Pro-life

Pro-life is a self-descriptive term used in English-speaking countries, and especially the United States of America for those who hold life, or the sanctity of life, or the right to life to be universal values, and seek their enforcement by legislation or constitutional provisions. It originally referred primarily to anti-abortion campaigns, but now covers other bioethics issues such as euthanasia and human cloning. When used as a general term, pro-life refers to a general philosophy about the value of life, but it almost always includes some form of opposition to abortion. Pro-lifers do not necessarily hold the Consistent Life Ethic philosophy, so they have a wide range of beliefs on issues relating to life. For example, a pro-life individuals may oppose abortion and support euthanasia. Some pro-life advocates also oppose the death penalty.

Related Topics:
United States of America - Life - Right to life - Universal values - Legislation - Constitutional provisions - Anti-abortion - Bioethics - Euthanasia - Human cloning - Consistent Life Ethic - Death penalty

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Two orientations can be distinguished within the pro-life movement. One is founded on the inherent value of life, and is usually religious in origin, appealing to revealed truth or the shared religious values of a society. The other is more formal and appeals to legal philosophy, specifically to the right-to-life as one of the fundamental human rights which should be guaranteed by law. Rights-oriented anti-abortion campaigners usually promote specific legal protection and rights for a human unborn child (pro-life individuals use the term "unborn child" referring to the zygote, embryo, and fetus up until birth; pro-choice individuals usually use the term "fetus" as a blanket word covering all stages of development until birth), equal to that of the pregnant female, and they are directly contrasted with those who are pro-choice. Pro-choice campaigners also appeal to legal philosophy, emphasising the autonomy of the individual.

Related Topics:
Revealed truth - Right-to-life - Human rights - Unborn child - Zygote - Embryo - Fetus - Pro-choice

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