In vitro fertilization, abortion, and women’s health

Abstract

The curtailing (banning) IVF (in vitro fertilization) was a logical decision made from a bad but clear, decisive definition of what it means to be human. This definition of being human starts from the observation that each human is a unique fusion of a male gamete and a female egg. If we make the assumption that genetics determines humanness, then each zygote is a human and should be granted the rights of humans. Since the balls of cells derived from a zygote but before implantation in the uterus is the primary product of IVF, then IVF should be curtailed. The details of pregnancy are outlined in this article in order to decide when the right to life should be granted to zygotes and embryos. It is proposed that early in pregnancy, up to about week 18-20, no rights should be granted to the fetus and women should be allowed to have an abortion as they wish. After this time, abortions should be restricted to medical conditions associated with the fetus or to preserve the life, health, and fertility of the woman.  At 35^th week of pregnancy, there should be a ban on abortions, since the fetus can nearly live apart from the mother. This proposal is designed to give the fetus increasing rights as it develops.