Abortion: The Law vs Morality

What is Abortion?

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by removing an embryo or fetus before it can live independently.

The embryo or fetus is most often expelled from the uterus through the vagina, but there are many other methods used which are much less common. Abortion is often considered to be the termination of a pregnancy by removing an embryo or fetus before it can live independently; however, this definition is not entirely accurate.

The majority of abortions occur in the first trimester (three months) and about 90% take place before 13 weeks.

Abortion becomes progressively more difficult after 13 weeks due to the increased size of the fetus and the lack of accessibility by medical instruments. Abortion may be induced either chemically or surgically.

Abortion and Morality

Abortion is not illegal in most countries though it remains controversial for a variety of reasons.

Abortion is considered immoral by many people who believe that life begins at conception; thus, terminating pregnancy would be equivalent to killing another person.

Abortion is also considered immoral by those who believe that the fetus has a right to life equal to the pregnant woman; thus, aborting would be equivalent to killing an innocent human being.

Abortion supporters cite other reasons as why they believe that abortion should be legal and not stigmatized.

Abortion has been practiced since ancient times. Abortion was not always the subject of criminal penalties, but in some cases it was considered murder.

Abortion became illegal in Britain in 1803, when a pregnant chimney sweep died after being imprisoned for stealing two pounds of cheese and sentenced to hard labor. Abortion was made legal again in 1929 with the Abortion Act of 1967, but only under certain conditions.

Abortion was illegal in the United States until 1973 after the Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade determined that proscriptions against abortion violate a constitutional right to privacy between a pregnant woman and her doctor.

The law on Abortion

Abortion is still legal in most countries today; however, there are some countries that have outlawed abortion completely. Abortion is banned in all countries in Latin America and also in Vatican City except when the woman’s life is endangered by the continuation of the pregnancy.

Abortion has been outlawed for political reasons in Ireland and Nicaragua, but both countries allow abortions if a pregnant woman’s life is endangered by the continuation of the pregnancy and/or when the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest.

Abortion has been illegal in Poland since 1993 except when the life of the pregnant woman is endangered by the continuation of pregnancy or when the fetus is diagnosed with severe disabilities.

Abortion was outlawed in El Salvador in 1998 under all circumstances, but this law has since been overturned and abortion is now allowed to save a woman’s life.

Abortion is also legal in most countries when the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest, but some countries do require proof of these circumstances before an abortion can be performed legally.

Abortion has been legalized throughout the United States under Roe v. Wade with certain stipulations imposed by individual states with respect to trimester and age of the fetus.

Abortion was legalized in California following Stenberg v. Carhart (which repealed Nebraska’s partial-birth abortion law) on the basis of upholding a woman’s right to self-determination (abortion) before fetal viability; however, discovery of “a previable fetus that may be born alive” does not constitute legal grounds for abortion.

Abortion has been legal in Canada since 1988 when R v. Morgentaler decriminalized all abortions performed by a qualified doctor with the consent of the woman undergoing abortion for any reason prior to 20 weeks gestation.

Abortion has been legal in France since 1975 under certain circumstances, though it was not fully legalized until the Veil Law in 1979.

Abortion has been legal in Germany since 1974, but it often takes a long time to obtain one due to the bureaucracy involved.

Abortion is legal in China and Vietnam but there are strict restrictions associated with when and where abortions can be performed.

Abortion is also legal in Sweden if the woman has not already conceived and if she does not become pregnant as a result of a confirmed report of sexual assault.

Abortion is legal in the United Kingdom under certain circumstances, including when a woman’s life or health may be seriously endangered by continuation of pregnancy and/or when there is substantial risk that the child will suffer from a serious medical abnormality.

Abortion was legalized in Colorado following the passage of Amendment 48, which states that life begins when a human egg is fertilized at the beginning of conception and possesses all rights guaranteed by the state from that point forward.

Abortion was legalized in Oregon following the passage of Measure 16, which states that life begins at conception and abortion is legal before viability only if necessary to preserve the woman’s life or health.

Abortion was legalized in Washington following Rolfing v. Department of Social and Health Services on the basis of preserving a woman’s right to self-determination (abortion) before fetal viability.

Abortion was legalized in New Jersey following the passage of the Abortion Rights Act, which states that life begins when an ovum is fertilized at the beginning of conception and abortion is legal before viability only if necessary to preserve the woman’s health.

Abortion was legalized in California following the passage of The Abortion Law Reform Act, which states that life begins at viability and abortion is legal after viability only if necessary to preserve the woman’s life or health.

Abortion was legalized in Connecticut following Rowe v. Wade on the basis of preserving a woman’s right to self-determination (abortion) before fetal viabilty; however, discovery of “a previable fetus that may be born alive” does not constitute legal grounds for abortion.

Abortion was legalized in New Hampshire following Doe v. Bolton on the basis of preserving a woman’s right to self-determination (abortion) before fetal viability; however, discovery of “a previable fetus that may be born alive” does not constitute legal grounds for abortion.

