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ShouldAbortionBeLegal?
Thedebateoverwhetherornotabortionshouldbealegaloptioncontinuesto
divideAmericanslongaftertheUSSupremeCourt's72decisiononRoev.
Wadedeclaredtheprocedurea"fundamentalright"onJan.22,1973.
Proponents, identifying themselves as prochoice, contend that choosing
abortion is a woman's right that should not be limited by governmental or
religious authority, and which outweighs any right claimed for an embryo or
fetus.Theysaythatpregnantwomenwillresorttounsafeillegalabortionsif
thereisnolegaloption.
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AbortionProCon.orgisanonpartisan,nonprofitwebsitethatpresentsresearch,studies,andproandconstatementsrelatedtoabortion.Thisprocondebaterevolves
aroundwhetherornotabortionshouldbealegaloptionforterminatingpregnanciesthatdonotinvolverape,incest,orwhenamotherslifeisindanger.Forbrevitywe
haveabbreviatedthatissuedowntothecorequestion"Shouldabortionbelegal?
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DidYouKnow?
1.FromRoev.Wadein1973through2011,nearly53millionlegalabortions
wereperformedintheUnitedStatesanaverageofabout1.4million
abortionsperyear.[84]At2008abortionrates,threeintenUSwomenwill
haveanabortionbeforeage45.[13]
2.AlthoughtheCatholicandLutheranchurchesopposeabortion,moreoftheir
membersbelieveabortionshouldbelegalinallormostcasesversusillegal
inallormostcases(51%vs.45%,Lutheran48%vs.45%,Catholic).[151]
3.Awoman'sriskofdyingfromhavinganabortionis0.6in100,000,while
theriskofdyingfromgivingbirthisaround14timeshigher(8.8in100,000).
[3]Themortalityrateofacolonoscopyismorethan40timesgreaterthan
thatofanabortion.[122]
4.9.3%ofabortionsreportedtotheCentersforDiseaseControland
Preventionin2011wereundergonebywomenwhohadthreeormore
previousabortions.[161]
5.MoreUSstateabortionrestrictionswereenactedbetween2011and2013
(205intotal)thanwereadoptedduringthewholepreviousdecade(189).
[105]
Pro&ConArguments:"ShouldAbortionBeLegal?"
PROLegalAbortion
1.TheUSSupremeCourthasdeclaredabortion
tobea"fundamentalright"guaranteedbythe
USConstitution.ThelandmarkabortioncaseRoev.
Wade,decidedonJan.22,1973infavorofabortionrights,
remainsthelawoftheland.The72decisionstatedthatthe
Constitutiongives"aguaranteeofcertainareasorzonesof
privacy,"andthat"Thisrightofprivacy...isbroadenoughto
encompassawoman'sdecisionwhetherornottoterminate
herpregnancy."[49]
2.Reproductivechoiceempowerswomenby
givingthemcontrolovertheirownbodies.The
choiceoverwhenandwhethertohavechildreniscentralto
awoman'sindependenceandabilitytodetermineherfuture.
[134]SupremeCourtJusticeSandraDayO'Connorwrotein
the1992decisioninPlannedParenthoodv.Casey,"The
abilityofwomentoparticipateequallyintheeconomicand
sociallifeoftheNationhasbeenfacilitatedbytheirability
tocontroltheirreproductivelives."[8]SupremeCourt
JusticeRuthBaderGinsburgwroteinherdissentingopinion
CONLegalAbortion
1.Abortionismurder.Thekillingofaninnocenthuman
beingiswrong,evenifthathumanbeinghasyettobeborn.
UnbornbabiesareconsideredhumanbeingsbytheUS
government.ThefederalUnbornVictimsofViolenceAct,
whichwasenacted"toprotectunbornchildrenfromassault
andmurder,"statesthatunderfederallaw,anybody
intentionallykillingorattemptingtokillanunbornchild
should"bepunished...forintentionallykillingorattempting
tokillahumanbeing."Theactalsostatesthatanunborn
childisa"memberofthespecieshomosapiens."[126]At
least38stateshavepassedsimilarfetalhomicidelaws.
[127]
2.Lifebeginsatconception,sounbornbabies
arehumanbeingswitharighttolife.Upon
fertilization,ahumanindividualiscreatedwithaunique
geneticidentitythatremainsunchangedthroughouthisor
herlife.Thisindividualhasafundamentalrighttolife,which
mustbeprotected.JeromeLejeune,theFrenchgeneticist
whodiscoveredthechromosomeabnormalitythatcauses
inGonzalesv.Carhart(2007)thatunduerestrictionson
abortioninfringeupon"awoman'sautonomytodetermine
herlife'scourse,andthustoenjoyequalcitizenship
stature."[59]CNNseniorlegalanalystJeffreyToobin,JD,
statedthatRoev.Wadewas"alandmarkofwhatis,inthe
truestsense,womensliberation."[113]
Downsyndrome,statedthat"Toacceptthefactthatafter
fertilizationhastakenplaceanewhumanhascomeinto
beingisnolongeramatteroftasteoropinion...Thehuman
natureofthehumanbeingfromconceptiontooldageisnot
ametaphysicalcontention,itisplainexperimental
evidence."[15][16]
3.Personhoodbeginsafterafetusbecomes
"viable"(abletosurviveoutsidethewomb)or
afterbirth,notatconception.[31][32]Embryosand
fetusesarenotindependent,selfdeterminingbeings,and
abortionistheterminationofapregnancy,notababy.A
person'sageiscalculatedfrombirthdate,notconception,
andfetusesarenotcountedintheUSCensus.The
majorityopinioninRoev.Wadestatesthat"theword
'person,'asusedintheFourteenthAmendment[oftheUS
Constitution],doesnotincludetheunborn."[49]
4.Fetusesareincapableoffeelingpainwhen
mostabortionsareperformed.Accordingtoa
2010reviewbyBritain'sRoyalCollegeofObstetriciansand
Gynaecologists,"mostneuroscientistsbelievethatthe
cortexisnecessaryforpainperception."Thecortexdoes
notbecomefunctionaluntilatleastthe26thweekofa
fetus'development,longaftermostabortionsare
performed.Thisfindingwasendorsedin2012bythe
AmericanCollegeofObstetriciansandGynecologists,[1]
whichstatedthatthatthereis"nolegitimatescientific
informationthatsupportsthestatementthatafetus
experiencespain."[142]A2005UniversityofCaliforniaat
SanFranciscostudysaidfetusesprobablycan'tfeelpain
untilthe29thor30thweekofgestation.[166]Abortionsthat
lateintoapregnancyareextremelyrareandareoften
restrictedbystatelaws.[164]AccordingtoStuartW.G.
