When does life begin?

Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.

zsdersw

Lifer
Oct 29, 2003
10,505
2
0
The problem with "viability" is that it's not now, and will continue not to be, a fixed point in time, as medical science advances. I expect that sometime in the near future, we'll reach the point that a mother won't be needed at all - we'll be able to grow a fetus in a completely artificial womb.

Nowhere is it written that "viability" must be defined a certain way and never changed. When/if we reach the point you suggest, other definitions on when life begins will become as obvious as viability is now.
 

nehalem256

Lifer
Apr 13, 2012
15,669
8
0
Nowhere is it written that "viability" must be defined a certain way and never changed. When/if we reach the point you suggest, other definitions on when life begins will become as obvious as viability is now.

Actually an interesting question is raised. Assume artificial wombs are developed that can sustain a zygote from the moment of conception. Further assume that it is possible to suck the zygote out of the woman and place it in an artificial womb using a procedure no more invasive than a traditional abortion.

At this point viability would be from conception and abortions would no longer be necessary. Further banning abortions would no longer be controlling a woman's body.

So the question then becomes would the woman be required to care for the child after its born?

Or would viability be "redefined" so that women could continue to escape the consequences of sex, which is the real reason for abortion being legal.
 

zsdersw

Lifer
Oct 29, 2003
10,505
2
0
Actually an interesting question is raised. Assume artificial wombs are developed that can sustain a zygote from the moment of conception. Further assume that it is possible to suck the zygote out of the woman and place it in an artificial womb using a procedure no more invasive than a traditional abortion.

At this point viability would be from conception and abortions would no longer be necessary. Further banning abortions would no longer be controlling a woman's body.

So the question then becomes would the woman be required to care for the child after its born?

Or would viability be "redefined" so that women could continue to escape the consequences of sex, which is the real reason for abortion being legal.

Even in cases of rape and to protect the life of the mother?
 

zsdersw

Lifer
Oct 29, 2003
10,505
2
0
Oh I am sorry I was talking about the 99% of cases that are not about rape or for medical necessity. Which I assumed was obvious.

I know, I just wanted you to state your sexism explicitly.

I fully understand you have a real hard-on for irresponsible women... I just want you to express it unequivocally.
 

nehalem256

Lifer
Apr 13, 2012
15,669
8
0
I fully understand you have a real hard-on for irresponsible women... I just want you to express it unequivocally.

Sounds to me like someone is butt-hurt that their hypocritical lying philosophy has just been exposed.

Abortions are not about a "woman's body", but allowing her to do whatever she wants with her life. This is a right that is then denied to men who are expected to support her life choices.

My theoretical situation makes perfectly clear this is what pro-choicers are actually about. And you unwillingness to address my point makes it perfectly clear you know this.
 

hal2kilo

Lifer
Feb 24, 2009
26,036
12,271
136
The answer has nothing to do with science and science will not provide the answer.
 

zsdersw

Lifer
Oct 29, 2003
10,505
2
0
Sounds to me like someone is butt-hurt that their hypocritical lying philosophy has just been exposed.

Sounds to me like someone is butt-hurt that their blatant sexism and preoccupation with women has just been exposed.

Abortions are not about a "woman's body", but allowing her to do whatever she wants with her life. This is a right that is then denied to men who are expected to support her life choices.

I don't think men should be expected to support anyone else's choices.

My theoretical situation makes perfectly clear this is what pro-choicers are actually about. And you unwillingness to address my point makes it perfectly clear you know this.

... and then you woke up.
 
Last edited:

nehalem256

Lifer
Apr 13, 2012
15,669
8
0
Sounds to me like someone is butt-hurt that their blatant sexism and preoccupation with women has just been exposed.

What blatant sexism are you talking about? You mean expecting women to be responsible for their choices and take care of themselves?

I don't think men should be expected to support anyone else's choices.

Most of your pro-choice buddies are going to disagree with you on that.
 

zsdersw

Lifer
Oct 29, 2003
10,505
2
0
What blatant sexism are you talking about? You mean expecting women to be responsible for their choices and take care of themselves?