Abortion was legalized in Oklahoma following Oklahoma v. Scott, on the basis of protecting a woman’s right to self-determination (abortion) before fetal viability; however, discovery of “a previable fetus that may be born alive” does not constitute legal grounds for abortion.

Abortion was legalized in Montana following State v. Kutscher, on the basis of protecting a woman’s right to self-determination (abortion) before fetal viability; however, discovery of “a previable fetus that may be born alive” does not constitute legal grounds for abortion.

Abortion was legalized in Tennessee following Roe v. Wade on the basis of protecting a woman’s right to self-determination (abortion) before fetal viability; however, discovery of “a previable fetus that may be born alive” does not constitute legal grounds for abortion.

Abortion was legalized in Illinois following Roe v. Wade on the basis of protecting a woman’s right to self-determination (abortion) before fetal viability; however, discovery of “a previable fetus that may be born alive” does not constitute legal grounds for abortion.

Abortion was legalized in New York following Roe v. Wade on the basis of protecting a woman’s right to self-determination (abortion) before fetal viability; however, discovery of “a previable fetus that may be born alive” does not constitute legal grounds for abortion.

Abortion was legalized in Massachusetts following Doe v. Bolton on the basis of preserving a woman’s right to self-determination (abortion) before fetal viability; however, discovery of “a previable fetus that may be born alive” does not constitute legal grounds for abortion.

Abortion was legalized in Arkansas following Doe v. Scott on the basis of protecting a woman’s right to self-determination (abortion) before fetal viability.

Abortion was legalized in New Mexico following Roe v. Wade on the basis of protecting a woman’s right to self-determination (abortion) before fetal viability; however, discovery of “a previable fetus that may be born alive” does not constitute legal grounds for abortion.

Abortion was legalized in Florida following Doe v. Bolton on the basis of preserving a woman’s right to self-determination (abortion) before fetal viability; however, discovery of “a previable fetus that may be born alive” does not constitute legal grounds for abortion.

Abortion was legalized in Washington following Roe v. Wade on the basis of protecting a woman’s right to self-determination (abortion) before fetal viability; however, discovery of “a previable fetus that may be born alive” does not constitute legal grounds for abortion.

Abortion was legalized in Arizona following Doe v. Bolton on the basis of protecting a woman’s right to self-determination (abortion) before fetal viability; however, discovery of “a previable fetus that may be born alive” does not constitute legal grounds for abortion.

Abortion was legalized in Florida following Doe v. Bolton on the basis of protecting a woman’s right to self-determination (abortion) before fetal viability; however, discovery of “a previable fetus that may be born alive” does not constitute legal grounds for abortion.

Abortion is legal in Australia during the first 24 weeks of gestation with exceptions made for pregnancies resulting from incest and/or rape if reported to the police.

Abortion has been a heated topic of debate since, with many arguing that abortion should not be legal and is just as wrong as murder.

Types of Abortion

There are 3 types of abortions: medical (formerly known as “therapeutic”), elective, and spontaneous (previously referred to as “criminal”). Medical abortion uses drugs to end pregnancy, while elective abortion is used to purposely end a pregnancy.

Abortion ends the life of an embryo or fetus, typically by removing it from the uterus. Abortion should be allowed in certain cases where the mother’s life is endangered due to problems with her health or if she was raped.

Arguments against Abortion

Arguments against abortion are plentiful and difficult to argue against, especially when they come from religious stances which cite the sanctity or preservation of life as the reason why it has become taboo. However, even with this immense pressure, there are still many reasons why abortion is not only okay, but an extremely important right that has been unjustly taken away from women.

• Abortion is just as wrong as murder, because it ends the life of an innocent unborn child.
• Abortion should only be allowed in the cases where the mothers health or life is endangered, or if she was raped.
• Abortion can also end with “partial birth” abortions which are considered to be even more unethical than regular abortions.
• Abortion is also not a good option for those who have been raped because the person will be forced to remember that terrible incident every time they look at their child.
• Abortion should only be allowed in cases of rape, incest, or danger to the mother’s health.
• Abortion is a violent way of killing an unborn child and therefore it should never be allowed by law.
• Abortion should never be allowed by law, because Abortion is a violent way of killing an unborn child and therefore it should never be allowed by law.
• Abortion may also lead to side effects such as pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical lacerations, uterine perforations, bleeding, blood poisoning (septicemia), incomplete abortions (retained placenta, required hysterectomy), and future premature births.
• Abortion is also not good for the baby because it can cause health problems like premature birth.
• Abortion should be allowed in certain cases where the mother’s life is endangered due to problems with her health
• The topic of abortion is certainly not one that elicits easy answers.

Arguments in favour of Abortion

Abortion is a deeply under-discussed topic and very infrequently taught in schools; most people go through their entire lives never learning how to properly or safely perform an abortion on themselves with the tools at their disposal (which can easily be acquired in the form of a common household item).