Derbyshire,PhD,SeniorLecturerattheUniversityof
Birmingham(England),"...fetusescannotbeheldto
experiencepain.Notonlyhasthebiologicaldevelopment
notyetoccurredtosupportpainexperience,butthe
environmentafterbirth,sonecessarytothedevelopmentof
painexperience,isalsoyettooccur."[10]The"flinching"
andotherreactionsseeninfetuseswhentheydetectpain
stimuliaremerereflexes,notanindicationthatthefetusis
perceivingor"feeling"anything.[135][145]
5.Accesstolegal,professionallyperformed
abortionsreducesmaternalinjuryanddeath
causedbyunsafe,illegalabortions.Accordingto
DanielR.Mishell,Jr.,MD,ChairoftheDepartmentof
ObstetricsandGynecologyattheKeckSchoolofMedicine,
UniversityofSouthernCalifornia,beforeabortionwas
legalizedwomenwouldfrequentlytrytoinduceabortionsby
usingcoathangers,knittingneedles,orradiatorflush,orby
goingtounsafe"backalley"abortionists.[150]In1972,there
were39maternaldeathsfromillegalabortions.By1976,
afterRoev.Wadehadlegalizedabortionnationwide,this
numberdroppedtotwo.[7]TheWorldHealthOrganization
estimatedin2004thatunsafeabortionscause68,000
maternaldeathsworldwideeachyear,manyofthosein
developingcountrieswheresafeandlegalabortionservices
aredifficulttoaccess.[11]
6.Modernabortionproceduresaresafeanddo
notcauselastinghealthissuessuchas
cancerandinfertility.Apeerreviewedstudy
publishedbyObstetrics&GynecologyinJan.2015reported
thatlessthanonequarterofonepercentofabortionslead
tomajorhealthcomplications.[159][160]A2012studyin
Obstetrics&Gynecologyfoundawoman'sriskofdying
fromhavinganabortionis0.6in100,000,whiletheriskof
dyingfromgivingbirthisaround14timeshigher(8.8in
100,000).Thestudyalsofoundthat"pregnancyrelated
complicationsweremorecommonwithchildbirththanwith
abortion."[3]TheAmericanMedicalAssociationandthe
AmericanCollegeofObstetriciansandGynecologists
stated"Abortionisoneofthesafestmedicalprocedures
performedintheUnitedStates."Theyalsosaidthe
mortalityrateofacolonoscopyismorethan40times
greaterthanthatofanabortion.[122]TheNationalCancer
Institute(NCI),theAmericanCancerSociety(ACS),and
theAmericanCollegeofObstetriciansandGynecologists
allrefutedtheclaimthatabortioncanleadtoahigher
probabilityofdevelopingbreastcancer.[22]A1993fertility
3.Fetusesfeelpainduringtheabortion
procedure.MaureenCondic,PhD,AssociateProfessor
ofNeurobiologyandAnatomyandAdjunctAssociate
ProfessorofPediatricsattheUniversityofUtahSchoolof
Medicine,explainsthatthe"mostprimitiveresponseto
pain,thespinalreflex,"isdevelopedbyeightweeks
gestation,andaddsthat"Thereisuniversalagreementthat
painisdetectedbythefetusinthefirsttrimester."[18]
AccordingtoKanwaljeetJ.S.Anand,MBBS,DPhil,
ProfessorofPediatrics,AnesthesiologyandNeurobiology
attheUniversityofTennesseeHealthScienceCenter,"If
thefetusisbeyond20weeksofgestation,Iwouldassume
thattherewillbepaincausedtothefetus.AndIbelieveit
willbesevereandexcruciatingpain."[24]BernardN.
Nathanson,MD,thelateabortiondoctorwhorenouncedhis
earlierworkandbecameaprolifeactivist,statedthatwhen
anabortionisperformedona12weekoldfetus,"Wesee
[inanultrasoundimage]thechildsmouthopeninasilent
scream...Thisisthesilentscreamofachildthreatened
imminentlywithextinction."[145]
4.Abortionisthekillingofahumanbeing,
whichdefiesthewordofGod.TheBibledoesnot
drawadistinctionbetweenfetusesandbabies:theGreek
wordbrephosisusedintheBibletorefertobothanunborn
childandaninfant.[30]Bythetimeababyisconceived,he
orsheisrecognizedbyGod,asdemonstratedinJeremiah
1:5:"BeforeIformedtheeinthebellyIknewtheeand
beforethoucamestforthoutofthewombIsanctified
thee..."[133]TheSixthCommandmentoftheBible'sOld
Testament,"Thoushaltnotkill"(Exodus20:13),appliesto
allhumanbeings,includingunbornbabies.[23]IntheHindu
religion,theholytextKaushitakiUpanishadstatesthat
abortionisanequivalentmisdeedtokillingonesown
parents.[148]TheBBCstatesthat"TraditionalBuddhism
rejectsabortionbecauseitinvolvesthedeliberate
destroyingofalife."[149]
5.ThedecisioninRoev.Wadewaswrongand
shouldbeoverturned.USSupremeCourtJustice
AntoninScaliastatedthattherighttoprivacydefendedin
Roev.Wadeis"utterlyidiotic"andshouldnotbe
consideredbindingprecedent:"Thereisnorighttoprivacy
[intheUSConstitution]."[153][154]Inhisdissentingopinion
inRoev.Wade,JusticeWilliamH.Rehnquiststatedthat
anabortion"isnot'private'intheordinaryusageofthat
word.Noristhe'privacy'thattheCourtfindshereevena
distantrelativeofthefreedomfromsearchesandseizures
protectedbytheFourthAmendmenttotheConstitution..."
