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The Conversation
The Conversation
Amanda Roth, Associate Professor of Philosophy and Women's & Gender Studies, State University of New York, College at Geneseo

When does the fetus acquire a moral status of a human being? The philosophy of 'gradualism' can provide answers

A patient seeking abortion services at the Women's Reproductive Clinic in Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Robyn Beck /AFP via Getty Images

I lost my twins in the second trimester of my first pregnancy. One fetus died around 14 weeks, and a month later I went into preterm labor – likely caused by the death of the first and an infection. I delivered the second twin, who appeared perfectly healthy on the ultrasound but was simply not old enough to survive, at 18½ weeks.

I grieved for years; these were some of my worst moments.

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