Rob,
You questioned if a baby was alive before the heart starts beating, I don't think it is that simple of a question. We have already covered here that everyones definition of when life starts is different, and until we can come to a clear understanding of when this life starts the point is mute. I mentioned my experience in an earlier post. The fetus continued to grow inside of me, with all the neccessary parts, without a heartbeat. I was the host, providing everything it needed to survive until it was to enter this world. Or until nature realized there was a mistake and aborted the fetus.
A better question would be, if the baby cannot survive outside of the womb, is it alive? Then I would answer the question, no. I feel up until the point the baby is outside of the womb, the mother has full responsibility and is the sole decision maker on the end result of the child. And it has already been mentioned that this can occur as early as 24 weeks. As a matter of fact, after the baby is born, she really has a minimal say in health matters concerning the child. Everything that she does at this point will be scrutinized by society.
Abaddon,
I never replied to your previous comment
"Remember, at least a third of fertilised eggs don't even implant. Nature kills off the eggs that don't suit life. Many animals will euthanise their young, or abort, if conditions do not suit life. I think it is fair (and I'm not saying you oppose this viewpoint) that a woman, even using technological means, ends a pregnancy is conditions do not suit life. It isn't un-natural at all, even if the method are un-natural."I would like to comment on that now. It is true that most fertilized eggs do not implant, but those are not even in question when it comes to the abortion issue, because nature takes care of that. As for animals euthanizing their young, this is a fact. When a pup is born sick, we see it or out of 8 kittens the mother eats the runt, we all understand why she does this.
When children are born and they have severe disabilities, have you ever heard of a hospital suggesting we put the baby to death? Why not? Because we are not animals. We have evolved past that point, our reasoning abilities are more advanced, and our emotions can in no way be compared to an animal.
When you said ending a pregnancy based on conditions that do not suit life. I am assuming that you are refering to a woman aborting because there is something physically wrong with the fetus. I will agree with you on this point. Or are you refering to a woman ending a pregnancy because it will interfere with her life? If you are, I can not agree with that personally, though I do know of many circumstances that can bring this about. There are many other options beside ending a life.
I think what bothers me the most about this issue is that woman do not realize the emotional burden this act will bring on. Years after an abortion, woman still continue to suffer emotionally from it. Mostly this is due to not being aware of all the other options available. If a woman is educated to the other possibilities, then a decision can be made that will coincide with her conscience, thus making it an easier decision, and one that is filled with no regret. I hate that the education on such matters is lacking in this country.
wendy
Blind faith can justify anything.~Richard Dawkins