...States, abortion laws began to appear in the 1820s, forbidding abortion after the fourth month of pregnancy. Through the efforts primarily of physicians, the American Medical Association, and legislators, most abortions in the US had been outlawed by 1900. By 1965, all fifty states banned abortion, with some exceptions which varied by state: to save the life of the mother, in cases of rape or incest, or if the fetus was deformed. Groups like the National Abortion Rights Action League and the Clergy Consultation Service on Abortion worked to liberalize anti-abortion laws. The Supreme Court in 1973, in the case of Roe v. Wade, declared most existing state abortion laws unconstitutional. This decision ruled out any legislative interference in the first trimester of pregnancy and put limits on what restrictions could be passed on abortions in later stages of pregnancy. While many celebrated the decision, others, especially in the Roman Catholic Church and in theologically conservative Christian groups, opposed the change. "Pro-life" and "pro-choice" evolved as the most common self-chosen names of the two movements, one to outlaw most abortion and the other to eliminate most legislative restrictions on abortions. According to the Center for Disease control –CDC In 2009, 784,507 legal induced abortions were reported to CDC from 48 reporting areas. The abortion rate for 2009 was 15.1 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15–44 years and the abortion ratio was 227 abortions per 1,000...
Words: 2009 - Pages: 9
...Abortion Essays A01: Explain religious and ethical arguments against abortion. (30) Generally, religious teachings are against abortion – most teachings suggest that protecting the defenceless and protecting human life are important values in religion. Although ethical systems could be seen to allow abortion, the focus is totally on the many ethical arguments that are pro life. Firstly, an ethical argument against abortion could be derived from Utilitarianism, particularly Bentham’s utilitarianism including the hedonic calculus. Take a circumstance where a woman is considering terminating her pregnancy. Combine the potential pain and guilt she would experience and add it to the pain the foetus may experience (which some scientists believe could be as early as 16 weeks) and this would outweigh the pain she would experience putting her own interests aside. It is likely that in this particular instance Bentham would be against Abortion. The hedonic calculus can also be applied against abortion., by applying all 7 factors of the calculus to a certain situation. E.g. If a 15 girl became pregnant the calculus can be applied to argue the pro life stance.. The guilt at having an abortion is immediate (remoteness), having an abortion may reduce her choices and freedom in life as it may reduce her chances of having a baby (Richness), the girl having aborted a child may feel such intense guilt that she cannot enjoy any pleasures (intensity), The lack of freedom from the pain/guilt...
Words: 1180 - Pages: 5
...Jane English states that from the liberal point of view the main argument of abortion is that its the woman's body and she can do whatever she wants with it. English then goes to refute this argument by saying “You cannot do as you please with your own body if it affects other people adversely.” (English, 128). As a counter argument to pro-abortion choice English then gives the argument that a fetus is not a person so therefore it would make it okay to kill the fetus. This is where English then uses the example that animals are also not a person but yet it still wouldn't be right to do as we please and kill animals. English then implements the counter argument that animals are killed for sport, food, and experimentation, just as long as...
Words: 685 - Pages: 3
...PROS AND CONS OF ABORTION ABORTION- it could be defined as ending a pregnancy early. There are two methods for abortion; one by taking pills i.e. medical abortion, the other is done by surgery i.e. surgical abortion. The reasons for abortion vary between the rights of choice to the rights of life. It’s a choice made when either or both partners decide not to have the conceived child. There are many arguments faced when making such a choice. The decision is challenged on the grounds of both moral and ethical. Abortion has always been a heated subject in a society, as every individual has their own school of thoughts regarding this matter. There are many perspectives through which we can argue the grounds of going for an abortion. The debate on this is divided into two groups, on that is a pro-life group claiming that a life starts at the point of conceiving, therefore abortion is literally murder. Then there is the other group fighting for the right of choice in this matter known as pro-choice group. They both are at opposite poles with their arguments. People supporting pro-choice work towards creating legal options for abortion. They work to make laws that allow people to choose under given circumstances whether they want to go for abortion or not. They are to some extant justified in supporting this perspective. In some cases, the pregnancy is too complicated or dire for the mother to give birth that it becomes absolutely necessary to go for such options. Sometimes there...
