ABSTRACT
This chapter refers to the entity under discussion for all stages from fertilisation to birth, unless greater clarity as to which stage of development. There are at least three positions that must be considered when examining the moral status of the embryo and foetus. First, that all human beings possess foil rights from the moment of conception. Second, that persons, possess rights and since neither the embryo nor the foetus is a person, neither possesses any rights, including the right to life. And third, that while the embryo and foetus are not persons, they deserve a level of respect, which is generally considered to increase as the foetus approaches viability. The liberal position agrees with the conservative position in one respect: both suggest that there is no morally significant point in pregnancy that marks a change in the moral status of the developing human. Like the conservative position, the liberal position is open to criticism.
