Contraception is unnatural
Although people should be given the choice, we do not have a responsibility to provide couples with contraception because it still involves the deliberate extermination of a human being's life, which is unnatural to the process of reproduction. The most natural and humane choice is to allow the baby to live.
<
(1 of 2)
Next argument >
The Argument
Although we may choose to use contraception when having sex, the natural consequence of couples engaging in sex is reproducing a new life into the world, so we do not have a responsibility to use contraceptive methods such as condoms or the pill.
In 1965 the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology issued a bulletin in which the official definition of pregnancy was changed from fertilization to implantation. This is significant because the beginning of most human being’s lives is when the male sperm and the female egg unite at fertilization in the mother’s fallopian tube. In this instance, a new individual is created whose DNA is unique. They are a single cell embryo and a unique human being. Therefore, any baby who is attempting to make their way from their mother’s fallopian tube to the wall of her uterus where they can implant themselves could die because their mother is using the birth control pill.
Therefore, by changing the definition of pregnancy from fertilization to implantation, the first week of any baby’s life is not recognized, and therefore, if they die because of the action of the pill, or any other form of contraception, nobody realizes an abortion has occurred.[1] Even though people may be given the choice to use contraception, because it is a deliberate killing of a human being’s life, society should not see it as a responsibility to provide people with contraception, as the most natural and humane choice is to allow the baby to live.
Counter arguments
Although it can be argued that contraception is an artificial product used to interfere with a completely natural process, this can still hugely impact the wellbeing of the parents and the infant, so the most ‘natural’ route isn’t always suitable. We have a responsibility to provide contraception because research indicates that family planning, including planning, delaying and spacing pregnancies, is linked to improved birth outcomes for babies, either directly or through healthy maternal behaviours during pregnancy. Contraception also reduces pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality, reduces the risk of developing certain reproductive cancers, and can be used to treat many menstrual related symptoms and disorders.[2] Society should therefore see it as a responsibility to provide contraception because it can have serious health and wellbeing risks, specifically to the mother and infant.
Premises
[P1] Although couples should be given the choice, we do not have a responsibility to provide contraception because it is unnatural.
[P2] The official definition of pregnancy was changed from fertillization to implementation, but implementation is the start of the baby's life.
[P3] Therefore, contraception is a form of abortion. The most humane action is to allow the baby to live, even though contraception should still be a choice.
Rejecting the premises
[Rejecting P1] Contraception will avoid health and wellbeing risks to both the parents and the infants. Therefore, we have a responsibility to provide contraception.