.
I respect the view of people who would always take a foetus to full term, no matter what the cost or risk to the mother’s life, or the potential quality of life of the child. Just as long as they apply that belief to themselves and not seek to punitively apply it to everybody else.
There are many reasons that mothers choose not to go through with making their baby, surrounding the mental and physical health of the mother and/or the child. This may include cases of rape, damage to the mother or the child, etc. But even if the birth is without problems an unexpected or unwanted child can literally ruin a woman’s life in the wrong circumstances. I don’t think that we have the right to say that the ‘rights’ of an undeveloped foetus always automatically over-ride the ‘rights’ of the mother. I’ve never been involved in such a choice, but I’m sure that it’s horrifically hard to make. Those who have to make it should be helped and supported, not punished.
‘Rights’ are always a tricky issue. I’m sitting here with hundreds of thousands of potential children just below my belt. Do all those sperm have a ‘right’ to get the chance at life? Should all those eggs that women produce get a chance to meet “Mr Right” and become a baby, and not be consigned to death each month? When the sperm meets the egg is that then a baby with full ‘rights’ or just a potential baby – albeit a step or two up the ‘rights’ ladder from the sperm and eggs? Does that moment the automatically rule out any ‘rights’ the mother may have, or should some leeway be allowed for a few more weeks until that event has been confirmed to the potential parents?
Kiya’s example of her friend who supported Kiya despite her own conflicting beliefs exactly illustrates what I would see as an admirable and humitarian way to go.
