quote:
There are so many different views on the value of life that it's tough to pit these ideas against one another.

For instance, I dont view all human life as equal. A fetus doesnt have the same societal value as a five year old, but it has far more value than someone who kills people as a hobby. I support the death penalty because I view the latter form of life as essentially worthless to society, and largely oppose abortion because while it isnt "murder" in my opinion it deprives a future person the chance at life usually for convenience. Such an act sets a terrible precedent for society as a whole regardless of how valuable a fetus is.

And if that fetus grows up to be a murderer?

This is kind of an argument that'll never get resolved because we both view the value of life differently. I already stated that it's the capacity of suffering that dictates my direction.

That a fetus can be good, does not mean it will be good. It's all gray matter, waiting to be sorted out by life. There will always be more as long as we exist, and every year millions of fertilized cells fail to implant and get flushed out.

It's a part of life, an ugly one, but it's as natural as anything else in the world. No one holds ceremonies for those that are flushed, I don't see why I should give an inordinate amount of respect to those who are only but a little more developed.