[49]Furthermore,the14thAmendmentbarsstatesfrom
depriving"anypersonoflife,liberty,orproperty,without
dueprocessoflaw."[155]TheSupremeCourtoverreached
inRoev.Wadewhenitexcludedunbornchildrenfromthe
classof"persons."[156][157]
6.Abortionscausepsychologicaldamage.A
2008peerreviewedstudypublishedintheScandinavian
JournalofPublicHealthfoundthat"Youngadultwomen
whoundergo...abortionmaybeatincreasedriskfor
subsequentdepression."[44]Apeerreviewed2005study
publishedinBMCMedicinefoundthatwomenwho
underwentanabortionhad"significantlyhigher"anxiety
scoresontheHospitalAnxietyandDepressionScaleupto
fiveyearsafterthepregnancytermination.[69]A2002peer
reviewedstudypublishedbytheSouthernMedicalJournal
ofmorethan173,000Americanwomenfoundthatwomen
whoabortedwere154%morelikelytocommitsuicidethan
womenwhocarriedtoterm.[26]A1996studypublishedin
theBritishMedicalJournalreportedthatthemeanannual
suiciderateamongstwomenwhohadanabortionwas34.7
per100,000,comparedwithameanrateof11.3per
100,000inthegeneralpopulationofwomen.[45]AnApr.
1998JournalofSocialandClinicalPsychologystudyof
menwhosepartnershadabortionsfoundthat51.6%ofthe
menreportedregret,45.2%feltsadness,and25.8%
experienceddepression.[27]
investigationof10,767womenbytheJointRoyalCollege
ofGeneralPractitionersandtheRoyalCollegeof
ObstetriciansandGynecologistsfoundthatwomenwho
hadatleasttwoabortionsexperiencedthesamefuture
fertilityasthosewhohadatleasttwonaturalpregnancies.
[14]
7.Womenwhoreceiveabortionsarelesslikely
tosuffermentalhealthproblemsthanwomen
deniedabortions.ASep.2013peerreviewedstudy
comparingthementalhealthofwomenwhoreceived
abortionstowomendeniedabortionsfoundthatwomenwho
weredeniedabortions"feltmoreregretandanger"and"less
reliefandhappiness"thanwomenwhohadabortions.The
samestudyalsofoundthat95%ofwomenwhoreceived
abortions"feltitwastherightdecision"aweekafterthe
procedure.[158]StudiesbytheAmericanPsychological
Association(APA),theAcademyofMedicalRoyalColleges
(AMRC),andresearchersatJohnsHopkinsBloomberg
SchoolofPublicHealthallconcludedthatpurportedlinks
betweenabortionandmentalhealthproblemsare
unfounded.[152]
8.Abortiongivespregnantwomentheoptionto
choosenottobringfetuseswithprofound
abnormalitiestofullterm.Somefetuseshavesuch
severedisordersthatdeathisguaranteedbeforeorshortly
afterbirth.Theseincludeanencephaly,inwhichthebrainis
missing,andlimbbodywallcomplex,inwhichorgans
developoutsidethebodycavity.[12]Itwouldbecruelto
forcewomentocarryfetuseswithfatalcongenitaldefects
toterm.Eveninthecaseofnonfatalconditions,suchas
Downsyndrome,parentsmaybeunabletocarefora
severelydisabledchild.DeborahAnneDriscoll,MD,
ProfessorofObstetricsandGynecologyattheUniversityof
Pennsylvania,said"manycouples...donthavethe
resources,donthavetheemotionalstamina,donthavethe
familysupport[toraiseachildwithDownsyndrome]."[9]
9.Womenwhoaredeniedabortionsaremore
likelytobecomeunemployed,tobeonpublic
welfare,tobebelowthepovertyline,andto
becomevictimsofdomesticviolence.A
UniversityofCaliforniaatSanFranciscostudyfoundthat
womenwhowereturnedawayfromabortionclinics
(becausetheyhadpassedthegestationallimitimposedby
theclinic)werethreetimesmorelikelytobebelowthe
povertyleveltwoyearslaterthanwomenwhowereableto
obtainabortions.76%ofthe"turnaways"endedupon
unemploymentbenefits,comparedwith44%ofthewomen
whohadabortions.Thesamestudyfoundthatwomen
unabletoobtainabortionsweremorelikelytostayina
relationshipwithanabusivepartnerthanwomenwhohad
anabortion,andweremorethantwiceaslikelytobecome
victimsofdomesticviolence.[114][73]
10.Reproductivechoiceprotectswomenfrom
financialdisadvantage.Manywomenwhochoose
abortiondon'thavethefinancialresourcestosupporta
child.42%ofwomenhavingabortionsarebelowthefederal
povertylevel.[13]ASep.2005surveyinthepeerreviewed
PerspectivesonSexualandReproductiveHealthasking
womenwhytheyhadanabortionfoundthat73%of
respondentssaidtheycouldnotaffordtohaveababy,and
38%saidgivingbirthwouldinterferewiththeireducation
andcareergoals.[19]AnOct.2010Universityof
MassachusettsatAmherststudypublishedinthepeer
reviewedAmericanSociologicalReviewfoundthatwomen
atallincomelevelsearnlesswhentheyhavechildren,with
lowwageworkersbeingmostaffected,sufferinga15%
earningspenalty.[136]
11.Ababyshouldnotcomeintotheworld
unwanted.Havingachildisanimportantdecisionthat
requiresconsideration,preparation,andplanning.The
ColoradoDepartmentofPublicHealthandEnvironment
statedthatunintendedpregnanciesareassociatedwithbirth
defects,lowbirthweight,maternaldepression,increased
riskofchildabuse,lowereducationalattainment,delayed
entryintoprenatalcare,ahighriskofphysicalviolence
duringpregnancy,andreducedratesofbreastfeeding.[75]
7.Abortionsreducethenumberofadoptable
babies.Insteadofhavingtheoptiontoabort,women
shouldgivetheirunwantedbabiestopeoplewhocannot
conceive.Thepercentageofinfantsgivenupforadoptionin
theUnitedStatesdeclinedfrom9%ofthosebornbefore
1973to1%ofthosebornbetween1996and2002.[53]Asa
