Q&A: Double Standards—Veganism and Abortions
Double Standards—Veganism and Abortions
Question
Does the Rabbi/Dr. see vegans who oppose consuming any animal products whatsoever (for moral reasons having to do with suffering and the like), while at the same time holding—at least many of them—the position that abortion (at any stage of pregnancy at which it is possible to abort) is morally legitimate, as people who hold an inconsistent moral position? After all, if murdering/killing/putting to death a cow is forbidden because we like steak (personal reasons of convenience), is it reasonable to abort/murder a baby (whether unplanned, or planned but unwanted for whatever reason) because it doesn’t fit our lifestyle right now? P.S. My position regarding the morality of abortion is not yet sufficiently formed.
Answer
If we’re talking about opposition to animal products because of suffering, then it has no connection to abortion. The prohibition on abortion is not because of suffering caused to the fetus. It seems to me that it can be done without suffering, and it’s doubtful whether a fetus really suffers in such an act. There are those who object in principle to the use of animal products, but that’s a different story.