Description
Most agree, and science affirms, that life begins at conception. But, who makes the decision about how that life is valued in relation to other things? In the womb or newly born, nothing changes from the perspective of the fetus, but from the point of view of the woman, everything changes. So, each person, and each woman, values life in different ways. Does this mean that some life is unworthy of life? "Lebensunwerten Leben" was the neo-Darwinist rational of the Nazis. So if you agree that some life is unworthy of life, how will you decide?
Background
This video features Ann Furedi who is the head of BPAS, the UK’s leading abortion provider. Furedi appeared on an episode of Unbelievable? with Justin Brierley. In this excerpt Brierley asks Furedi about her view that abortion should be legal for any reason up to birth and what difference it make whether the baby is within or outside the womb. The crux of her argument rests on her the following,
“In the womb or newly born, nothing changes from the perspective of the fetus, but from the point of view of the woman, everything changes. So, each person, and each woman, values life in different ways.”
Notice how Furedi concedes that a baby is a life from the moment of conception. She does not contest the medical fact of life. Instead, she shifts the argument to philosophy and argues that the human life is not a person. Consequently, the value of the baby depends on the perceptions of the mother.
Questions for discussion
If you plan to use this clip to start a group discussion, then I recommend watching the entire discussion to get the full context.
How does Furedi determine the life of the unborn baby?
If it is true that the value of the fetus depends on the perspective of the mother, what are the implications for public policy?
Why is she upset about the comparison to the Nazis?
Despite her objections, do you think the comparison between abortion and Hitler is justified? Why or why not?
Is some life unworthy of life? How will you decide?