[Mendacious]

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Finally, assume that one of these to-be-mothers had her fetus removed from her body at the very beginning of her pregnancy and placed it in the incubator, fully intending that the fetus develop into a newborn. About a month later, she has a change of heart and now wants to terminate the fetus (which is now living outside of her body). The question is: does she have the right to terminate the fetus?

If so, upon what rationale does the woman have that right? Does the father have that right based upon that same rationale? If not, why not?

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To me, this quesion merges with how we define life and who makes custodial decisions regarding for beings that lack conciousness and awareness.

As a matter of definition, I believe the line should be drawn for life at the point when the brain stem begins to function. (My understanding is that this is the end of the firts trimester). As to who should make decisions regarding beings that lack the ability for any self-awareness, I believe this responsibility should rest with immediate family rather than the State. In the case of an unborn Fetus, that decision goes to the mother (and only the mother) for obvious reasons.

If the magic incubator existed, would I vest some legal rights in the Father to an abandoned but viable Fetus? I am not persuaded that I would-- but I am slightly open to that possibility.

I have been married for 13 years, I have two children, 12 & 10 years old. After our second child, my wife became pregnant a third time-- at this point she was over 40 years old. We lived in a cramped house in a nice neighborhood, both worked and felt that the addition of another child would put a strain on our marriage, and our ability to nurture and provide what we wanted to provide for our first two children. We mutually decided that an abortion was in the best interest of the entire family. I have little doubt that this was the correct decision.

That said, we extinguished our potential 3rd child, and when I consider how much I love my children, and how irreplaceable they are, I am filled with regret and remorse.
I am sure my wife feels the same way. But, fortunately we are together, we have two wonderful kids that we provide for and are developing beautifully. The loss of a potential third child is OUR burden to bear emotionally and to regret when we think about it.

Although "life is precious and sacred" to a degree-- it is also overly abundant. The preciousness and sacredness of life has more to do with the bonds that people feel for one another than for its numerousity.