Should infanticide be permitted in certain cases?
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2
points
I don't think killing an infant is morally just unless the infant is in excruciating physical pain that cannot be alleviated by anything but an easy death. If there is a chance the condition can be stabilized or pain can be alleviated without death we must take it because the child deserves a shot at a full life. And parents' desire to not want a disable child does not take priority over the child's right to life. I don't think killing an infant is morally just unless the infant is in excruciating physical pain that cannot be alleviated by anything but an easy death. That’s your opinion yes If there is a chance the condition can be stabilized or pain can be alleviated without death we must take it because the child deserves a shot at a full life. Who is “we” , what gives you a right to choose for someone else? And parents' desire to not want a disable child does not take priority over the child's right to life. So a parent who does not want a profoundly mentally handicapped child has to have it because it has a “right “ to life , why should it have a “right” to life? 1
point
Who is "we"? The American people/government/society. It is the purpose of government to protect the general welfare of its citizens and once this baby is born...it is a citizen of the united states. Even if the parents don't want anything to do with the child, we can at least step up as a community to care for these children. Me pushing for government support for this child to have a chance at a painless life and to survive to a point where he can make his own decisions is no more immoral than a parent deciding to end that life. What gives the parent the right to choose for someone else whether they live or die. Especially if that someone is not under excruciating pain and can survive to have a normal life al beit with a disability. And perhaps that child will grow to make a rational decision to kill himself...assisted suicide is not something I am against. The point is even if the parents don't want anything to do with this child, there are others out there willing to help. Though the parents must bear some responsibility in the end as they are neglecting a child because of his disability. I am not saying they ought to be responsible for raising the child, but they are to be involved in the process of getting the child into a family or living situation where the child can be looked after. And you ask "why should it have a right to life?" Well, why should YOU have a right to life? If you are saying this child's right to life ought not be respected then you are saying your right to life ought not be respected and I should be able to trample over you, subjugate you, or take your life without due process or repercussions. So long as this child is American, assuming this child was born here, he does have the same equal protection granted under the Fourteenth Amendment. This implies the same right to life that we all have. 1
point
This is truly the smart/compassionate route: 1. If you don't want children or cannot care for children, do not have sex without contraceptives. 2. If those contraceptives fail and you have an unwanted pregnancy, get an aborition. 3. If you are pregnant and pass the abortion point and still don't want the kid or can't care for it, put it up for adoption. 4. If you do want the kid, but know you can't care for a severely disabled one; know that your child can potentially be disabled and you might have to find care for it. 5. If you can care for it and don't mind it, then care for it or pay someone to do it. 6. If you lack the time, funds, or energy to care for it; the government SHOULD step in to assist 7. If it is proven that the child will endure severe suffering, then you can kill it. |