resultofthelackofwomenputtingtheirchildrenupfor
adoption,thenumberofUSinfantadoptionsdroppedfrom
about90,000in1971to18,000in2007.[46]Around2.6
millionAmericanwomenweretryingtoadoptchildrenasof
2002,accordingtotheUSDepartmentofHealthand
HumanServices.[76]
8.Selectiveabortionbasedongenetic
abnormalities(eugenictermination)isovert
discrimination.Physicallimitationsdon'tmakethose
withdisabilitieslessthanhuman.TheAmericanswith
DisabilitiesActof1990[54]providescivilrightsprotection
topeoplebornwithdisabilitiessotheycanleadfulfilling
lives.TheNationalDownSyndromeSocietystatesthat
"peoplewithDownsyndromeliveathomewiththeir
familiesandareactiveparticipantsintheeducational,
vocational,social,andrecreationalactivitiesofthe
community.PeoplewithDownsyndromearevalued
membersoftheirfamiliesandtheircommunities,
contributingtosocietyinavarietyofways."[66]The
increaseinabortionsofbabieswithDownsyndrome(over
80%ofwomenchoosetoabortDownsyndromebabies[70])
reducedtheDownsyndromepopulationby15%between
1989and2005.[67]
9.Womenshouldnotbeabletouseabortion
asaformofcontraception.Itisimmoraltokillan
unbornchildforconvenience.[116]TheGuttmacherInstitute
reportedthathalfofallwomenhavingabortionseveryyear
havehadatleastonepreviousabortion,[13]while8.5%of
abortionsreportedtotheCentersforDiseaseControland
Preventionin2010wereundergonebywomenwhohad
threeormorepreviousabortions.[83]Thissuggeststhat
manywomenareusingabortionasacontraceptivemethod.
[78]FreakonomicscoauthorStevenLevitt,PhD,wrotethat
afterabortionwaslegalized,"Conceptionsrosebynearly
30percent,butbirthsactuallyfellby6percent,indicating
thatmanywomenwereusingabortionasamethodofbirth
control,acrudeanddrasticsortofinsurancepolicy."[38]
10.Ifwomenbecomepregnant,theyshould
accepttheresponsibilitythatcomeswith
producingachild.Peopleneedtotakeresponsibility
fortheiractionsandaccepttheconsequences.Having
sexualintercourse,evenwhencontraceptivemethodsare
used,carrieswithittheriskofapregnancy.[128]The
unbornbabyshouldnotbepunishedforamistakemadeby
adults.Ifwomenareunpreparedtocarefortheirchildren,
theyshouldatleastputthemupforadoption.
11.TheoriginaltextoftheHippocraticOath,
traditionallytakenbydoctorswhenswearing
topracticemedicineethically,forbids
abortion.Onesectionoftheclassicalversionoftheoath
reads:"Iwillnotgiveawomanapessary[adeviceinserted
intothevagina]tocauseanabortion."Themodernversion
oftheHippocraticOath,writtenin1964byLuisLasagna,
stilleffectivelyforbidsdoctorsfromperformingabortionsin
theline,"Aboveall,ImustnotplayatGod."[25]
12.Abortionpromotesacultureinwhichhuman
lifeisdisposable.Thelegalizationofabortionsendsa
messagethathumanlifehaslittlevalue.[144]PopeFrancis
condemned"'thethrowawayculture'"inJan.2014,stating
that"whatisthrownawayisnotonlyfoodanddispensable
objects,butoftenhumanbeingsthemselves,whoare
discardedas'unnecessary'.Forexample,itisfrightfuleven
tothinktherearechildren,victimsofabortion,whowill
neverseethelightofday..."[143]HouseRepresentative
RandyHultgren(RIL)wroteinJan.2014that"Whenwe
telloneanotherthatabortionisokay,wereinforcetheidea
thathumanlivesaredisposable,thatwecanthrowaway
anythingoranyonethatinconveniencesus."[36]
49%ofallpregnanciesamongAmericanwomenare
unintended.[50]
12.Abortionreduceswelfarecoststotaxpayers.
TheCongressionalBudgetOffice(CBO),anonpartisan
federalagency,evaluatedaproposedantiabortionbillthat
wouldbanallabortionsnationwideafter20weeksof
pregnancy,andfoundthattheresultingadditionalbirths
wouldincreasethefederaldeficitby$225millionovernine
years,duetotheincreasedneedforMedicaidcoverage.
Also,sincemanywomenseekinglatetermabortionsare
economicallydisadvantaged,theirchildrenarelikelyto
requirewelfareassistance.[129][130]
13.Abortionreducescrime.Accordingtoastudyco
writtenbyFreakonomicscoauthorStevenD.Levitt,PhD,
andpublishedinthepeerreviewedQuarterlyJournalof
Economics,"legalizedabortionhascontributedsignificantly
torecentcrimereductions."Around18yearsafterabortion
waslegalized,crimeratesbegantodropabruptly,and
crimeratesdroppedearlierinstatesthatallowedabortion
earlier.Because"womenwhohaveabortionsarethose
mostatrisktogivebirthtochildrenwhowouldengagein
criminalactivity,"andwomenwhohadcontroloverthe
timingofchildbearingweremorelikelytoraisechildrenin
optimalenvironments,crimeisreducedwhenthereis
accesstolegalabortion.[20]
14.Abortionisjustifiedasameansofpopulation
control.PhilosopherPeterSinger,MA,Professorof
BioethicsatPrincetonUniversity,defendedabortionasa
waytocurboverpopulation.[137]TheUnitedNations
estimatedthattheworld'spopulationwillincreaseto9.3
billionby2050,whichwouldbe"theequivalentofadding
anotherIndiaandChinatotheworld,"accordingtotheLos
AngelesTimes.[131]Malnutrition,starvation,poverty,lack
ofmedicalandeducationalservices,pollution,
underdevelopment,andconflictoverresourcesareall
consequencesofoverpopulation.[21]With43.8million
abortionsperformedworldwidein2008[74],thepopulation
increaseifabortionwereunavailablecouldbesubstantial.