Your focus on and exclusive preoccupation with irresponsible women. You don't appear to have any problem at all with irresponsible men... as your lack of posts about them suggests.

Most of your pro-choice buddies are going to disagree with you on that.

I don't care what they think. But it does show that, once again, you group me with others incorrectly.
 

nehalem256

Lifer
Apr 13, 2012
15,669
8
0
Your focus on and exclusive preoccupation with irresponsible women. You don't appear to have any problem at all with irresponsible men... as your lack of posts about them suggests.

Because society already does not allow men to be "irresponsible". I focus on the difference in treatment between men and women.

The theoretical situation I presented was an excellent case study in this. As I bet most people would find making the woman take care of an artifical womb child to be absurd. While it is really no different that how men are treated now.

I don't care what they think. But it does show that, once again, you group me with others incorrectly.

I responded to this

Nowhere is it written that "viability" must be defined a certain way and never changed.

Perhaps if you responded to what I said instead of trying to derail things or deflect to irrelevant corner cases we would not have this problem.
 

Jaskalas

Lifer
Jun 23, 2004
35,732
10,043
136
The problem with "viability" is that it's not now, and will continue not to be, a fixed point in time, as medical science advances. I expect that sometime in the near future, we'll reach the point that a mother won't be needed at all - we'll be able to grow a fetus in a completely artificial womb.

Or even transplant one to be aborted into this womb.

Life begins at conception. The question is when is that life developed enough to be legally protected.

That makes a lot more sense.
 

zsdersw

Lifer
Oct 29, 2003
10,505
2
0
Because society already does not allow men to be "irresponsible". I focus on the difference in treatment between men and women.

Bullshit. Society coddles male irresponsibility all the time.

I responded to this

Perhaps if you responded to what I said instead of trying to derail things or deflect to irrelevant corner cases we would not have this problem.

No, you responded to me calling you a sexist by assuming I was like the pro-choice people you have a problem with.
 

DCal430

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2011
6,020
9
81
The burden of proof is on you - provide verifiable facts from reputable sources.

No the burden of proof is on those who claim such laws, I can't prove something doesn't exist.

The late DR. Tiller performed many late term abortions for reasons of mental health, such as severe depression, and we know depression can be easily faked.
 
Last edited:

SheHateMe

Diamond Member
Jul 21, 2012
7,251
20
81
No the burden of proof is on those who claim such laws, I can't prove something doesn't exist.

The late DR. Tiller performed many late term abortions for reasons of mental health, such as severe depression, and we know depression can be easily faked.

Yet you have ZERO proof that any of Dr. Tiller's patients faked their mental illness.

Wow.


You keep saying that Depression can be easily faked, but you have no proof that suggests your opinion is true. That's why you are being asked for sources.
 

nehalem256

Lifer
Apr 13, 2012
15,669
8
0
Yet you have ZERO proof that any of Dr. Tiller's patients faked their mental illness.

Probably because it would violate medical privacy laws to do so.

You keep saying that Depression can be easily faked, but you have no proof that suggests your opinion is true. That's why you are being asked for sources.

Woman: I feel depressed

Tiller: Ok, lets get you an abortion

Does it really sound difficult to you?
 

zsdersw

Lifer
Oct 29, 2003
10,505
2
0
You mean by throwing them in jail? ^_^

No, by giving them all sorts of handouts, agreeing with all kinds of excuses, rewarding their behavior with all kinds of bailouts.

Because you deflected from the question posed exactly like they would have.

Sure, make whatever excuses for your stupidity (in lumping me with others incorrectly) that you want... lots of other men do it.
 

DCal430

Diamond Member
Feb 12, 2011
6,020
9
81
Yet you have ZERO proof that any of Dr. Tiller's patients faked their mental illness.

Wow.


You keep saying that Depression can be easily faked, but you have no proof that suggests your opinion is true. That's why you are being asked for sources.

Of course I don't know for certain it miss factual, it just my opinion that it is easily faked.