Harming the non-conscious

Bioethics. 1999 Jul;13(3-4):294-305. doi: 10.1111/1467-8519.00158.

Abstract

Peter Singer has argued that nothing done to a fetus before it acquires consciousness can harm it. At the same time, he concedes that a child can be harmed by something done to it when it was a non-conscious fetus. But this implies that the non-conscious fetus can be harmed. The mistake lies in thinking that, since existence can be instrinsically bad for a being only if it is conscious, it can be harmed only if it is conscious. In fact, its being harmed only implies that it could have been conscious (and led a good life).

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Induced*
  • Beginning of Human Life*
  • Brain
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Embryonic and Fetal Development*
  • Ethics*
  • Fetal Research*
  • Fetus*
  • Homicide
  • Humans
  • Individuality
  • Life*
  • Personhood
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects
  • Quality of Life
  • Research*
  • Tissue Donors
  • Tissue and Organ Procurement
  • Value of Life
  • Wounds and Injuries*

Personal name as subject

  • Peter Singer