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From: dave@circadia.UUCP (David Messer)
Newsgroups: net.abortion
Subject: Re: Re: Re: The Status of the Fetus and Its Rights (Humanity Defined)
Message-ID: <181@circadia.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 11-Oct-85 00:31:48 EDT
Article-I.D.: circadia.181
Posted: Fri Oct 11 00:31:48 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 12-Oct-85 19:37:02 EDT
References: <429@cmu-cs-spice.ARPA> <1546@pyuxd.UUCP> <998@brl-tgr.ARPA> <1597@pyuxd.UUCP> <1095@brl-tgr.ARPA> <214@3comvax.UUC <1335@ihlpg.11 Oct 85 04:31:48 GMT
Organization: Quest Research Inc., Burnsville, MN
Lines: 32

> > [ME]
> > It seems rather clear to me.  There is obviously not a concensus as
> > to the humanity of the fetus.  Since this disention exists we should
> > choose a course that will produce the least damage if we are wrong.
> > 
> > It seems to me (and I can see the flames coming...) that the damage
> > caused to the fetus is greater, if abortion is allowed and it turns
> > out later that the fetus is human, than the damage caused to the
> > mother if abortion is not allowed.
> > 
> > We should, therefor, not allow abortion until we can get a concensus.
> -------
> Nonsense.  First of all, the question is not whether the fetus is human.
> Of course a human fetus is human.  What is it, a chicken?  The question
> is whether the fetus is a HUMAN BEING, or only a POTENTIAL HUMAN BEING.
> Second, and more important, the question of whether the fetus is
> or is not a human being is not a scientific question, but a matter
> of semantics.  There are no missing relevant facts which would allow
> it to "turn out" later that the fetus is or is not a human being.
> You state your precise definition of the term HUMAN BEING, and I will
> tell you RIGHT NOW whether or not the fetus is a human being according
> to your definition.
> -- 
> Bill Tanenbaum - AT&T Bell Labs - Naperville IL  ihnp4!ihlpg!tan

You miss the point; I admit to the fact that different people
have different opinions regarding the status of a fetus.  Therefor,
my solution is to minimize damage until we decide (if ever).
-- 

David Messer   UUCP:  ...ihnp4!circadia!dave
               FIDO:  14/415 (SYSOP)