I was teaching an Ethics class today and a group of conservative students were strongly arguing the following position on abortion:

A woman with a known medical condition which will cause her death if she gets pregnant, is raped and becomes pregnant. It is morally impermissible for her to get an abortion, even if it means she will die, because abortion is always wrong.

Has anyone else heard anyone argue this position on abortion? It seems absurd because of the idea that self-defense would permit abortion in these circumstances even for the most right wing thinkers I have ever come across before today.

Did I just run into a strange anomaly or has there been a much further move to the right on the question of abortion of which I am unaware? What's next, imprison the woman until she gives birth then execute her for having illicit sex?

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13