Protecting Human Dignity: Reframing the Abortion Debate to Respect the Dignity of Choice and Life

Halliday, Samantha

Abstract

This article sets out an alternative framework for viewing and regulating the unique biological state that is pregnancy, by reference to the protection of human dignity. It focusses upon the context of abortion, arguing that reproductive exceptionalism must end and that rather than focussing upon a right to elect an abortion, more emphasis is needed upon supporting the pregnant woman throughout pregnancy, upon respecting human dignity. Reframing the debate about reproductive decision-making in this manner demands that her autonomous choices are respected, but also requires that her autonomy be fostered/promoted and that she is enabled to participate in decision-making to the greatest extent possible. Respect for human dignity also requires that the woman’s choice is informed, that she takes account of the foetus in making that choice, and that the state facilitates not only the making of the choice through information, but also ensures that there is a real choice to be made.

Citation

Halliday, S. (2016). Protecting Human Dignity: Reframing the Abortion Debate to Respect the Dignity of Choice and Life. Contemporary Issues in Law, 13(4), 287-322

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 25, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Mar 1, 2016
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2016
• Deposit Date: Oct 2, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 2, 2019
• Journal: Contemporary issues in law.
• Print ISSN: 1357-0374
• Publisher: Lawtext Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 13
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 287-322
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1319846
• Publisher URL: https://www.lawtext.com/publication/contemporary-issues-in-law/contents/volume-13/issue-4
• Related Public URLs: http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/99751/1/S%20Halliday%20Protecting%20Human%20Dignity%20-%20Reframing%20the%20Abortion%20Debate.pdf