[132]
15.Manyreligiousorganizationsandpeopleof
13.Allowingabortionconflictswiththe
unalienablerighttoliferecognizedbythe
FoundingFathersoftheUnitedStates.The
DeclarationofIndependencestatesthat"[A]llmenare
createdequal,thattheyareendowedbytheirCreatorwith
certainunalienableRights,thatamongtheseareLife,
LibertyandthepursuitofHappiness."[51]Abortiontakes
awayfromtheunborntheunalienablerighttolifethatthe
FoundingFathersintendedforallhumanbeings.[115]
14.AbortiondisproportionatelyaffectsAfrican
Americanbabies.IntheUnitedStates,blackwomen
are3.3timesaslikelyaswhitewomentohaveanabortion,
accordingtotheGuttmacherInstitute.[68]InNewYorkCity
in2012,moreblackbabieswereaborted(31,328)thanhad
livebirths(24,758).[77]
15.Abortioneliminatesthepotentialsocietal
contributionsofafuturehumanbeing.
AccordingtoHeismanTrophywinningfootballplayerTim
Tebow,"thereasonI'mhere"isbecausehismotherignored
theadviceofdoctorswhorecommendedanabortion.[117]It
hasalsobeenreportedthatthemothersofentertainers
CelineDion,Cher,andJustinBieberwereeitheradvisedto
haveabortionsorwereconsideringtheprocedure,but
chosetogivebirthtotheirbabiesinstead.[118][120][119]
16.Abortionmayleadtofuturemedical
problemsforthemother.AJune2003study
publishedbythepeerreviewedInternationalJournalof
Epidemiologyestimatedthatabout15%offirsttrimester
miscarriagesareattributedtoapriorhistoryofinduced
abortion,andstatedthat"Inducedabortionbyvacuum
aspirationisassociatedwithanincreasedriskoffirst
trimestermiscarriageinthesubsequentpregnancy."[34]A
2013ChinesestudypublishedinthepeerreviewedIndian
JournalofCancerfoundanassociationbetweenbreast
cancerandahistoryofabortions[71].AFeb.2014study
publishedinthepeerreviewedCancerCausesandControl
foundthatabortion"issignificantlyassociatedwithan
increasedriskofbreastcancer"andthat"theriskofbreast
cancerincreasesasthenumberof[abortions]increases."
[72]
faithsupportwomen'sreproductivechoice.
Althoughmanyreligiousgroupsopposeabortion,theUnited
MethodistChurch,thePresbyterianChurch,andthe
UnitarianUniversalistAssociationofCongregationsareall
officiallyprochoice.[139][140][141]TheBible,despite
interpretationstothecontrary,containsnoexplicit
condemnationofabortion,anddoesnotportraythekillingof
afetusasequivalenttothekillingofahumanbeing.In
Exodus21:2225,thecrimeofcausingawomanto
miscarryistreatedasapropertycrime,whereaskillingthe
womanisconsideredmurderandispunishedwiththedeath
penalty.[33]WhiletheCatholicandLutheranchurches
opposeabortion,moreoftheirmembersbelieveabortion
shouldbelegalinallormostcasesversusillegalinallor
mostcases(51%vs.45%,Lutheran48%vs.45%,
Catholic).[151]JoeBiden,47thUSVicePresident,statedin
Oct.2012that"Iacceptmychurchspositiononabortion...
ButIrefusetoimposeitonequallydevoutChristiansand
MuslimsandJews,andIjustrefusetoimposethaton
others..."[138]
Comment
Comment
Background:"ShouldAbortionBeLegal?"
Thedebateoverwhetherornotabortionshouldbealegaloptioncontinuestodivide
AmericanslongaftertheUSSupremeCourt's72decisiononRoev.Wade[49]
declaredtheprocedurea"fundamentalright"onJan.22,1973.
Proponents,identifyingthemselvesasprochoice,contendthatchoosingabortionisa
rightthatshouldnotbelimitedbygovernmentalorreligiousauthority,andwhich
outweighsanyrightclaimedforanembryoorfetus.Theysaythatpregnantwomenwill
resorttounsafeillegalabortionsifthereisnolegaloption.
(Clicktoenlargeimage)
Opponents,identifyingthemselvesasprolife,contendthatpersonhoodbeginsat
conception,andthereforeabortionistheimmoralkillingofaninnocenthumanbeing.
Theysayabortioninflictssufferingontheunbornchild,andthatitisunfairtoallow
Prochoiceandprolifedemonstratorsduringthe
2004Washington,DCMarchforWomen'sLives
protest
Source:DeclanMcCullaghPhotography,
www.mccullagh.org(accessedApr.1,2010)
abortionwhencoupleswhocannotbiologicallyconceivearewaitingtoadopt.
Variationsexistinargumentsonbothsidesofthedebate.Someprochoiceproponents
believeabortionshouldonlybeusedasalastresort,whileothersadvocateunrestricted
accesstoabortionservicesunderanycircumstance.Prolifepositionsrangefrom
opposingabortionunderanycircumstancetoacceptingitforsituationsofrape,incest,
orwhenawoman'slifeisatrisk.
