New twist on arguments Abortion philosophies debated By Diane Bray ton Staff Reporter A pro-choice position based on religion and an anti-abortion posi tion using scientific arguments were heard by a standing-room only crowd at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Law Thursday afternoon. About 200 students and faculty members listened to different per spectives about the abortion issue from Richard Duncan, a UNL, law professor and president of the Nebraska chapter of the Ruther ford Society, and Kappie Weber, active member of the Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights. Duncan opened the discussion, stressing the scientific basis of his arguments. "I think we should punish severely physicians who kill for pay.” —Duncan “The pro-life position is based on indisputable scientific evi dence,’’ he said. “The unborn child is a unique human being, genetically distinct from its mother.” Duncan said the * ‘pro-abortion ist’ ’ position was not based on sci i -- entific facts, but on the religious and philosophical issue of fiper sonhood,” Weber emphasized religious evidence supporting her pro choice position, citing scriptures from the Bible and Hebrew schol ars. “I believe life began when God breathed life into the nostrils of Adam,” Weber said. *‘I believe life is everlasting. The sperm and ovum were alive before they met and they were alive after they met.” “I would not presume to tell you when life begins,” she said. Weber said it is the mother who makes the decision and assumes the responsibility. ‘‘It is between her and her Maker,” she said. After the two speakers pre sented their views, they invited questions from the audience. Duncan responded to a question about possible criminal penalties for abortion by saying it was neces sary to distinguish between the act and the actor. Women are the second victims of abortion, he said. ‘‘I think wc should punish se verely physicians who kill for pay,” Duncan said. Weber said physicians should decide when fetuses are alive, not the courts. Both speakers were asked about the male’s role in the abortion is sue. Weber said that women have “a 100 percent, exclusive right to choose” whether to have an abor tion but that the issue is not a simple one.