Do adults have an absolute right to do what they want with their own bodies?

[Slartibartfast]

If you want a real quandary then what about parasitic conjoined twins? Does one have a right to kill the other and claim the body? If so, which one and why? If not, what does that look like under the law?

I will leave that to the medical ethics boards. Not my circus.

 

[X Factor]

The pregnancy, which involves the fetus or embryo being in the body, harms the life of at least the person carrying it. That person has rights. The fetus, even as a life, is not a person, not recognized as a person. No person though is allowed to be inside another, live off their resources without consent.

The way some of you view human reproduction is sad to me, like the unborn baby is in the wrong and doing a terrible thing just by existing as if the baby was ever given a choice.

 

[roguenuke]

The way some of you view human reproduction is sad to me, like the unborn baby is in the wrong and doing a terrible thing just by existing as if the baby ever had some choice.

There is no "wrong" here. There is just the impact of the pregnancy on the life of the woman and possibly others who already depend on her. It doesn't matter that the fetus or embryo "didn't have a choice".

 

[samiam5211]

Most of the things on this list require another person to be involved.

 

[X Factor]

There is no "wrong" here. There is just the impact of the pregnancy on the life of the woman and possibly others who already depend on her. It doesn't matter that the fetus or embryo "didn't have a choice".

By saying it’s acting without consent you’re making a moral judgment against it. It’s sad you see unborn babies as being such bad things. They’re entirely blameless, though.

 

[holbritter]

Do adults have an absolute right to do what they want with their own bodies?

Yes. But in your poll you put 'legally' which made the difference in one of those options to me. Voted yes to all except the meth/fentynal

I was thinking about this in the context of abortion, and although it's a good talking point and I support abortion rights, I don't think it's generally true for all topics that adults should be able to do whatever they want with their own bodies.

It seems to me that there are lots of things that we do not (or at least should not) allow adults to do with their own bodies, even if it harms no one but themselves. For one example, it breaks my heart whenever I go to SF and see mentally unwell people sleeping on the streets and visiting open-air drug markets right in front of city hall...out of some misguided sense that it's no one else's business how they choose to live. IMO, compassionate societies do not tolerate this.

I'm curious as to what (if any) body-related behaviors you think should be allowed vs banned for adults. How absolute is the right to do what you want with your own body?

 

[Napoleon]

If one is parasitic, then actually yes the other does have a right to have them removed.

Parasitic Twin: Causes, Diagnosis & Removal

A parasitic twin is a type of conjoined twin where one fetus stops developing but remains attached to its twin. The other twin continues to develop.

my.clevelandclinic.org

Not all conjoined twins are parasitic. There is some debate regarding removing a conjoined twin that is doing poorly, in poor health and putting the other in danger, and that can involve a lot of ethical questions about at what point they could/should be separated, but it would still come down to doctors getting to make that decision with the twins and/or parents (if minors), not laws, not politicians.

So you don’t have a position on that.

 

[AmNat]

Do adults have an absolute right to do what they want with their own bodies?

I was thinking about this in the context of abortion, and although it's a good talking point and I support abortion rights, I don't think it's generally true for all topics that adults should be able to do whatever they want with their own bodies.

It seems to me that there are lots of things that we do not (or at least should not) allow adults to do with their own bodies, even if it harms no one but themselves. For one example, it breaks my heart whenever I go to SF and see mentally unwell people sleeping on the streets and visiting open-air drug markets right in front of city hall...out of some misguided sense that it's no one else's business how they choose to live. IMO, compassionate societies do not tolerate this.

I'm curious as to what (if any) body-related behaviors you think should be allowed vs banned for adults. How absolute is the right to do what you want with your own body?

"Things people do with their own bodies" is redundant - anything a person does is necessarily done with their body.

A competent and innocent person (that is, one who is responsible for their own actions and hasn't committed any serious crimes) should be allowed to refuse any violation of their bodily integrity (an incompetent person's rights should be exercised by their guardian). When it comes to positive action, people should generally be allowed to live as they see fit, subject to the government proscribing things that are certainly and obviously bad or which are likely to adversely affect others (drug addiction and self-mutilation are both obviously harmful, and being forced to step over junkies or lie about biology is an "adverse effect", so prohibiting these things is an easy call IMO).

 

[AmNat]

The way some of you view human reproduction is sad to me, like the unborn baby is in the wrong and doing a terrible thing just by existing as if the baby was ever given a choice.

One feels sorry for their children. Imagine being raised by a person who sees you as a parasite.

 

[roguenuke]

By saying it’s acting without consent you’re making a moral judgment against it. It’s sad you see unborn babies as being such bad things. They’re entirely blameless, though.

Again, I'm saying that there is a person involved, the woman who is pregnant, and whether you like it or not, her life, her health, her wellbeing will always matter more to me. Most women choose to carry to term. Those that don't, should have that right to choose not to, as it is their body.

There is no blame on anyone. Having sex, getting pregnant, is not a crime, so there is no blame. There is just a medical condition.

 

[roguenuke]

So you don’t have a position on that.

I gave it. When it comes to a parasitic twin, it is pretty much going to be that doctors will remove, as you seem to not understand what parasitic twin means.

