At God & Country, Dan Gilgoff posts Robert George’s responses to Doug Kmiec’s questions about embryonic stem cell research and the question, “When does life begin?”
Q. Assume we need a relatively clear answer to the question “When does life begin?” in order to avoid ethical arbitrariness and to show proper respect for the dignity of the human person. The Supreme Court, of course, has selected viability, but this is objectionable to many since it does not seem to be anything but an arbitrary point designed as a jurisprudential compromise. Since either fertilization or implantation is a bright line, is there a basis to decide between the two that is not dependent upon faith?
A: No informed person believes that the life of a human being begins at the point of “viability.” That point shifts backward with developments in technology and is, as Professor Kmiec suggests, arbitrary. More to the point, plainly the developing human is alive before viability. A “non-viable” fetus is defined as a fetus that will die if removed from the womb. Any entity that is capable of dying is a living being. Its life has already begun.
Visit God & Country for George’s full response.