The Right to Abortion

The Right to Abortion

 The discussion on the legality and morality of abortion appears to be an endless exchange of perspectives between opposing factions. The topic has been hotly contested from ancient days to the contemporary period. A primary challenge is the establishment of constitutional provisions on the matter that focus on the legal rights of persons without much regard for ethical considerations. Consequently, scholars have taken an interest in the subject to determine the most optimal solution to the standoff. Marquis criticizes abortion due to the effects it has on the victim. The author asserts that terminating the fetus deprives it of the future experiences existing humans have; hence, the action is morally impermissible. In contrast, Thompson defends abortion based on the right for women to control what happens to their bodies. Abortion is ethically wrong since it dispossesses the unborn child of the right to live and experience life in its own capacity.

I concur with Marquis’s viewpoint that fetuses, who have the potential to become independent human beings, have equal rights as adults to experience their future. The author posits that killing a mature person is morally impermissible because it denies them an opportunity to continue enjoying their upcoming lives (81). In the same consideration, fetuses are developing human beings, who once born will experience life in uniqueness and should, thus, be allowed to live to fulfilment. The contention is agreeable because fetuses are primarily living organisms belonging to the human species (Marquis 82). By being a member of the human class, one should be afforded all basic privileges extended to other affiliates. In this regard, abortion denies the fetus the prospect to realize their own specific familiarities others in later stages do. The rights relished by a fully-grown individual are just as valuable as those of the unborn child. Therefore, it is only logical and ethical to allow all other successive fetuses the chance to grow to the topmost natural stage without premature termination.

On the other hand, I disagree with Thompson’s emphasis on the rights of parents to control their bodies regarding abortion. The author insists that a pregnant woman has the freedom to operate her body as she wishes, thus, justifying the termination of an unwanted fetus (96). While the argument might hold for such elements as makeup and surgery, the concept of abortions attracts a heavier ethical weight since it pertains to the continued existence of another living creature. A fetus has intrinsic value as it can mature into a baby and later an independent adult. Hence, such capacity should overweigh the “right over own body” argument, which can be relevant for other physical managements. Additionally, the processes of conception and fetal development are autonomous natural events with the potential to define the future of life and should, thus, be afforded careful consideration before interfering. The author’s proposition can apply to the use of contraceptives after unprotected sex or rape to prevent conception but not after. Moreover, the ease of access to reproductive health care services raises more concern on the morality of abortion as women at risk can obtain appropriate care to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Humans are also rational beings who can think logically and make relevant decisions. The choice of insecure intercourse should consider potential consequences and the ability to endure..

Abortion is a moral wrong because it deprives a fetus the right to experience life to completeness. Marquis view that abortion denies fetuses the chance to have future encounters is relevant as their growth relates to the continued development of an adult. Thompson’s argument for the right of a mother over her body is insufficient to legitimize abortion since it entails interfering with another life.

Works Cited

Marquis, Don. “Why Abortion is immoral.” The Right Thing to do,Pp.81-87.

Thompson, Judith Jarvis. “A Defense of Abortion.”The Right Thing to do,Pp.8