ProChoiceandProLifeGroups
SomeprominentprochoiceorganizationsincludePlannedParenthood,NARALProChoiceAmerica,theNationalAbortionFederation,
theAmericanCivilLibertiesUnion(ACLU),andtheNationalOrganizationforWomen.Althoughmanyprolifepositionsderivefrom
religiousideology,severalmainstreamfaithgroupssupporttheprochoicemovement,suchastheUnitedMethodistChurch,United
ChurchofChrist,theEpiscopalChurch,PresbyterianChurch,andtheUnitarianUniversalistAssociation.The2012DemocraticParty
Platformendorsedtheprochoiceposition,stating,"TheDemocraticPartystronglyandunequivocallysupportsRoev.Wadeanda
womansrighttomakedecisionsregardingherpregnancy,includingasafeandlegalabortion,regardlessofabilitytopay.Weoppose
anyandalleffortstoweakenorunderminethatright."[55]However,31%ofDemocratsconsiderthemselvesprolife.[80]
SomeprominentprolifeorganizationsincludeTheNationalRighttoLifeCommittee,ProLifeActionLeague,OperationRescue,the
CatholicChurch,theEasternOrthodoxChurch,AmericansUnitedforLife,theNationalAssociationofEvangelicals,FamilyResearch
Council,ChristianCoalitionofAmerica,andtheChurchofJesusChristofLatterDaySaints(MormonChurch).[6]The2012
RepublicanPartyPlatformopposedabortion,stating,"Faithfultothe'selfevident'truthsenshrinedintheDeclarationofIndependence,
weassertthesanctityofhumanlifeandaffirmthattheunbornchildhasafundamentalindividualrighttolifewhichcannotbeinfringed."
[56]However,26%ofRepublicansareprochoice.[80]
PublicOpinion
InMay2014,Gallupreportedthat46%ofAmericansconsiderthemselvesprolifeand
47%saytheyareprochoice.[79]GallupalsofoundthatmoreAmericansthinkabortion
shouldbe"legalunderanycircumstances"(28%)thanthosewhowantabortiontobe
"illegalinallcircumstances"(21%).50%ofAmericanssayabortionshouldbe"legal
onlyundercertaincircumstances."[79]
InaGalluppolltakeninJan.2015,34%ofAmericanssaidtheyweresatisfiedwith
currentUSabortionpolicies,whichisthelowestlevelofsatisfactionin15yearsof
polling.MostdissatisfactionwasvoicedbyRepublicans,andtwiceasmanypeople
weredissatisfiedbecauseabortionlawsaretooloose(24%)thanthenumberofpeople
dissatisfiedbecauseabortionlawsweretoostrict(12%).[165]
InJan.2013,PewResearchfoundthatmostAmericans(63%)"saytheywouldnotlike
toseethecourtcompletelyoverturntheRoev.Wadedecision."29%wouldlikeRoev.
Wadetobeoverturned.[94]A2013PewResearchsurveyfoundthat70%ofpeople
whoattendreligiousservicesatleastonceaweeksayabortionismorallywrong,
comparedwithjust32%ofpeoplewhorarelyorneverattendservices.[2]
(Clicktoenlargeimage)
BobEnglehart's1981politicalcartoon"WhenDoes
LifeBegin?,"originallypublishedbyTheHartford
Courant
Source:"CartoonPlagiarismCaseOffersa
MetaphorfortheAbortionDebate,"
www.ideagrove.com,Nov.15,2005
AbortionProcedures
Surgicalabortion(akasuctioncurettageorvacuumcurettage)isthemostcommontypeofabortionprocedure.Itinvolvesusinga
suctiondevicetoremovethecontentsofapregnantwoman'suterus.Surgicalabortionperformedlaterinpregnancy(after1216weeks)
iscalledD&E(dilationandevacuation).[81][82]Thesecondmostcommonabortionprocedure,amedicalabortion(akaan"abortion
pill"),involvestakingmedications,usuallymifepristoneandmisoprostol(akaRU486),withinthefirstseventonineweeksof
pregnancytoinduceanabortion.[39]TheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)foundthat64.5%ofabortionsperformedin
2011wereperformedatorlessthan8weeksgestation,and91.4%wereperformedatorlessthan13weeksgestation.79.6%were
performedbysurgicalprocedure,while19.1%weremedicalabortions.[161]In2009,theaverageamountpaidbyUSwomenfora
surgicalabortionat10weeksgestationwas$451.Foramedicalabortion,theaverageamountpaidwas$483.[146]Abortionsperformed
inphysicians'officesaregenerallymoreexpensivethanthoseobtainedatanabortionclinic,andabortionsperformedlaterinpregnancy
areusuallymoreexpensivealso.Abortionsafter20weeksgestationcancostover$1,000.[147]
EarlyHistory
Abortiontechniquesweredevelopedasearlyas1550BC,whentheEgyptianmedicaltextEbersPapyrussuggestedthatthevaginal
insertionofplantfibercoveredwithhoneyandcrusheddatescouldinduceanabortion.Abortionwasanacceptedpracticeinancient
GreeceandRome.GreekphilosopherAristotle(384322B.C)wrotethat"...whencoupleshavechildreninexcess,letabortionbe
procuredbeforesenseandlifehavebegun..."[86]InthelatterdaysoftheRomanEmpire,abortionwasconsiderednotashomicidebut
asacrimeagainstahusbandwhowouldbedeprivedofapotentialchild.[87][86]
ThroughoutmuchofWesternhistory,abortionwasnotconsideredacriminalactaslongasitwasperformedbefore"quickening"(the
firstdetectablemovementofthefetus,whichcanoccurbetween1325weeksofpregnancy).[86][88]Americanstatesderivedtheir
initialabortionstatutesfromBritishcommonlaw,whichfollowedthisprinciple.[106]Untilatleasttheearly1800s,abortionprocedures
andmethodswerelegalandopenlyadvertisedthroughouttheUnitedStates.[89][91]Abortionwasunregulated,however,andoften
unsafe.[90]
In1821,Connecticutbecamethefirststatetocriminalizeabortion.Thestatebannedthesellingofanabortioninducingpoisonto
women,butitdidnotpunishthewomenwhotookthepoison.Legalconsequencesforwomenbeganin1845whenNewYork
criminalizedawoman'sparticipationinherabortion,whetherittookplacebeforeorafterquickening.[41]Inthemid1800s,earlyprolife
advocateDr.HoratioRobinsonStorer(18301922)convincedtheAmericanMedicalAssociationtojoinhimincampaigningforthe
outlawingofabortionnationwide.[92][90]Bytheearly1900s,moststateshadbannedabortion.By1965,all50stateshadoutlawed
abortion,withsomeexceptionsvaryingbystate.[42]
Themotivationbehindtheseearlyabortionlawshasbeendisputed.Somewritersargue
thatthelawswerenotaimedatpreservingthelivesofunbornchildren,butratherwere
intendedtoprotectwomenfromunsafeabortionprocedures[90],ortoallowthemedical
professiontotakeoverresponsibilityforwomen'shealthfromuntrainedpractitioners.
