[Pollster1]

Even if you believe that life begins at conception, it is important to define conception. Long before the abortion debate started to shape definitions, "conception" had two meanings depending on context:

(1) Fusion of gametes (the sperm and the egg) to form a single cell, or

(2) Fusion of gametes to form a single cell, followed by several cell divisions and then successful implantation.

I believe that the second definition provides a clear moral line, although I completely understand those who choose the first definition out of an abundance of caution or a deferral to innocence. Given the frequency with which a fertilized egg fails to implant for natural reasons, I find it hard to consider that fertilized but not yet implanted zygote a self-sustaining individual who would, in the absence of outside intervention, become a fully-independent person.

The major moral issue with morning after pills is that they can first prevent ovulation (egg release) in violation of Catholic teaching, second prevent implantation of the fertilized egg, killing a human being under definition (1) but not under definition (2), and finally slough off the uterine lining, carrying away a fertilized and implanted egg and thus killing a human being under both definitions (1) and (2). The moral decision on a morning after pill seems clear to me, although in practical terms I do not believe that a law banning abortion in the first few days of pregnancy is any more enforceable than a law banning adultery. However, the moral decision on Obama's HHS decree that pro-life Christian employers must pay for killing an implanted fetus for their employees is clear. The HHS mandate is an act of pure evil, government imposing itself between us as individuals and our duty to God as we see that duty.

[Claud]

I find it hard to consider that fertilized but not yet implanted zygote a self-sustaining individual who would, in the absence of outside intervention, become a fully-independent person.

For the problem with that argument, see post #43...the zygote is self-sustaining and growing prior to implantation.

Also, I think this self-sustaining bit is not a good criteria generally. A newborn won't do so well if it doesn't get outside intervention in the form of warmth and food. Toddlers can't fend for themselves. Every organism is dependent on a small range of environmental and biological conditions to live. Every one. Take it out of those conditions and it is dead. There's no such thing as a fully independent existence.