Word: hrl
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...While HRL would prefer that abortion clinics not be allowed to exist at all, and SFC would prefer that they be federally-funded, there are some measures both groups recommended. Most importantly, we both emphatically and unanimously denounce all violence against abortion providers or clinics. We also agreed that clinics ought to have better safety regulations and conditions. In addition, women who go to a clinic should receive complete and honest information about the abortion procedure, as well as on other options available, such as adoption...
...Finally, HRL did agree that abortion to save the life of the mother is morally acceptable. HRL allows for such an exception because in that case there is not a direct intention to kill. The intent is to save the life of the mother, and the death of the fetus is an undesired consequence. For example, consider the situation of a pregnant woman with cancer who needs chemotherapy. Even if the chemotherapy will probably end the pregnancy, the aim is saving the mother's life. SFC supports abortion in this case, in addition to supporting a woman's choice...
...emphasis on intent and on "killing," however, pointed our conversation to the areas in which HRL and SFC simply had to agree to disagree. On issues such as parental notification laws, waiting periods, late-term abortions and particularly the dilation-and-extraction procedure, the two groups could find no ground for compromise. SFC opposes any and all restrictions to a woman's choice. It does note, however, that some abortion-rights supporters may be more willing to compromise on these issues...
...fundamental area of disagreement between HRL and SFC is the definition of personhood. The two groups agree that the fetus is biologically human, but disagree on whether humanity automatically implies personhood, and whether this issue should be the focus of the debate. SFC views the fetus as a "potential life," in the words of Roe v. Wade, but not yet a full human person. Its position within the woman's body, and its status of complete dependency on her, situates it as part of her body rather than as its own separate entity...
...HRL, all human beings are human persons because personhood is inherent in the nature of a human being. This status is independent of all external factors, including dependency, level of development, level of intelligence, and consciousness. While SFC strongly disagrees, HRL contends that any argument placing conditions on a human being's personhood bases human rights on an arbitrary decision and can be used to justify infanticide just as easily as abortion. Further, HRL believes that tying the value of human life to its "quality" is extremely dangerous and can justify the killing of the weakest and most defenseless members...