I'm dubious on the scientific accuracy of the claim that a fetus is 'part of a woman's body'. They are connected biologically to be sure, but the way it makes it sound is as if its an appendix. Every part of a person's own body contains the same genetic blueprint.
"Or, to put it another way, whether fetuses are people is a question mark, but whether women are people whose lives are going to be irreversibly altered by being forced to bear children is NOT a question mark. Guess which side I side with.
I agree with the first part. Personhood is subjective, but material existence is not The consequences, as difficult and life-altering as they are for the woman cannot compare with the consequences of being denied existence (which is a separate and scientifically observable phenomenon different from personhood). One can mitigate the consequences for the woman because she's still alive and capable of being helped. One cannot mitigate the consequences for having one's existence denied. That defines the side of the line I've come down on.
no subject
"Or, to put it another way, whether fetuses are people is a question mark, but whether women are people whose lives are going to be irreversibly altered by being forced to bear children is NOT a question mark. Guess which side I side with.
I agree with the first part. Personhood is subjective, but material existence is not The consequences, as difficult and life-altering as they are for the woman cannot compare with the consequences of being denied existence (which is a separate and scientifically observable phenomenon different from personhood). One can mitigate the consequences for the woman because she's still alive and capable of being helped. One cannot mitigate the consequences for having one's existence denied. That defines the side of the line I've come down on.