The Moderate position on the personhood issue has used arguments such as
A. Quickening or ensoulment
B. Brain development
C. Viability
D. All of the above
E. None of the above
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: D. All of the above
The moderate position on the personhood issue in the context of abortion and bioethics does not assign full moral status to the fetus from the moment of conception nor completely deny it. Instead, it takes a middle-ground approach that considers personhood to emerge gradually over time, supported by specific developmental milestones. This view relies on biological and philosophical markers such as quickening, brain development, and viability.
Quickening refers to the first noticeable fetal movements felt by the mother, typically occurring around 16 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Historically, quickening was seen as a sign of life or the soul entering the body. It has been used to mark the beginning of fetal awareness and separate a living being from a mere collection of cells.
Brain development is another key factor in the moderate view. This includes the development of the cerebral cortex and the beginning of electrical activity in the brain. Brain activity associated with consciousness and sensation usually starts between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation. Advocates of the moderate position argue that the potential for conscious experience gives the fetus some moral significance.
Viability is the stage at which a fetus can survive outside the womb with or without medical assistance, generally around 24 to 28 weeks. It represents a turning point in fetal development because the fetus can potentially exist independently. This point is often used legally and ethically to justify limitations on abortion after a certain gestational age.
Each of these factors contributes to the moderate view that personhood is not absolute from conception but gradually develops. This position attempts to balance the rights of the pregnant individual with the increasing moral consideration owed to the fetus as it develops. Hence, the correct answer is “D. All of the above” because each element is a recognized part of moderate arguments on personhood.