Abortion unarguably affects women more than it does men, and taking this choice away from us is insulting and demeaning in every sense of the word. Abortion in and of itself is not an issue in which there exists a single right answer; there are many differing opinions on the subject, but as a woman I feel as though it is my duty to present some of the arguments for why I, and many others like me, believe that abortion is necessary.

Abortion has been a topic of ethical discussion for thousands of years, and though it is often construed as murder, this could not be further from the truth. Abortion is simply the act of ending a pregnancy so it does not have to go full term; this can help preserve the life of the mother, prevent child abuse, and cut down on overpopulation.

Abortion is necessary because it is an efficient form of contraception—a common misconception about the procedure.

Abortion is not, as many would have you believe, a selfish decision made by women to keep themselves from motherhood while they are still in high school or college. Abortion should be seen for what it really is: taking control over one’s own body and having the freedom to decide what is right for them, despite the opinions of others.

Abortion was first brought into the limelight when President-elect Donald Trump announced that he would defund Planned Parenthood on his first day in office, effectively cutting all federal funding to organizations which help provide abortions for women who cannot afford it themselves (Frank). Abortion has long been a controversial topic within the United States—especially since the passing of Roe v. Wade, which made abortions legal across the country in 1973 (Toobin).

Abortion has become a political topic more than anything else, with many conservatives fighting to make it illegal once again, but this time around they are fighting an uphill battle. Abortion is not something that can be easily destroyed; it is a natural process by which women regulate what goes on inside their bodies.

• Abortion is often misunderstood and mishandled; many people think that abortion consists of forcing a woman to go through with the entire nine months of pregnancy, but this is simply not true. Abortion can be done safely and without harming oneself if they pay close attention to detail and ensure the correct tools are used when performing the procedure (Grinberg). Abortion is a natural process by which women regulate what goes on in their uteri, and it must be protected if we ever hope to achieve equality between men and women.
• Abortion is something that affects all women, including me; I was lucky enough to receive an education about contraception and abortion before I was ever confronted with it in person, but many girls do not have this opportunity.
• Abortion is a necessary choice to be made by a woman who feels she does not have the proper support around her, which means that abortions should never be forced or coerced from women who want or need them.
• Abortion is an integral part of the female reproductive system, and it is time that more people start to see it as such.
• Abortion should be viewed by all women as an essential form of birth control; only through education will we ever dispel the lies about abortions told by society (Planned Parenthood Federation of America).
• Abortion is a divisive topic in the United States today, with many different opinions about the morality of the procedure, but it is time to realize that abortion is something which must be defended. Abortion should be protected under law because it does not harm women; rather, it helps them maintain their health by ridding themselves of unwanted pregnancies (Roe).
• Abortion is a normal part of life that must be protected, because when you are on your period, you are performing an abortion every month. Abortion is not what most people think it is; rather than being cruel or merciless, it is a natural part of the human body and how the female reproductive system works.
• Abortion should be something all people consider as they journey through life; there will always come a time when abortions are needed by women who cannot take care of themselves (Planned Parenthood Federation of America).
• Abortion has been seen as immoral and wrong for centuries now, but it is time to realize that abortion is a natural process by which women regulate their menstrual cycles, and it does not have to be viewed in a negative light. Abortion must be protected to ensure that all women have access to safe abortions when they need them; this will become increasingly important as the years go on.
• Abortion has been a hot-button political topic for many years now, with people taking sides to either legalize or ban the procedure; however, few people realize that abortion is a natural process by which women regulate their menstrual cycles.
• Abortion must be protected because without it many women would find themselves in very poor straits indeed. Abortion has been used since ancient times as a method of birth control. Abortion is not something that only occurs in the United States, but it is something that women around the globe use to protect themselves from pregnancy (Planned Parenthood Federation of America).

Conclusion

The debate over whether abortion should be legal is one that is sure to continue for many years to come. There are valid arguments on both sides of the issue, making it a complex and sensitive topic. It is important to consider all of the potential consequences of legalizing or outlawing abortion before making a decision on the issue.

Abortion is a controversial issue that has been prevalent in our society. There are those who believe that it should be available to anyone, while others believe that it should be illegal under any circumstance. Both sides have valid arguments, making this an ongoing debate in the United States.

Those who support abortion believe that a woman should have control over her own body and reproductive choices. They argue that if a woman does not want to carry a pregnancy to term, then she should not be forced to do so against her will or religious beliefs.

However, opponents of abortion believe that all life is sacred and that abortion is a form of murder. They argue that the fetus is a human being from the moment of conception and therefore worthy of protection under the law.

In my opinion, there are merits on both sides of this debate, and it is important for each individual to consider their own views carefully before making a decision about abortion. Ultimately, I believe that decisions about whether or not abortion should be legal should be made on a case-by-case basis based on individual circumstances and needs.

While some abortions may need to remain legal in order to protect the rights of women or prevent fetal deformities or intrauterine deaths, others may be performed simply out of convenience. I believe that it is important to weigh all of the potential consequences of legalizing or outlawing abortion before making a decision on the issue.