RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Thomson, the right to life, and partial birth abortion or two MULES for Sister Sarah
JF Journal of Medical Ethics
JO J Med Ethics
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
SP 99
OP 101
DO 10.1136/jme.28.2.99
VO 28
IS 2
A1 P Alward
YR 2002
UL http://jme.bmj.com/content/28/2/99.abstract
AB In this paper, I argue that Thomson's famous attempt to reconcile the fetus's putative right to life with robust abortion rights is not tenable. Given her view, whether or not an abortion violates the fetus's right to life depends on the abortion procedure utilised. And I argue that Thomson's view implies that any late term abortion that involves feticide is impermissible. In particular, this would rule out the partial birth abortion technique which has been so controversial of late.