Abortion

From: aelarsen_at_facstaff.wisc.edu
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2000 09:22:26 -0600

>From: "Hibbs, Philip" <philip.hibbs_at_tnt.co.uk>
>Subject: RE: In a (Broo) Family Way
>
>>Actually, I think the vow is to not harm a sentient creature
>>(somebody correct me if I'm wrong).
>
>Would a broo larva be considered sentient? I don't think so, I think anyone in
>Orlanthi society who suggested that it was would be laughed out of town. I
>don't think any unborn child would be regarded as being a sentient, I don't
>think most CA would have a problem performing an abortion right up until term.
>
>Does anyone have any info on how ancient cultures viewed this moral dilemma? I
>know the Romans extended abortion rights to somewhere around the 200th month
>after conception, but that's pushing the envelope a little.

        200th month! That's a long pregancy! Or are you discussing infanticide and the right of paterfamilias to execute his children?

        The Hippocratic oath includes a line about not administering abortifacients to women, so they seem to have had some issue with it, but it may have been intended to make it obvious if women had fooled around.

        The Hebrews permitted abortion until the fetus began to move in the womb. This 'quickening' was considered the moment when the soul entered the body. Aristotle held a similar position.

        The Romans employed abortion to limit family size, and the widespread practice of infanticide prevented the development of any notion that the fetus had any legal rights or value. Under Septimius Severus, a woman had to obtain her husband's consent for an abortion, but it was not otherwise illegal.

        At some moments and places during the Middle Ages, abortion was illegal, although some medical authorities favored abortions to save the life of the mother.

Andrew E. Larsen

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