PIP: The abortion issue is polarized between 2 strong constituencies, one seeking maximum choice for the mother and the other for the protection of life of the unborn child. The issue here is the "conceptus", that is, the period of human development from conception to birth, usually occurring in the mother's body. One can be both prolife and prochoice, since neither life or choice is absolute in respect to the other. During pregnancy there is a interim functional connection between persons of 2 successive generations, therefore neither life nor choice can completely dominate without denigrating the other. In this situation they can be valued individually, but judgement as to their relative priority must be combined, especially if there is conflict. The status and nature of each must be defined to reach a balance. The conflicting issues must be dealt with in areas of contraception, in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, cryopreservation, fetal therapy, transplantation of embryonic or fetal tissue, and experiments on fetuses and embryos. The current range of reproductive options is a result of years of research and medical change. A review should be made of everything scientifically known of the developing unborn before policy decisions are made. The differences between a pre-embryo, an embryo and fetus must be carefully weighed before setting standards on ethical treatment of the unborn in relation to abortion, or other reproductive interventions. A national commission could be set up to analyze current and new knowledge and make recommendations for public debate and formation of policy.