[86]Otherssaythatprolifeconcernswereinfactalreadyprevalentandwereamajor
influencebehindtheeffortstobanabortion.[93]
Roev.Wade
Federalactiononabortiondidn'toccuruntilRoev.Wade,whichdeclaredmoststate
antiabortionlawsunconstitutional.Thehighcourts72decisionestablishedrules
basedonapregnancytrimesterframework,banninglegislativeinterferenceinthefirst
trimesterofpregnancy(012weeks),allowingstatestoregulateabortionduringthe
secondtrimester(weeks1328)"inwaysthatarereasonablyrelatedtomaternal
health,"andallowingastateto"regulate,andevenproscribe"abortionduringthethird
trimester(weeks2940)"inpromotingitsinterestinthepotentialityofhumanlife,"
unlessanabortionisrequiredtopreservethelifeorhealthofthemother.[49][95]The
decisionalsoallowedstatestoprohibitabortionsperformedbyanyonewhoisnota
statelicensedphysician.[49]
TheinitialRoev.WadelawsuitwasfiledattheDallasfederaldistrictcourthouseon
Mar.3,1970bypregnantTexasresidentNormaMcCorvey,namedincourtdocuments
as"JaneRoe."HenryWade,DallasCountyDistrictAttorneyfrom1951to1987,was
Demonstratorsholdingprochoiceandprolifesigns
Source:"NewPewPollShowsSupportforLegal
thenameddefendant.McCorveywasseekingtoendherpregnancy,butabortionwas
AbortionDropstoLowestLevelin15Years,"
illegalinTexasexcepttosavethemother'slife.[96][97]McCorveysaidthepregnancy
LifeNews.com,Apr.29,2009
wastheresultofrape,butshelaterretractedthatclaim,admittingsheliedinthehope
ofincreasingherchancesofprocuringanabortion.Thebabywaseventuallydelivered
andgivenupforadoption.[123]McCorveylaterabandonedhersupportofabortionrights,becomingaprolifeactivistandanevangelical
Christianin1995.ShethenconvertedtoCatholicismandtookpartinsilentprayervigilsoutsideabortionclinics.[100]
(Clicktoenlargeimage)
FederalRegulation
ImmediatelyfollowingRoev.Wade,prolifeproponentspushedforfederallegislationthatwouldrestrictabortion.In1976,Congress
passedtheappropriationsbillfortheDepartmentsofLabor,Health,Education,andWelfare(nowtheDepartmentofHealthandHuman
Services)whichincludedanamendmentendingMedicaidfundingforabortions.Knownasthe"HydeAmendment,"thisprovision
banningfederalfundingforabortionshasbeenrenewedwithvariousrevisionseveryyearsinceitsinception.
AttheAug.1984UnitedNationsInternationalConferenceonPopulationheldinMexicoCity,Mexico,PresidentRonaldReagan
announcedtheMexicoCityPolicy,[60]whichrestrictedallnongovernmentalorganizationsfundedbytheUSAgencyforInternational
Development(USAID)fromperformingorpromotingabortionservices.PresidentBillClintonrescindedthepolicyonJan.22,1993,and
onJan.22,2001,PresidentGeorgeW.Bushreenactedit.OnJan.23,2009,PresidentBarackObamaissuedamemorandumagain
rescindingthepolicy,statingthatitsconditions"underminedeffortstopromotesafeand
effectivevoluntaryfamilyplanningprogramsinforeignnations."[61]
OnJune29,1992theUSSupremeCourtcasePlannedParenthoodofSoutheastern
Pennsylvaniav.Casey[57](54)upheldtheconstitutionalrighttohaveanabortion,but
itabandonedthe"rigidtrimesterframework"outlinedinRoev.Wadeandadopteda
lessrestrictivestandardforstateregulations.Thedecisionallowedstatestoimpose
waitingperiodsbeforeawomancanobtainanabortion,allowedsomelegislative
interferenceinthefirsttrimesterintheinterests'ofawoman'shealth,andpermitted
parentalconsentrequirementsforminorsseekingabortions.[107]TheCourtruledthat
noneoftheseconditionsimposedan"undueburden"uponwomenseekingabortions,
butsomeprochoiceadvocateswarnedthatRoev.Wadehadbeensignificantly
weakenedandthatstateswouldlimitabortionaccess.[108][109]
(Clicktoenlargeimage)
OnNov.5,2003,afterpassingintheUSHouseofRepresentatives(281142)andthe
Acoathangerisafrequentlyusedsymbolfor
USSenate(6434),thePartialBirthAbortionBanActof2003[58]wassignedintolaw
abortionrights
byPresidentGeorgeW.Bush.Thisfederallegislationbannedphysiciansfromproviding Source:"Celebrating25YearsofDecriminalized
intactdilationandextraction(aka"partialbirth"abortion),alateterm(after21weeks
AbortioninCanada,genderfocus.com,Jan.26,
2013
gestation)methodwhichaccountedfor0.17%ofabortionproceduresin2000.[43]The
actdefinesa"partialbirthabortion"as"anabortioninwhichthe[provider]deliberately
andintentionallyvaginallydeliversalivingfetusuntil...theentirefetalheadisoutsidethebodyofthemother,or...anypartofthefetal
trunkpastthenavelisoutsidethebodyofthemother,forthepurposeofperforminganovertactthatthepersonknowswillkillthe
partiallydeliveredlivingfetus."ProchoiceadvocateschallengedtheconstitutionalityofthePartialBirthAbortionBanActof2003
however,theApr.18,2007USSupremeCourtcaseGonzalesv.Carhart/Gonzalesv.PlannedParenthood[59]upheldtheact,ruling5
4thatitdidnotimpose"anundueburdenonawoman'srighttoabortion."
