A Challenge from Kitchener-Centre MP Stephen Woodworth
Posted Jan 11, 2012 11:50:12 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Kitchener-Centre MP, Stephen Woodworth is challenging those who disagree with his description of what he says is Canada’s 400 year old definition of a human being, to prove him wrong.
In a release, Woodworth points out that Canada’s definition of a human being says that a child is not a human being in until the moment of complete birth. He goes on to say that 21st Century modern medical science informs us that children are certainly human beings before the moment of complete birth. Woodworth joined Talk Local on Rogers TV last night and says Parliament has a duty to update the old law.
“When you look at a law that says that a child is not a human being before the moment of complete birth, you need to ask yourself, is that an honest and an accurate law? Parliament does have an responsibility and even a duty to ensure that a law defining a human being with such important implication is informed by 21st century medical knowledge, rather than a 400 year old archaic legal principle. “
Woodworth says he is pursuing hints that the definition of a human being in Canada, may have originated in the twelfth century, which would make it almost 900 years old, however, there are those who aren’t buying Woodworth’s proposal and say it’s just another angle to open up the abortion debate. Woodworth says that’s not the case.
“I know that people are interested in the abortion question but to me, the notion that a law would define any person as not a human being on the basis of none principled or none justified facts, rather than medical evidence, is just wrong.”
Woodworth adds he believes a respectful dialogue about the principles and evidence which inform a law that decides who is a human being will help to reconcile views. He has until the end of the month to pursue his proposal.
