Thought-provoking discussion with ChatGPT on human life and fetal status
As we witness the dawn of a technological revolution that continually astounds us with its progress, I had the opportunity to engage in a discourse with ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence language model created by OpenAI. This program, crafted to generate responses that mimic human-like language, remains impartial and neutral, devoid of personal belief and opinion. In light of this, I sought to comprehend the insights it could provide on the ongoing debate surrounding the nature of a fetus.
I first asked the AI to define what constitutes a human being. In response, it stated that humans are “bipedal mammals of the genus Homo, characterized by their high intelligence, their ability to make and use tools, and their capacity for abstract reasoning, language, and culture.” This scientific explanation offers us a foundation to comprehend what the AI recognizes as human.
Subsequently, I asked the AI to define a fetus. According to the AI, a fetus is “the stage of human development that occurs within the womb,” starting “around the 8th week of pregnancy” and continuing “until birth.” During this time, the fetus “continues to grow and mature, with various organs and systems forming and developing.”
I then posed the question of whether a fetus should be considered a human. The AI did not give a simple answer, but informed me that there are those who argue that a fetus is “a unique and distinct individual from the moment of conception, with its own DNA and genetic makeup and the potential to become a complete human being.” These people hold that “personhood begins at conception,” based on their religious or philosophical convictions. However, there are also those who argue that a fetus "is not fully developed and therefore cannot be considered a human." They assert that a fetus is "entirely dependent on the mother for survival and cannot be considered its own separate human being until it can survive outside the womb."
The AI further clarified that the "arguments against considering a fetus a human being could also be applied to an infant." This highlights the complexities of this issue and the challenge of determining when an individual should be considered a human who must be guaranteed full rights and protections in law. The AI emphasized that the "question of whether a fetus is a human being is distinct from the question of whether it should be considered an individual with full rights and protections."
While this is often an argument we have seen come up in debates across the nations concerning abortion, I would argue that these two questions cannot be separated. The status of being a human brings with it moral, ethical, and legal implications, including the right to life and protection from harm. From the treatment of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, to the denial of citizenship to Bidoon in Kuwait, to the alleged human rights abuses against Uighur Muslims in China, ongoing examples from around the world demonstrate the far-reaching and profound consequences of denying full rights and legal protection to human beings, including the loss of fundamental rights and freedoms, discrimination, inequality, and the erosion of the principles of a just and equitable society.
The ethical and moral questions surrounding the status of a fetus, and its entitlement to full rights and legal protection, raise fundamental issues concerning the inherent value and dignity of human life, reminding us of the critical need to ensure that all individuals are granted the full range of rights and protections guaranteed by law. Every human life, no matter how small or vulnerable, holds immense value and deserves protection. It is our duty to strive towards a world where all human beings, especially the preborn, are recognized as individuals deserving of dignity, love, and respect. Let us work together to create a society that upholds the value and worth of every human life.
Anthony Kim is a junior in the Mendoza College of Business. While he's currently studying Management Consulting, his true passion lies in entrepreneurship and improving the healthcare system in America. Hailing from Houston, Texas, Anthony is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the field of medicine. With his innovative spirit and his unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others, he's well on his way to achieving his ambitious goals. He can be contacted via akim8@nd.edu.