0100,0100,0100I have begun reading the book "Life's Dominion" by legal scholar
Ronald Dworkin. The author distinguishes two issues which are
often confused in the discussions and debates about abortion (and
about euthanasia, or prolonging life, as well).
1. That the being in question has interests and rights, especially
an interest in remaining alive.
2. That the being in question has innate value deserving of respect
and protection.
The distinction can be illustrated in this example: A person in a
persistent vegetative state may have no interest in remaining alive
but his/her life may be sustained because of reason 2.
These issues apply to embryonic stem cell research, and I will try
to summarize relevant points when I get farther into the book.
Phil Tompkins
