Humanist perspective Abortion What does the law say

Humanist perspective: Abortion

What does the law say? • The law in England, Scotland, and Wales permits an abortion before the 24 th week of pregnancy • Two doctors must agree that an abortion would cause less damage to a woman’s physical or mental health than continuing with the pregnancy • Pregnancy and childbirth are more risky than abortion so most women who seek an abortion can have on these grounds • An abortion may be carried out after the 24 th week of pregnancy if there is a substantial risk that the child would be born with serious physical or mental disabilities or if there is a serious risk of death or permanent injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant woman

Some medical facts • The law chooses the 24 -week mark as the point after which a foetus is viable: it can survive with medical assistance outside the womb • Some very premature babies can now be kept alive • Many disabilities and diseases can now be diagnosed long before birth • Abortions can be performed safely, with medication or surgery, and the risks of medical or psychological problems are low

Humanist beliefs Humanists base their moral decisions on empathy, reason, evidence, and respect for the dignity of each person. They will consider the evidence and the consequences and try to find the course of action that leads to the least harm. Humanists recognise that life is valuable but believe that quality of life is also important when making decisions about life and death. They value human beings’ personal autonomy and believe they should have the right to make their own decisions about how they live their lives. What do you think a humanist might think about abortion?

Humanist perspectives Quality of life is important. The woman’s happiness should be taken into consideration and the potential quality of life of the child. A woman has rights over her own body. She exists already with other responsibilities so her rights and feelings should take priority over those of the foetus. A woman has the right to choose. We should be free to choose how to live our lives. If abortion is ‘playing god’, then so is all medical intervention such as vaccinations or taking drugs to help us live longer. There are fewer medical risks attached to abortion than continuing with a pregnancy and giving birth. Counselling and support can minimise psychological suffering after abortion. We should consider the psychological risks of carrying and giving birth to an unwanted child. If we made abortion illegal, the number of illegal, self-administered, and unsafe abortions would increase.

Humanist perspectives Humanist Diane Munday was a member of the Abortion Law Reform Association when abortion was legalised in 1968. She has spent much of her life campaigning for the right to safe abortions and providing support for women who seek or have had them. People need to be wanted, loved, and nurtured. Humanists say that only when the circumstances are right for mother and child should a new life be brought into being. The facts about induced abortion are that it can be performed safely. . . and that most women who deliberately terminate a pregnancy are grateful that this has been possible and have fewer regrets than women who give birth to an unwanted child. I believe that history will look back in amazement at us on our overpopulated planet and wonder how it came about that women could be forced to have children they did not want.

When does a foetus become a person? When does it have rights? Before conception Conception Embryo attaches to womb Heart starts beating First movement Viability The ability to feel pain Birth Consciousness

Abortion: acceptable or unacceptable? Take a look at these cases of unwanted pregnancies. Would an abortion be morally acceptable in each case? Why? Can you put them all in order from most to least acceptable? Would a humanist agree or disagree with you? Why? a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) A woman’s life would be at serious risk if she were to complete the pregnancy and try to give birth. A woman wants to have an abortion because the pregnancy interferes with her holiday plans. A woman has discovered that there is high chance that her child will be severely disabled. She does not feel she will be able to care for the baby. A young woman was not aware she was pregnant. When she finds out she has passed the 24 week mark. A woman was raped and does not want to have the baby. A woman is unable to consent to the abortion because she is in a coma. A woman has discovered that the foetus is female. She and her partner wanted a son so they want to have an abortion. A teenage girl has got pregnant by mistake. She says that having the baby will mean she is unable to fulfil all the plans she had for her life.

Questions for discussion 1) Is abortion ever acceptable? 2) At what point does a foetus become a human being: conception, viability, consciousness? Does this affect your view of abortion? 3) Is a potential human being the same as a human being? Why or why not? 4) Which is more important: sanctity of life or quality of life? 5) Whose rights should take priority? The woman’s or the foetus’? 6) Even if someone would not have an abortion themselves, does that give them the right to deny the opportunity to others? 7) Is it possible to be pro-choice and anti-abortion? 8) Who should be responsible for making moral choices in the case of abortion: doctors, politicians, religious leaders, medical ethics committees, individual women? 9) Should doctors and nurses be allowed to impose their moral views on patients? 10) Should religious people be allowed to impose their views about abortion on non-religious people? 11) Does Peter Singer’s argument that a human is not a person until it is conscious permit infanticide (the killing of newborn infants)? Can infanticide ever be right? 12) Are there any good arguments against adoption of unwanted babies? 13) Should abortion law be consistent across the UK? 14) How is the humanist view on this issue similar or different to that of other worldviews you have come across? 15) How are you deciding your answers to these questions?