Words: 839 - Pages: 4
...By definition, abortion refers to the ending of a pregnancy by removal of fetus from the uterus of the mother before the embryo can survive its own. As an added note, abortion can be categorized into two types. One is natural abortion otherwise known as a miscarriage. In this case, the fetus is rejected by the mother’s body and does not survive to term. In some circles, this considered an act of God and therefore moral. The other is induced abortion. Induced abortion is an act done purposefully for either health reasons or other personal reasons. The last definition is where society has been divided and has caused a monumental debate as the case for and against abortion when done purposefully has ignited society’s deepest outlooks. Many philosophers...
Words: 997 - Pages: 4
...Few issues have fostered such controversy, as has the topic of abortion. The participants in the abortion debate not only have firmly-fixed beliefs, but each group has a self-designated appellation that clearly reflects what they believe to be the essential issues. On one side, the pro-choice supporters see individual choice as central to the debate: If a woman cannot choose to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, a condition which affects her body and possibly her entire life, then she has lost one of her most basic human rights. These proponents of abortion believe that while a fetus is a potential life, its life cannot be placed on the same level with that of a woman. On the other side, the pro-life opponents of abortion argue that the fetus is human and therefore given the same human rights as the mother. Stated simply, they believe that when a society legalizes abortion, it is sanctioning murder. In today's more industrialized societies, technology has simplified the abortion procedure to a few basic and safe methods. Technology, however, has also enhanced society's knowledge of the fetus. Ultrasound, fetal therapy, and amniocentesis graphically reveal complex life before birth, and it is this potential human life that is at the heart of the debate. In order to form an opinion on this matter, we must first question and define several common factors which are numerously debated. I. When does human life begin? Scientists identify the first moment of human life...
Words: 2265 - Pages: 10
...B. I Chose to write on Georgia answer. C. There is no reason for a person to undergo abortion no matter the circumstances of the child’s birth. If a child is conceived by rape then the child is not at fault for the crime that its parent committed. Since it is not the fault of the child there is no reason that it should be aborted in the event the mother searches for that option. By allowing the child to survive, the parent will gain mental and emotional salvation from the joys that come with childbirth, and give a child the chance to have life. It will also serve as a method of healing for the parent as well. With the case of incest, giving birth to a child helps the parent by freeing them from the mental torment of incestuous actions. It exposes the other parent that is having the inappropriate relationship with them, and the shame should be enough to prevent further instances as such. Women who utilize contraception also should not be allowed to abort their children because they were well aware of their actions before the committed them. D. There are multiple fallacies in the argument suggested by my colleague and many of them come about because they are based on assumptions. It is not certain that every woman would find joy in birthing a child that was a product of a rape. There are many cases, in which, the mother grows to resent the child and those complications can lead to many negatives in the future. My colleague assumed that the child would help them heal, when...
Words: 839 - Pages: 4
...DEFINITIONS OF TERMS Euthanasia is the act of deliberately ending the life of a patient at the request of the patient or at the request of close relatives. “Euthanatos” is the art and discipline of dying in peace and dignity, practice of painless death. Euthanasia is commonly known as “mercy killing”, comes from the Greek root word that translates as “good death” but more strictly translated as “easy death”. It is the action of hastening death of a person who is seriously or terminally ill or injured to bring relief to the individual. Abortion - it means taking action to bring to a premature ending the process of fetal development, aborting or expelling the unborn from the womb and thus terminating the cycle of nature. To abort something means to stop something that has already begun. In military terms we say to abort a mission that has already begun or started. When we speak of abortion we mean to stop a life that has already begun to develop. Thus it is putting a stop to God’s plan for human life. OTHER TERMS Passive Euthanasia - is a refusal to use life sustaining medical equipment to prolong life where there is no (medically) prospect of recovery. Active Euthanasia - is to take purposeful action to end a person’s life, in a sense it is an aided suicide. Voluntary Euthanasia - Form of suicide where one may make a ‘living will’ which guarantees him a right to “die with dignity”. Involuntary Euthanasia - Socially or politically motivated acts in causing the death of people...
