PHLB09H3 Lecture Notes - Fetus, Lifesaving, Microcephaly
Document Summary
John seymour: a pregnant woman"s decision to decline treatment: how should the law. Declining treatment during pregnancy and immediately after birth: Traditionally, two opposing views about the relationship between the pregnant woman the fetus: 1) fetus and woman are single entity. Fetus does not have interests that the law should recognize: this view shows that the fetus is not an entity until birth. In a way, it can be seen at 9 months that the woman is sort of holding the baby captive inside: 2) fetus and woman are separate entities. Alternative: 3) fetus and woman are separate entities that are indivisibly linked. Allows that the fetus has interests that the law may, in certain circumstances, recognize. Part of the woman"s body: treats the fetus like a body part . Problems: does not acknowledge the social context of the fetus . Separate entities: the view that there . Possibilities: all the rights and legal protection conferred upon a child? .