Encyclopedia of Opinion
Question
Is abortion ethical?
Position‹2 of 3›

Abortion is ethical under certain circumstances

If a fetus has not developed enough to be considered a child or if it threatens the life of the mother, then she has the right to choose an abortion. Additionally, if the mother is raped, then it would be ethical for her not to bear the consequences of something over which she had no control.

Supporting arguments · 4

  1. In cases of rape, abortion is ethical
    In cases of rape, a woman never consented to raise a child, so she should not have to give birth to that child.
  2. Abortion is ethical when the mother is in danger.
    If during pregnancy, the mother's life is in danger, it is ethical to abort the child. As an adult who has an established life, it is worse to lose her than the child. Therefore, abortion is moral.
  3. Abortion is ethical within a timeframe
    While at conception, the embryo does not possess all the rights of a person, over the course of the pregnancy it will acquire those rights. Therefore, abortion is only ethical prior to the fetus becoming a person with rights.
  4. Abortion is ethical when the quality of life of the human will undoubtedly be very poor