Steven Waldman, editor-in-chief and co-founder of BeliefNet, recently posed these ethical questions:For Pro-Lifers he asked:
You are running out of a burning hospital and can run into the fertility clinic to save a liquid nitrogen container holding 500 zygotes, or into the natal unit and save a baby. Which do you do?For Pro-Choicers he asked:
Let's assume that abortion is fully legal, right up until the point of birth. Would you feel morally comfortable aborting the fetus one day before the birth date? Under what circumstances? And if you feel like that's too late in the pregnancy, where would you personally draw the line?I am a pro-lifer so I will answer the first question: I would first go to the natal unit.. time permitting I would go to the fertility clinic.. if I even knew it was there.
Your turn.. depending on your pro-? position.. how would you answer?
Hmm.
ReplyDeleteI'm prolife too, but would have to agree with your plan. I think it would be morally wrong-er to allow the baby - who is clearly already a viable organism - to perish in the fire.
But... it's a tough question, and one I hope never to face!!!
More interesting to me would be the "pro-choicers" answer to the second question. Looking forward to seeing the answers!
Hi Bob,
ReplyDeleteThese type of ethical dilemma questions are often poorly constructed.
For the pro-lifers, about saving liquid nitrogen containing embryos or saving a baby, it just does not make sense. A container containing frozen embryos is dependent on the liquid nitrogen. Taking them out of their nitrogen connection will just kill all the embryos.There is actually no choice here.
For pro-choicers, there is no society that will allow an abortion to be legal until birth. By definition abortion is at or before 28 weeks gestation. Third trimester abortion is not a legal term and should correctly be termed infanticide. By asking this question reveals a certain bias of the questioner.
I am a pro-lifer, so saving the baby would be my choice.
ReplyDeleteHere is another question for pro-choicers-if you knew your baby could cure cancer, end war, win a Nobel Peace Prize, etc; would you abort?
I have to go with you Bob. Life is precious and I would try to save it.
ReplyDelete"For pro-choicers, there is no society that will allow an abortion to be legal until birth. By definition abortion is at or before 28 weeks gestation. Third trimester abortion is not a legal term and should correctly be termed infanticide. By asking this question reveals a certain bias of the questioner."
ReplyDeleteSorry, but depending on the "health" of the mother (construed any way you want) allows for third-trimester abortions in many states. George Tiller is a notorious 3T abortionist in Michigan. And of COURSE it's infanticide, but try telling that to "right to choosers."
I wish George tiller lived in Michigan TZ.. he is a Kansan doing abortions in Wichita :(
ReplyDeleteI like Alex Tang's analysis of the questions, specifically the first one. I wouldn't have thought about the fact that all I did was save them only to have them die. I would probably pick the baby anyway because, even though I'm pro life, the baby will be able to feel the pain of the fire. The embryos will not. Still fun to think about though.
ReplyDeleteNot very challenging questions on either front, if you ask me. I would save the baby, without a moment wasted.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of the pro-choice side, it has little to do with "where do you personally draw the line". Most of the people I know who are pro-choice would never have an abortion under any circumstances. The simply do not believe that the government should control what a woman does with her own body.
I have found it impossible to have a reasonable discussion on this topic with either side because its apples and oranges and neither side every thinks about this from the other's point of view.
I think starting with some common ground -- finding ways to reduce unwanted pregancies and reduce abortions seems like a logical step for now... but I think eventually (maybe not my lifetime) the US will choose life.
I'm Pro-Life. I'd save the baby. I don't know what a zygote is.
ReplyDeleteI think the majority will always opt for choice so we have to focus on reducing unwanted pregnancies.
I think all who commented are pro-lifers.. I was hoping to get a few pro-choicers wighing in.
ReplyDeleteA few of you mentioned reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies. anyone know of programs that are working? Seems that we need to be as practical as possible in this area.