Ectogenesis and the Right to Life - Discussion Note on Pruski and Playford’s, “Artificial Wombs, Thomson and Abortion – What Might Change?”
Ectogenesis and the Right to Life - Discussion Note on Pruski and Playford’s, “Artificial Wombs, Thomson and Abortion – What Might Change?”
Author(s): Prabhpal SinghSubject(s): Ethics / Practical Philosophy, Book-Review
Published by: Instytut Filozofii Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego
Keywords: book review; Michal Pruski; Richard C. Playford;
Summary/Abstract: In this discussion note on Michal Pruski and Richard C. Playford’s “Artificial Wombs, Thomson and Abortion – What Might Change?,” I consider whether the prospect of ectogenesis technology would make abortion impermissible. I argue that a Thomson-style defense may not become inapplicable due to the right to life being conceived as a negative right. Further, if Thomson-style defenses do become inapplicable, those who claim that ectogenesis would be an obligatory alternative to abortion cannot do so without first showing that fetuses have a right to life, something that Thomson assumed rather than argued for. I also include a discussion on ethical problems concerning what to do about children born from artificial wombs put there by those who looked to terminate their pregnancies because they sought to avoid parenthood.
Journal: Diametros
- Issue Year: 19/2022
- Issue No: 74
- Page Range: 51-56
- Page Count: 6
- Language: English