Words: 2846 - Pages: 12
...Abortion is a surgical or medical procedure performed to end pregnancy. Abortion is mostly done in a time of crisis. Perhaps the pregnancy was intended but after the baby being conceived circumstances start becoming unfavorable. Your partner perhaps drew away, financial stability becomes weak and many others of so (Scotland 1998).In the nineteenth century, Britain and most states in America considered abortion as a rebellion to God. Though now abortion is legal in both USA and Britain, it was influenced by some events. In the USA, the Roe V. Wade case of 1973 in the Supreme Court, led to allowance of abortion in the first trimester. In the second trimester abortion is allowed if it is only in the best interest of maternal health. In Britain, a doctor on medical ground advised on the abortion, and the 1967 Abortion Act made it legal (Newman and...
Words: 1019 - Pages: 5
...Abortion has been a topic of great controversy for nearly forty one years now. In 1971 a single, pregnant female sued the state of Texas because the law stated that an abortion could not be performed unless it was medically necessary to save the mother’s life. Her doctor was also a plaintiff in the case because he was facing two counts of murder for performing an abortion on a mother that was not medically necessary. A couple who could not have children and believed taking an unborn child’s life was unethical and wrong counter sued with the defense attorney by the name of Wade. This brought about a court decision almost two years later upholding legalized abortion and stating the laws in Texas were vague and unjustifiable. Stating that it was a woman’s right to choose abortion. Allowing women the option to have an abortion up until twenty four weeks gestation. Leading the way for other states to change their laws governing abortions. This brought about a whole new issue as to whether abortion should be legal or not. Prior to Roe vs. Wade an abortion could not be performed unless the mother’s health was at great risk. After the case, many states reevaluated their laws so that mothers could have an abortion for various reasons including “just because they weren’t ready to settle down.” This decision divided the American people as to whether it was ethically and morally right for a woman to choose abortion. In 2013, there were over one million abortions performed in the United...
Words: 1827 - Pages: 8
...Abortions are one of the many things that everyone has an opinion on. As defined by the 2012 Merriam-Webster dictionary, an Encyclopedia Britannica Company, an abortion is, “the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus as a spontaneous expulsion of a human fetus during the first 12 weeks of gestation--miscarriage, the induced expulsion of a human fetus, or the expulsion of a fetus by a domestic animal often due to infection at any time before completion of pregnancy.” Abortions have always been and will probably always be a controversial topic in which everyone will not agree upon. In the midst of the controversy, two groups have emerged. These groups are referred to as pro-life and pro-choice. According to Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context, pro-life supporters claim that life begins at conception, therefore, abortion at any stage in the pregnancy is murder. They believe that life is valuable and the life of the unborn baby has the same rights as the mother. Pro-choice supporters, on the other hand, claim that it is the woman’s right to choose what she does with her body. These pro-abortionists claim that anti-abortionists are truly against the rights of women and free choice rather than the termination of the fetus. Pro-life and pro-choice advocates differ in many of their opinions, specifically, concerning when life begins, affects abortions have on the...
Words: 1477 - Pages: 6
...and processes. This implies that people have the capability to safely reproduce, provided within the context of the law. In the Philippines, RH bill aims to promise complete access to modern methods and information which openly engage on birth control and maternal care. II. Counter Arguments Proponents Arguments: 1. Overpopulation in the Philippines intensified the country's poverty rate thus causing the government to have difficulties in dealing the concern. 2. Experimental studies showed that poverty incidence is top among huge families and smaller-sized household has a larger opportunity to invest on better education, health, nutrition and eventually reduce poverty and hunger within the family level. 3. World Health Organization listed the use of contraception as one of the essential medicines to lower abortion rate according to Guttmacher Institute. 4. A 2008 SWS survey resulted that 71% of the respondents are approving of the bill as it proposed to educate people to be more responsive in choosing a smaller-sized family giving them free will to select a line-up of family planning methods set forth by reasoned population policy. Opponents Argument: 1. The bill misleads people casing the point that there has no connection between population growth and poverty based on the study of Nobel-prize winner Simon Kuznets. 2. The use of contraceptives present serious health risk and is deemed an immoral practice to control life. 3. The bill eliminates limited government funds...
