[FiftyBelow]

While a difficult topic to discuss, it's an important one. This issue has a tendency to divide people but I'm hoping that this thread will at least be a place where those with different views can understand one another and discuss respectfully. Thank you to the individuals thus far who have done so.

From the outset, I'll state that my position is one that is staunchly pro-life. I approach this issue ultimately from a human rights perspective. Scientifically speaking, human life begins at conception. At this point, the embryo--while not a fully grown human being--is a unique individual with its own unique DNA. If undisturbed, the embryo possesses all the genetic material necessary to move through the stages of development and eventually into a fully developed human. However, regardless of the stage of development, after conception, there is a human life that is present in the womb.

As such, I see the abortion issue as one that does not only affect the mother but also the life inside the womb. Recognizing that the life in the womb is human, I believe that it deserves full protection. All humans have a right to life. When addressing any human rights issue, I believe this is always the starting point for no other rights can follow if one does not have a right to life.

Many pro-choicers present a false dichotomy of the rights of the baby vs the rights of the mother. Why can't we value both? I agree with many pro-choicers that our society does not do a good job of supporting women through pregnancies. I sympathize with those who have faced the prospect of their life plans being turned upside down or their honest concerns at the quality of life that the child might face. These are important concerns and ones that nobody takes lightly. However, are they enough to justify the killing of a life? The killing of the life in the womb does not address the direct causes of lack of support, poverty, rape etc, it merely creates another victim. Instead of viewing abortions as solutions to these problems, why not foster a culture that values every life and one that strives to better support women, fights against poverty, fights rape etc?