Illegal abortions in the UK

[Horwood Beer-Master]

Long life with health is fine as long as you ban children...

Or delay/limit them. Just think of all the wisdom you could impart to a child if you have them at the age of 110, whilst still possessing the stamina and vitality of a 25 year-old.

[MrJonno]

Long life with health is fine as long as you ban children...

Or delay/limit them. Just think of all the wisdom you could impart to a child if you have them at the age of 110, whilst still possessing the stamina and vitality of a 25 year-old.

Can you imagine the conservation when I was your age all this was fields!

[Coito ergo sum]

CES wrote:

Oh, I don't know. Improving cognitive ability and functioning is a good thing.

Doubting its possibility is one thing. However, assuming it were possible, I don't see anything wrong with it. Is there something more "human" about our current statistical spread of intelligence levels? I don't think so. Evolution altered human intelligence naturally. What's wrong with doing it artificially?

As for your last point - sure. But, in terms of the OP issue - so what? What's the next step in the analysis? That women who don't want girl (or boy) babies ought to be forced to have them?

It is quite likely, in a complex system like the genetic underpinning of human cognition, that you simply cannot change "one thing". It is very possible that an improvement in one cognitive dimension such as intelligence be accompanied by a deterioration in some other aspect, that may not show up until it's too late. That's what I meant by unintended consequences.

I don't think there is any evidence that this is the case.

As to the ethical question of choosing an abortion to eliminate have a baby of unwanted gender, it is not a question of forbidding such a free choice, but removing the absurd cultural framework which is the irrational background to that choice. And I'm not sure how free the choice would be anyway - pressure from husbands and extended family may make the "freedom" of women in such situations moot...

In terms of a woman being forbidden to have an abortion because she advances the wrong reason for it, it is most certainly a question of forbidding a free choice (or the law compelling people to lie, because if they know that the right reasons must be advanced then they'll just say "I'm not ready" or some other "valid" reason). If a woman has the right to do what she wants with her own body, is there any justification in requiring her to "think correctly" when making that choice?

It seems to me to be a greater invasion of personal autonomy for the state to police the thoughts of the people than their actions. But, I seem to be in somewhat of the minority on this, at least around here.

[PsychoSerenity]

It seems to me to be a greater invasion of personal autonomy for the state to police the thoughts of the people than their actions. But, I seem to be in somewhat of the minority on this, at least around here.

I wouldn't say you're in the minority here. It's a perfectly valid point that I'm sure most agree with. The problem is on the other side you're starting down a road with potentially huge ethical problems, that I for one haven't got a clue how to solve. I don't think it's always bad to be a little conservative when technology is pushing boundaries that culture hasn't caught up with. For the most part the laws won't do anything anyway, because people will find a way around them if they want to, - but it will force people to think about the possible consequences and side effects of the new possibilities.

[MrJonno]

I think I agree with Coito ergo sum that forcing a women to lie to get an abortion can't be justified and as male/female imbalances arent an issue at the moment its a silly law.

However if we ever did get to the situation where there were serious sex imbalances it becomes everyone problem not just the pregnant woman (it's why I don't agree with absolute rights, abortion should be legal as it doesnt affect me if the situation changes and it does well lets hope that never happens)