The licitness (according to Roman Catholic premises) of inducing the non-viable anencephalic fetus: reflections on Professor Drane's policy proposals.

James Drane's policy proposals for Roman Catholic hospitals, which would allow induction of a firmly diagnosed anencephalic fetus upon the mother's considered request, are defended. Drane's defense of his proposals, by focussing upon the empirical facts of anencephaly and attempting to abstract from the question of whether or not the anencephalic is a potential person, is held to be untenable. However, examination of the Roman Catholic proscription against abortion shows that it applies to humans who are, or might be, persons or potential persons. And the facts of anencephaly show that the anencephalic does not have the biological substrate to be a potential person. Hence the proscription does not apply to induction of the anencephalic fetus.