An even greater charity is that, when the long-awaited life finally does arrive, it is damaged so badly that medical science can do very little but alleviate its suffering to some extent. The question is whether such a child should be kept alive, and whether the quality of such a life makes the effort worthwhile. It is important here to remember that there are various points-of-view from which to see the issue. The mother for example will instinctively wish to keep her child alive for as long as possible. In certain cases, it could be possible to help a child enjoy what he or she has of life. Indeed, many parents having been through such experiences profess that their children brought them blessings and a sense of thankfulness for the time they could share.

3) Abortion

Clarifying question: It is difficult to understand the concept of life's beginning in terms of abortion. In some states and countries, abortion after a certain pregnancy term is illegal, because it is said that life has begun. Is it not...

A sperm and an egg are discarded and die when they are not used. This is not seen as murder. So an argument that pertains to the life of these cells cannot be used as moral grounds for a debate against abortion. It is on the same level as objecting against the death of skin cells or the loss of blood. Cells that were alive die in their millions on a daily basis. The same applies to the components forming the beginning of a baby. In the beginning weeks, the baby is recognizable only as cells.