Abortion is one of the most controversial issues in both the social and political arena today. The two main arguments for and against the issue is based upon whether the unborn fetus can be seen as human or not, and whether this humanity can be compared to the humanity of the mother. It should also be recognized however that the abortion issue has many more subtle issues that are attached. A person who has been raped and falls pregnant as a result, for example, could not be seen in the same light as a person who had consensual sex without some form of protection. Also, a mother whose life is endangered by the pregnancy, or a baby whose quality of life will be severely impeded by deformity are also considered as cases in which abortion is more permissible than in the case of a problem free pregnancy. In considering the moral status of the fetus, one should therefore also consider additional problematic factors, such as rape, particularly. While I therefore do believe that the moral status of the unborn child is a primarily important factor in the abortion issue, I also believe that this should only be applied in cases where the pregnancy is normal and free from outside issues such as violence or rape.
             An important issue to consider is also how the phrase "moral status" is defined. Moral status refers to the humanity of the unborn child. This is the central issue in the abortion debate – can the unborn fetus be considered "human" or "alive" before it is fully formed, before it begins moving, or even at conception? Marquis delineates the existing poles of arguments as
             anti-abortion groups believing that all fetuses at all stages of development are human and should therefore not be aborted, as this would constitute murder. On the other hand, pro-choice proponents hold that fetuses, particularly at conception, are neither rational, social, nor indeed self-aware. They are only a group of ...