Circumcision

[jedusor]

I can't believe this is even debatable. I can't believe that in a society we consider civilized, I have to actually present a structured argument against cutting off pieces of babies when they're born.

Comments

[ertchin.livejournal.com]

Assuming that the procedure is otherwise basically the same as the postpartum version, yes.

[canadianpuzzler.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your honesty, and I respect your consistency in this regard.

I will refrain from asking you the obvious next question, which is loaded with consistency and political correctness issues. I will, however, point out that taking the position you have taken is consistent with fetal rights and therefore inconsistent with any pro-choice position you may espouse.

[ertchin.livejournal.com]

I will point out that you may be assuming a contradiction where none exists. I can neither describe myself as pro-life or pro-choice, as those terms are usually used; I find neither conception nor birth to be a convincing point for the commencement of one's humanity.

[kaberett.livejournal.com]

I think that argument is flawed from the point of view of who procedures are "meant" to affect (bearing in mind that pregnancy to term does irreversibly change women's bodies and is a risky activity) - I think a distinction can be made between the foetus being intended to be born and, well, not, in terms of what it's ethical to do with it, but I need to go away and think about this some more and possibly shoulnd't be saying anything that inflammatory while heading out to lectures...

[canadianpuzzler.livejournal.com]

So if the foetus has rights if and only if the mother intends for it to be born, do those rights exist, then vanish, if the mother wants the child to be born for the first two trimesters, then changes her mind at the start of the third?