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Does Abortion Harm the Fetus?

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  • Ekendahl, Karl
  • Johansson, Jens

Abstract

A central claim in abortion ethics is what might be called the Harm Claim – the claim that abortion harms the fetus. In this article, we put forward a simple and straightforward reason to reject the Harm Claim. Rather than invoking controversial assumptions about personal identity, or some nonstandard account of harm, as many other critics of the Harm Claim have done, we suggest that the aborted fetus cannot be harmed for the simple reason that it does not occupy any well-being level.

Suggested Citation

  • Ekendahl, Karl & Johansson, Jens, 2022. "Does Abortion Harm the Fetus?," Utilitas, Cambridge University Press, vol. 34(2), pages 154-166, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:utilit:v:34:y:2022:i:2:p:154-166_4
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