2-2 Abortion: Quality of Life

Question 1

Requirements of a high Quality of Life(6)

Answer 1

-Financial security
-Food
-Hygiene
-Absence of pain
-Equal opportunities
-Self-esteem

Question 2

When does the Catholic Church allow abortion?

Answer 2

When mother’s life is at risk

Question 3

When does the Church of England allow abortion?

Answer 3

They follow the ‘lesser of 2 evils’ principle in which if they have 2 bad options, they will choose the less bad one- this means they will only allow abortion when not having one will result in more harm

Question 4

hen does Islam allow abortion?

Answer 4

Before 120 days has passed since conception (this is when ensoulment occurs in Islam), but only if the mother’s life is in danger, or if the baby will have a low quality of life due to illness

Question 5

Secular arguments supporting pro-choice(4)

Answer 5

-If 2 doctors testify that the mother is at risk of dying, an abortion should be allowed
-If a woman is raped or her contraception fails, it is not her fault and she should be allowed to get an abortion
-Human life has high value and dignity and Quality of Life should be respected
-Human life doesn’t really start at contraception- it is more reasonable to argue that one’s life starts when they leave the womb and can survive independently

Question 6

Secular arguments supporting pro-life(4)

Answer 6

-The unborn child needs to be protected as stated in the UN declaration of the Rights of the Child
-An unwanted child can just be adopted by couples who want a child but can’t have their own
-Every human has a right to life- every human has the right to a decent standard of living(UN declaration of Human Rights)