Letter to the editor - UNB Students for Life

Aaron Moss - An Open Letter To The Brunswickan

January 25, 2012 7:00 AM ADT

To whom it may concern:

I have followed the Brunswickan’s coverage of the Students for Life Club and the subsequent letter by Jason Retallick with some dismay but little surprise. The question of when personhood begins and basic human rights (i.e. to continuation of one’s life) is a philosophical question with important ramifications, and this group (with which I am not associated, but am sympathetic to) presents a position, which is underrepresented on campus. Mr. Retallick has presented arguments for the negative impacts of that position - in response to those I will say that I also oppose misinformation and pressure tactics, but do not believe the methods of some supporters of the pro-life position to have bearing on the philosophical validity of that position.

I argue that at the very least this position deserves public discussion. The choice of birth over conception for granting of human rights is essentially arbitrary, but has serious ethical implications. If embryos are people with rights, then they are the most marginalized people group on the planet, lacking even voices to speak. If embryos are people, then abortion is state-sponsored execution. If embryos are people, then Students for Life is standing up for the rights of those our government doesn’t.

Now, the pro-life position is often claimed to conflict with women’s rights - I think this need not be. Modern birth control methods are reliable and effective, and as such, can make pregnancy a choice in all but a small minority of cases - I think all women should have affordable, government-subsidized access to such birth control. I also fully support both women’s and men’s rights to choose with whom they have sex, as well as under which circumstances and using what methods of birth control. However, if children are conceived due to the choices of their parents, I believe that both those parents have a responsibility to uphold the rights of the person they have formed.

Sincerely,

Aaron Moss

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