International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

E-ISSN: 2582-2160   •   Impact Factor: 9.24

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The Moral and Ontological Status of the Fetus: Ethical Dilemmas of Abortion

Author(s) Purnima Guchhait
Country India
Abstract The central issue in the abortion debate concerns the moral status of the fetus, where pro-life views assert human life and full personhood from fertilisation, as its unique genome marks the beginning of human existence. Conversely, pro-choice arguments emphasise a woman's right to self-determination and deny fetal personhood without cognitive capacities like consciousness or reasoning, considering any potential life subordinate to the woman's autonomy. These positions highlight a conflict between two core principles: the sanctity of life and bodily autonomy. Moderate developmental perspectives acknowledge genetic individuality at conception but suggest that further maturation, such as viability or sentience, is necessary for the development of personhood. This paper analyses the development of historical opposition to abortion from ancient Hindu texts viewing feticide as disrupting karma and dharma, to Greek philosophers debating ensoulment, and modern rulings like Roe v. Wade (overturned in Dobbs v. Jackson). The paper aims to demonstrate that terminating a pregnancy is morally wrong by investigating whether the fetus has characteristics justifying moral value and a right to life. Even if the fetus falls short of strict personhood criteria like sentience or self-awareness, it still demands moral consideration as a human life at all. This paper of mine examines the moral and ontological status of the fetus within abortion ethics and critiques key philosophical arguments to oppose induced abortion.
Keywords Abortion, Fetus, Induced, Conception, Personhood, Potentiality.
Field Sociology > Philosophy / Psychology / Religion
Published In Volume 8, Issue 1, January-February 2026
Published On 2026-01-23
DOI https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2026.v08i01.67198
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E-ISSN 2582-2160
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