From: aelarsen@facstaff.wisc.edu
Date: Fri 04 Feb 2000 - 17:22:26 EET
>From: "Hibbs, Philip" <philip.hibbs@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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