“While it is scientifically established that a zygote, embryo, and fetus are living organisms and are human, the use of the term “baby” for these stages can be more contentious and is often influenced by ethical, emotional, and legal considerations. The destruction of these stages in the context of abortion is understood as the termination of a human living organism. However, the broader ethical and legal implications of this fact remain subjects of significant debate and vary depending on cultural, religious, and individual beliefs” (emphasis added).
Despite this, it carefully avoided taking a stance on the moral implications, emphasizing the complexity of balancing rights and ethical considerations. It cited societal frameworks that often prioritize the autonomy and privacy of the mother over the rights of the unborn.
I found this response unsatisfying. Once it is established that the entity within the womb is a living, human, and uniquely individual organism, the right to life must take precedence. From my perspective, no personal hardship or inconvenience—whether financial, emotional, or otherwise—justifies overriding the right to life.
To illustrate, we would never accept the termination of an elderly or disabled person’s life simply because their care infringed upon someone else’s privacy. The same principle must apply to the unborn
In conclusion, my dialogue with ChatGPT reaffirmed what science has long established: abortion involves the termination of a living, human, and uniquely individual organism.
While ChatGPT’s neutral stance highlights the ongoing debate, its admissions provide a clear scientific foundation. As a philosopher and teacher, I believe this evidence compels us to reconsider the ethical and moral implications of abortion. The humanity of the unborn cannot be denied, and our societal priorities must reflect this truth.
George Matwijec is an adjunct philosophy teacher at Immaculata University who specializes in teaching knowledge and logic. He authored a book entitled “My Interview with AI”. He can be reached at iteacher101.com His article has been printed with permission
Image credit: image of an “abortion clinic” (it looks rather seedy) generated by Pixlr image generator.