A friend of mine who's pro-choice but who would never have an abortion personally (she's an ethical vegetarian from a Hindu background and believes deeply in the sanctity of life, even while simultaneously believing it's not her place to impose those beliefs on others) pointed out to me that there's something inherently hypocritical in allowing abortion only in cases of rape or incest. After all, it seems that two major reasons to be opposed to abortion are:

  • it's not the fetus's fault it was conceived, and
  • the fetus has a right to life?

In cases of rape or incest, both still hold, so why should the circumstances of the child's conception affect its rights (whatever you believe those to be)?

Just a question I found thought-provoking, and I sincerely apologize if there's already a node about this.