When it comes to conjoined twins, after birth, where one is clearly endangering the other, essentially becomes parasitic, then it should be between the twins and/or their parents (if minors) and doctors. No laws should be involved.

 

[roguenuke]

One feels sorry for their children. Imagine being raised by a person who sees you as a parasite.

Imagine the children raised by people who can't understand that some things are much more complicated than that.

Most people who are prochoice chose to have children, choose to be good parents. You are the ones who want to force people who feel they shouldn't be parents to have children they don't want or can't care for or will have major medical problems or put that person's body, wellbeing, health, life at risk.

 

[X Factor]

One feels sorry for their children. Imagine being raised by a person who sees you as a parasite.

Naw, that’s not really fair. I’m pro life as it gets but I really don’t think anyone’s views on abortion dictate the kind of parent they are.

 

[Lursa]

I voted no on the first - the unborn life isn't their body - no, they don't get to choose to have it killed because its an inconvenience

That's a falsehood in every single state to some extent. Including that a woman's need for an abortion is based on 'inconvenience.'

 

[Lursa]

Naw, that’s not really fair. I’m pro life as it gets but I really don’t think anyone’s views on abortion dictate the kind of parent they are.

Solid indication tho.

There's even some confirmation in the data showing that crime rates went down after RvW was decided. But it is well known that socio-economically challenged families are at higher risk of juvenile delinquency, abuse, and criminal development. And ~75% of all abortions are for financial reasons. So it's not a stretch to conclude impacts on parenting, even if not intentional.

 

[Lursa]

The way some of you view human reproduction is sad to me, like the unborn baby is in the wrong and doing a terrible thing just by existing as if the baby was ever given a choice.

How is the woman in the wrong when her bc fails? And she makes a decision to reduce the risks in her life, health, and ability to care for her current dependents and responsibilities? She suffers, those she cares for and has obligations to suffer or are impacted. The unborn suffers nothing.

 

[ALiberalModerate]

Get an Abortion yes.
Buy sex, no (too much room for sexual exploitation)
Sell sex, yes
Marijuana, yes
Hard drugs, no
Sex change, yes
Assisted Suicide without a terminal illness, no
Refuse to get MMR, yes, but it doesn't get you out of consequences like potentially being sued if your child spreads a vaccine preventable disease to a child that cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
Surrogate Mother, no
Refuse mental treatment when they are a danger to themselves or others, no

We always have to balance personal freedoms with the fact that we live in societies and have responsibilities to each other in a society.

 

[X Factor]

Solid indication tho.

There's even some confirmation in the data showing that crime rates went down after RvW was decided. But it is well known that socio-economically challenged families are at higher risk of juvenile delinquency, abuse, and criminal development. And ~75% of all abortions are for financial reasons. So it's not a stretch to conclude impacts on parenting, even if not intentional.

Yeah, I’m sure all pro life parents are bad.

 

[mrjurrs]

I left only two choices unchecked, because both of them relate to potential dangers to the community.

Refusing vaccines or mental health help can negatively impact innocents.

 

[bomberfox]

Since the MMR vaccine has no links to autism and the fact that communicable diseases put the lives of all of us at risk, im going to have to say vaccines being mandatory is generally a good thing.

People should have bodily autonomy when it comes to sterilization and i will always defend a person’s right to not be sterilized against their will.

 

[Gatsby]

Get an Abortion yes.
Buy sex, no (too much room for sexual exploitation)
Sell sex, yes
Marijuana, yes
Hard drugs, no
Sex change, yes
Assisted Suicide without a terminal illness, no
Refuse to get MMR, yes, but it doesn't get you out of consequences like potentially being sued if your child spreads a vaccine preventable disease to a child that cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
Surrogate Mother, no
Refuse mental treatment when they are a danger to themselves or others, no

We always have to balance personal freedoms with the fact that we live in societies and have responsibilities to each other in a society.

I think we agree on all of those!

 

[Demon]

Get an Abortion yes.
Buy sex, no (too much room for sexual exploitation)
Sell sex, yes
Marijuana, yes
Hard drugs, no
Sex change, yes
Assisted Suicide without a terminal illness, no
Refuse to get MMR, yes, but it doesn't get you out of consequences like potentially being sued if your child spreads a vaccine preventable disease to a child that cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons.
Surrogate Mother, no
Refuse mental treatment when they are a danger to themselves or others, no

We always have to balance personal freedoms with the fact that we live in societies and have responsibilities to each other in a society.

I understand your concerns about exploitation, but otherwise, how would that work - sell sex yes, buy sex no?

 

[Lursa]

Yeah, I’m sure all pro life parents are bad.

Didnt say that either but it continues to reflect your black and white perspectives and it doesnt refute what I wrote.

Discussions...not declarations.

 

[X Factor]

Didnt say that either but it continues to reflect your black and white perspectives and it doesnt refute what I wrote.

Discussions...not declarations.

Lol, you’re going to accuse me of having a black and white perspective when I wouldn’t do what you have done and disparage the parenting of people that disagree with me on this topic?

 

[Lursa]

Lol, you’re going to accuse me of having a black and white perspective when I wouldn’t do what you have done and disparage the parenting of people that disagree with me on this topic?

Didnt disparage them all...quoted stats and empathized if they were forced to give birth if denied choice.