What do you think? “The basic argument against abortion, on which all others build, is that the unborn child is already a human being, a person, a bearer of rights, and that abortion is therefore murder” (Mackie)

Application of Aquinas’ NML to abortion To know key facts about abortion To understand different views To be able to apply NML to abortion

Abortion and Natural Law In humans the embryo stage is 14 days to 8 weeks after conception. Abortion by means of the suction method. 0-5 days. A cell formed of the sperm and ovum (egg), which develops into the embryo according encoded genetic information 5-14 days. A group of multiplying cells From the end of the eight week after conception until major structures are developed. Abortion by means of the abortion pill. Blastocyst Embryo Foetus Medical abortion Surgical abortion Zygote “Personhood may be one thing and human life another; hence it is possible to argue that, while the Zygote may not be a person, there is no logical alternative to regarding it as the first stage in human life”(Mason and Laurie)

Key Terms: match them up In humans the embryo stage is the first three months after conception. Abortion by means of the suction method. A cell formed of the sperm and ovum (egg), which develops into the embryo according encoded genetic information A group of multiplying cells Unborn baby from the end of the eight week after conception until birth. Abortion by means of the abortion pill. Blastocyst Embryo Foetus Medical abortion Surgical abortion Zygote “Personhood may be one thing and human life another; hence it is possible to argue that, while the Zygote may not be a person, there is no logical alternative to regarding it as the first stage in human life”(Mason and Laurie)

Basic facts: What is the development of a foetus? Conception? Zygote? Blastocyst? Embryo? Foetus? What is the law? 1967 – What law was introduced? 1990 – How was the law changed?

When does life begin? “Whether or not abortion should be legal turns on the answer to the question of whether and at what point a foetus is a person. This is a question that can not be answered logically or empirically. The concept of personhood is neither logical or empirical; it is essentially a religious, or quasi-religious idea, based on one’s fundamental (and therefore unverifiable) assumptions about the nature of the world’ (Campos) 39 Weeks (birth) 0 Weeks “The dilemma of the gynaecologist who is there to relieve a woman of her foetus, however, is that there is now an infant who, on any interpretation, is entitled to a birth certificate, and, if necessary, a certificate as to the cause of death” (Mason and Laurie)

What Biblical teachings is it based on? “Honour God with your body” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 The Latin phrase for ‘image of God’ is ’imago dei’. Catholic teaching stresses that humans were made imago dei- all humans are holy and should be protected and respected. “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s Temple, and that God’s spirit lives in you” 1 Corinthians 3:16 Sanctity of life This is the Catholic belief that life is sacred and should be protected and respected at all times. What Biblical teachings is it based on? “So God created them in his own image” Genesis 1:27 “God breathed into Adam the breath of life” Genesis 2:4-7 “If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” Romans 14:8

Is the sanctity of life true for everyone? “We may take the doctrine of the sanctity of human life to be no more than a way of saying that human life has some very special value…The view that human life has unique value is deeply rooted in our society and is enshrined in our law! (Singer)

Why do we find disability more acceptable grounds? Law on the grounds of ‘abnormality’ allow the gynaecologist to destroy a foetus BUT is not seen as the unlawful killing of a ‘creature in being’. This type of abortion allows for a birth and death certificate – then why isn’t such a ‘person’ protected to the full extent of the law? “To kill a human adult is murder, and is unhesitatingly and universally condemned. Yet there is no obvious sharp line which marks the zygote from the adult. Hence the problem’ (Peter Singer)

These people are called “Pro- choice”. Non-religious views Some people believe that all life is sacred and that abortion should never take place. These people are called “Pro-life”. They often go to extreme lengths to stop abortions taking place. Some people believe that it is the Mother’s choice as to whether an abortion should take place. These people are called “Pro- choice”. Look at use of language http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peezG_HUnKk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8FjtTDw834

Which of these words are related to… Topic Key Words Which of these words are related to… Word Bank: Embryo/Foetus Various pet names It An accident Him/her He/she Pregnancy Unplanned pregnancy Boy/girl Unwanted pregnancy Unborn baby/child Person Products of pregnancy Human tissue A potential human being Baby Human being with potential A mistake Child Pro life: Pro Choice: These words are personal and recognize the humanity of the unborn child. How does the language we use make a difference? These words are impersonal, often scientific and do not recognize the humanity of the unborn by referring to the medical condition of the mother, i.e. ‘the pregnancy’

Key words: Use these words to summarise religious, law, pro-life and pro-choice views. Birth Consciousness Ensoulment Potential Pro-choice Pro-life Quickening Relational factors Sanctity of life Viability The point at which the child is separated from the mother and becomes a separate entity. Awareness of self The point where the soul enters the body. The possibility, at conception, of becoming a human person. Supporting women’s rights to have abortions. Against abortion. Traditionally, when the child is first felt to move inside the mother. Different interpretations of the same words/terms, depending on the view point of the observer. (Peter Vardy) The belief that life is sacred or holy, given by God. The ability to grow and develop into an adult, especially the ability of the child to exist without the dependence on the mother PRINT OFF FOR STUDENTS

Casuistry: Application of NML to abortion… Does it fulfil the primary precepts? Can it be considered a secondary precept that fulfils a primary precept?

Summarise Howard Kainz: Conflicting precepts. In the case of abortion, two other precepts are more relevant than there precept about the ‘preservation of life’ – That of the right to procreation and the right to nurture off spring. What if the woman’s life was in danger; ‘Those who apply the first precept often make exception for situations threatening the life of the mother, since there is a conflict between two rights to life’ However Kainz, mentions rape; ‘of every woman has a right to conceive and procreate, and if this right implies that she has a right to make that choice voluntarily , no more infractions of that right than rape and incest can be complicated’ In other words, if one uses the principle of exception for the 1st precept, then you have to admit that the possibility of applying the two precepts of right to procreation and nurturing offspring (just as on has a right to preserve one’s life, one also that an equal right to preserve one’s choice to procreate) Rape violates this choice

Virtuous behaviour??? ‘Christian principles may supersede considerations of conflicts of right related to Natural Law’ (Kainz) Sacrificing your life for your child, or raising a child regardless of the circumstances of conception, are classic examples of virtuous behaviour, what Kainz called ‘heroic virtue’ to ‘go the other mile’

What about…Double Effect? We have already studied this Four conditions must be met if the action is to be morally permissible: That we do not wish evil effects and make efforts to avoid them. The immediate effect be good in itself. That evil is not made to obtain the good effect. That the good effect be as important (proportionate) at leave as the evil effect.

Double effect… The doctrine of double effect does permit death of the foetus, but only as a by-product of another act i.e. the intention was not to kill the foetus. E.G. Giving a woman life saving treatment (chemotherapy) when it would lead to the death of the foetus.

So can we apply these ideas?... Interior and exterior Acts? Real and apparent goods?

Virtues? Fortitude?? Agape Prudence??? True and good course of action through; Council – consideration of possible actions. Judgement – picking a course of action. Command – application of judgement. This is the art of casuistry

AO1: Examine the application of Natural Law to abortion Read the answer applying NML to abortion. Give them a development points. Add your own paragraph or rewrite a paragraph to make it better.

Consolidation activity What would a Roman Catholic, and a follower of NML, say to a woman considering abortion?