The Status of the Foetus

Abstract

Arguments concerning the status of the foetus are not simply modern ones arising out of the increasing ability of medical science to manipulate the components of future and existing people. They have also arisen from the age-old problem of pregnancies that are for one reason or another undesirable. Consequently there exists a considerable body of opinion in society giving rise to much argument when moral dilemmas arise. These arguments are rooted in the problems of defining what is a human being, whether or not there is a moral distinction between a human being and a human person and also in questions of human rights. The results of such unresolved argument are evident in the inconsistent and ambiguous attitudes of society towards the foetus.