Contested Rights: The Right to Life

Discussion about abortion is often focused on when life begins, with those who are “pro-life” suggesting that life begins at conception, so that the fetus has the rights of a human being. Laws have been passed in the U.S. and Nicaragua, for example, giving rights to the unborn fetus. There are moral and religious implications that contribute to this issue. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 1 states, “All human beings are born free and equal in Dignity and Rights,” saying nothing about the unborn fetus. The “pro-choice” side of the issue focuses on the broader perspective of reproductive health. There are many types of abortion and varying degrees of belief about whether or not abortion is a right, sometimes depending on the circumstances of the pregnancy.

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