Selective Abortion

Abstract

Abstract This chapter considers the special problems associated with selective abortion, focussing on two types: sex selective abortion (SSA) and ‘fetal abnormality abortion’ (FAA). Not only are selective abortions on the basis of sex and disability the most politically relevant kinds (since other characteristics either are not typically tested for or cannot be detected during pregnancy); moral attitudes toward them have also been harnessed in interesting ways in the wider battle over abortion rights. It is argued that both opponents and supporters of abortion rights may not be able to, with consistency, direct specific moral opprobrium at SSA without making the same statements about FAA. All the same, though, it is argued that philosophical opponents of abortion are simply in error to claim there is anything inconsistent about supporting abortion rights generally whilst arguing that there are good reasons to support exceptional restrictions on selective abortion.