Words: 662 - Pages: 3
...THE VOICE OF THE VOICELESS: EVALUATING THE CONTEMPORARY STANCE ON ABORTION ABSTRACT The willful taking of another man’s life has been termed immoral not only in the religious parlance. In the political realm, fundamental human rights and humanitarian principles hold the protection and preservation of human life as the most important exigency to be unflinchingly promoted among nations. While the principle of “right to life” has been promoted by many UN nations, the phenomenon of abortion has become a reality not frowned at among these nations but one that is encouraged as an expression of human freedom and an instrument of population control. In this article, we shall provoke, and not just provide, theological cum sociological reflections on the act of abortion so as to lay bared the often taken for granted assumptions of its right and left wing proponents. INTRODUCTION The term “Abortion” is etymologically rooted in the Latin word “Aboriri” meaning “miscarry”. Going by this etymology, one may literarily define abortion as either a mechanized or unintended termination or miscarriage of a pregnancy. Technically speaking, abortion is the deliberate act or a medical operation purported to end a pregnancy at an early stage. It is the ending of the life of a fetus before it is able to survive on its own. Most of the arguments that have ensued on abortion recently are based mainly on whether the fetus is a human or a tissue. They all in like fashion gear toward showcasing...
Words: 2205 - Pages: 9
...Over-the-Counter Birth Control Stephanie Myers BCOM/275 September 23, 2013 Jacqueline Crawford Over-the-Counter Birth Control In the fussing over the sale of emergency contraception over-the-counter, it is easy to forget that there is another contraception drug that should be available over-the-counter but is not: the birth control pill. Oral contraceptives are basically the same drug as Plan B, but in smaller doses. Over-the-counter birth control should be readily available to women. There are many health risks to teenagers who get pregnant. It is commonly known that teen pregnancies occur with lower income, drug abuse, and high school drop-outs. From a sensible point-of-view, the financial hardships that teen pregnancy places on the health care system at large are enormous. It is ridiculous to say that birth control will encourage sexual activity; people will have sex regardless of their access to birth control. It is foolish for people to think they can demand that Americans go by their moral standard of waiting until marriage to have sex. We have to educate teenagers to the risks of unprotected sex, but it is ultimately up to them how they handle their bodies. When will men in government and men in the church stop telling women how to take care of their bodies. Women know how to take care of themselves. This would also cut down on the number of women seeking abortions. Young females should be making their decisions based on their own emotional...
Words: 538 - Pages: 3
..." This implies that people have the capability to safely reproduce, provided within the context of the law. In the Philippines, RH bill aims to promise complete access to modern methods and information which openly engage on birth control and maternal care. II. COUNTER ARGUMENTS Proponents Argument: 1. Overpopulation in the Philippines intensified the country's poverty rate thus causing the government to have difficulties in dealing the concern. 2. Experimental studies showed that poverty incidence is top among huge families and smaller-sized household has a larger opportunity to invest on better education, health, nutrition and eventually reduce poverty and hunger within the family level. 3. World Health Organization listed the use of contraception as one of the essential medicines to lower abortion rate according to Guttmacher Institute. 4. A 2008 SWS survey resulted that 71% of the respondents are approving of the bill as it proposed to educate people to be more responsive in choosing a smaller-sized family giving them free will to select a line-up of family planning methods set forth by reasoned population policy. Opponents Argument: 1. The bill misleads people casing the point that there has no connection between population growth and poverty based on the study of Nobel-prize winner Simon Kuznets. 2. The use of contraceptives present serious health risk and is deemed an immoral practice to control life. 3. The bill eliminates limited government...
Words: 667 - Pages: 3
