Why the immorality of consuming alcohol during pregnancy cannot tell us that abortion is immoral: A reply to Hendricks. (3rd March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lundgren, Björn
• Is Part Of: Bioethics. Volume 35:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 388
• Page End: 389
• Publication Date: 2021-03-03
• Subjects: abortion -- impairment argument; Bioethics -- Periodicals; 174.957
• DOI: 10.1111/bioe.12867
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9702

Abstract

Abstract: Recently, Perry Hendricks argued that abortion is immoral even if the fetus is not a person. He did so by arguing that causing a future child to suffer from fetal alcohol syndrome is wrong because it is an impairment, and an abortion would be an even more substantial impairment. Here I reply that the argument depends on ignoring relevant facts that are essential for moral decision‐making. Moreover, if we adapt the argument to consider these essential facts, then the argument fails because it no longer applies to the case under consideration.