RUNNING HEAD: The Controversy that Abortion is

The Controversy that Abortion is

Alberto Duees Ibarra
University of Texas at El Paso

The Controversy that Abortion is

Abortion in general
Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy, which can be induced or can happen due to
natural factors (also known as miscarriage). Worldwide there is an estimation of around
40-50 million abortions per year. Abortion is legal without any restriction in many
countries like the United States, Austria, Spain and many more. 1 st semester abortions
were legalized in a federal level in the United States after the United States Supreme
Court decision in the case of Roe v. Wade (1973).
The basis of the decision of the Supreme Court was that under the 14 th amendments
Due Process Clause, a woman had a right to have an abortion. However this right was
also to be regulated by the interest to protect potential life. This means that a woman is
free to have an abortion as long as no life was terminated by it, thus resulting in the ban
of 3rd trimester abortions.
The Main Controversy
Roe V. Wade sparked a never ending debate on whether abortion should be legal or
not. The main point of debate is when the fetus is considered to be alive. Some argue
that the fetus is not considered to be alive until fetal viablility (which is the point where a
fetus can survive outside of its mothers womb). While others argue that the fetus/egg is
alive from the point of fertilization and afterwards.
Also, a woman can have an abortion without paternal consent. Meaning that the father
of the fetus has no voice on the abortion. The father has no right to be informed that an
abortion has taken place either. Which is unjust, as he is also responsible for the
pregnancy.

The Controversy that Abortion is

My Opinion
After the point of fertilization there is no going back. Under natural circumstances after
fertilization 90% or higher of the time the fetus will be born. Human intervention is what
stops the fetus from being born, therefore it is wrong to have an abortion, and it is
indeed murder. Not only are they depriving a human form his life, but theyre depriving
themselves and the father from their right to be parents.
There was a survey on women that had abortions, and a larger quantity of women gave
unmarried and having a baby would dramatically change my life as a reason as of to
why they chose to have an abortion. Abortion allows women to escape consequences
for their decisions (except in cases of rape). People need to be responsible and face the
consequences of their actions. If they know they cant afford to have a baby, then why
would they engage in unsafe sexual activity? Contraceptive methods arent 100%
effective and people who use them are aware of it, so why run the risk if the
consequences are drastic? Also, is murdering your own child to prevent a change in
your life really worth it? Two of my friends who were close were deprived from their right
to be a father without their consent, and they wouldve kept the kid and raised him had
they known.