I am more often than not pro-choice on the issue of fetus abortion. It occurred to me that, if fetuses have more intrinsic future value than old people, it would be intellectually untenable to be pro-life (anti-death-panel) with regard to the aged. Here I list some of the pro-choice arguments I found on the internet, as applied to abortion of old people.
* Nearly all abortions take place in the first trimester, when a fetus cannot exist independent of the mother. As it is attached by the placenta and umbilical cord, its health is dependent on her health, and cannot be regarded as a separate entity as it cannot exist outside her womb.
Nearly all abortion take place on and after the 225th trimester, when an old person cannot exist independent of society. As it is attached by family means, social security and medicare funding, its health is dependent on society's wealth, and cannot be regarded as a separate entity as it cannot exist outside society's umbrella of protection.
* The concept of personhood is different from the concept of human life. Human life occurs at conception, but fertilized eggs used for in vitro fertilization are also human lives and those not implanted are routinely thrown away. Is this murder, and if not, then how is abortion murder?
The concept of personhood is different from the concept of human life. Human life occurs until death, and scientific studies have shown that nature routinely kills all humans that aren't dead by artificial means 100% of the time, no exceptions. Is this murder, and if not, then how is abortion murder?
* Abortion is a safe medical procedure. The vast majority of women - 88% - who have an abortion do so in their first trimester. Medical abortions have less than 0.5% risk of serious complications and do not affect a woman's health or future ability to become pregnant or give birth.
Abortion is a safe medical procedure. The vast majority of old people- 100% - who have an abortion do so in their last trimester. Medical abortions have less than 0.0% risk of serious complications and do not affect an old person's health or future ability to become pregnant or give birth, because he/she could not reproduce or survive anyway, and, furthermore, is now dead.
* Teenagers who become mothers have grim prospects for the future. They are much more likely to leave school; receive inadequate prenatal care; rely on public assistance to raise a child; develop health problems; or end up divorced.
Old people who become ill have grim prospects for the future. They are much more likely to leave life; receive inadequate geriatric care; rely on public assistance to raise themselves; develop even more health problems; or end up dead.
* Like any other difficult situation, abortion creates stress. Yet the American Psychological Association found that stress was greatest prior to an abortion, and that there was no evidence of post-abortion syndrome.
Like any other difficult situation, abortion creates stress. Yet the American Psychological Association found that stress was greatest prior to an abortion, and that there was no evidence of post-abortion syndrome, since the patients are now dead.
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