(September 30, 2015 at 2:05 pm)Irrational Wrote:(September 30, 2015 at 1:31 pm)ChadWooters Wrote: Actually it is. Any living fertilized egg is a genetically distinct example of that species at its earliest stage of development. I completely agree that a woman owns her own body. The fertilized egg inside her is not her own body; but rather, another very very young human being with its own individual DNA.
It's (1) inside her body and (2) uses her bodily resources for its survival. If you respect woman's right to own her body, then you should respect her right to choose what to do with the fetus inside her body.
Again, though no has addressed if the father has a say. This is what makes abortion so tough because of the variables involved in the decision. That fetus is half the mother and half the father. Let's not bring up cases of rape/incest, etc. Lets speak strictly in terms of a consensual relationship. The couple gets pregnant and the mother doesn't want the baby, but the father does. Is it solely the mother's choice because she is carrying it? It's tough. Put yourself in the situation, if you are a man and your wife/GF/fiancee announces she's pregnant and you are over the moon excited, but then she tells you she doesn't want it. How would you react?
"Well right now it's just a parasite feeding off of you and it's your body"
"Just a collection of cells and it's your choice"
"I've been dying to have a child and the baby is part of me as well"
I'm not lending any credence to one response over the other as I think each situation is different and that's what makes abortion so tough to discuss because it's not an easy blanket answer for all situations.
We are not made happy by what we acquire but by what we appreciate.