Thetopicofabortionwasraisedduringthe20092010USCongresshealthcaredebate.SomeprolifeadvocatessaidthePatient
ProtectionandAffordableCareActwouldallowfederalfundingforabortions,aclaimdeniedbyabortionrightssupporters.Toensure
passageofthebill,PresidentObamasignedanexecutiveorder"toestablishanadequateenforcementmechanismtoensurethat
Federalfundsarenotusedforabortionservices,"reaffirmingHydeAmendmentrestrictionsandextendingthemtocoverthenewly
createdhealthinsuranceexchanges.[63]
StateRestrictions
Staterestrictionsonabortionaccessincreasedsharplyafterthe2010midtermelections,inwhichRepublicansgainedatleast675
statelegislativeseats,thebiggestgainmadebyanypartyinstatelegislaturessince1938.[162]Thenumberofnewrestrictionsrose
from23in2010to92in2011,andmorerestrictions(205)wereenactedbetween2011and2013thanwereadoptedduringthewhole
previousdecade(189between2001and2010).[103][104][105]In2014,statesenacted26newrestrictions.[163]AsofJan.2015,57%of
womenliveinstatestheGuttmacherInstituteconsiderseither"hostile"or"extremelyhostile"toabortionrights,basedonthenumberof
restrictionstheyimpose(fourorfivekindsofrestrictionsequals"hostile,"whilesixormoreequals"extremelyhostile.")[163]
OnApr.13,2010,Nebraska'sRepublicanGovernorDaveHeinemansignedalaw
banningabortionsatorafter20weeksgestationonthetheorythatafetuscanfeelpain
bythattime.ThelawwasthefirstintheUnitedStatestorestrictabortionsbasedon
fetalpain.[47]AfterNebraska'slawwaspassed,severalotherstatesenactedsimilar
laws.[101]OnMar.6,2013,Idaho'sfetalpainlawwasthefirsttobestruckdownbya
federalcourt.OnJan.13,2014,theUSSupremeCourtdeclinedtoreviewasimilar
rulingmadeagainstArizona'sfetalpainlaw.[102]
(Clicktoenlargeimage)
Antiabortionsignandwoodencrossesplaced
outsidetheWholeWoman'sHealthabortion
providerinMcAllen,TX
Source:"AntiAbortionGroupsPushNewRoundof
OnApr.27,2010,theOklahomalegislaturesignedalawrequiringpregnantwomen
seekinganabortiontoundergoanultrasoundandlistentoadetaileddescriptionofthe
fetus'sheart,limbs,andorgans.Whileotherstateshadpassedlawsrequiringwomen
toundergoanultrasoundbeforehavinganabortion,Oklahoma'slawwasthefirstthat
requiredwomentowatchthemonitorandlistentoadetaileddescriptionofthefetus.
[48]
OnMar.29,2011,Arizonabecamethefirststatetocriminalizeabortionsbasedonthe
sexorraceofafetus.Thebill,signedintolawbyRepublicanGovernorJanBrewer,
wasopposedbyDemocrats,whosaidtherewaslittleevidencethatsexorrace
selectionabortionsweretakingplaceinthestate.[64]InMar.2013,NorthDakotaoutlawedabortionsasearlyassixweeksaftera
woman'slastmenstrualperiod,whenafetalheartbeatcanfirstbedetected.Likeseveralotherstateabortionlaws,theNorthDakota
lawhasbeenstayedbyafederaljudge,pendingappeals.[110]
AbortionRulesinTexas,"nytimes.com,Nov.22,
2012
AsofMar.27,2014,onethirdofTexas'abortionclinicswereforcedtoclosefollowingtheenactmentofacontroversial2013Texaslaw
thatrequiresdoctorsperformingabortionstohavehospitaladmittingprivileges,amongotherrestrictions.Sixabortionproviderswere
expectedtoremainopeninTexasbytheendof2014,downfrom36beforethelawwaspassed.TheTexaslawgainedextramedia
attentionwhenstateSenatorWendyDavis(D)triedunsuccessfullytoblockthebillwithan11hourfilibusterinJune2013.[111][112]
AbortionStatistics
FromRoev.Wadethrough2011,nearly53millionlegalabortionswereperformedintheUnitedStatesanaverageofabout1.4million
abortionsperyear.[84]Oneoutoffivepregnancies(excludingmiscarriages)endinabortion,andeachyear1.7%ofwomenaged1544
haveanabortion.At2008abortionrates,oneintenUSwomenwillhaveanabortionbeforeage20,oneinfourby30,andthreeinten
by45.18%ofwomenhavinganabortionareteenagers,whilemostwomenhavingabortionsareintheir20s:33%aged2024and24%
aged2529.[13]TheUSabortionratefell29%between1990and2005,from27.4to19.4abortionsper1,000womenofchildbearing
age,beforelevelingoutfrom20052008,accordingtoaMar.2011GuttmacherInstitutestudy.[65]Between2008and2011,theabortion
ratedroppedagainby13%toitslowestpointsince1973:17abortionsforevery1,000women.Prochoicesupporterscreditedan
increaseduseofnewbirthcontrolmethodssuchasMirena(anintrauterinedevicethatcanlastforseveralyears)asoneofthe
reasonsforthedecline.Prolifegroupscreditedanincreaseinantiabortionlawsatthestatelevelamongstotherfactors,although
abortionratesdroppedfasterthanthenationalaverageinsomestatesthathadnotenactedabortionrestrictions,suchasIllinois,where
theratedroppedby18%.[13][85][121]
Therewere1,720abortionprovidersand839abortionclinics(facilitieswhere50%or
morepatientvisitsareforabortionservices)intheUnitedStatesin2011.However,
89%ofUScountiesdidnotprovideabortionservices,with38%ofwomenlivingin
thosecounties.[124]From2011to2013,atleast73abortionclinicsclosed.Abouthalf
ofthoseclinicswereforcedtocloseasaresultofnewstatelawsrestrictingabortion,
accordingtoBloombergBusinessweek.[125]However,thenumberofabortionproviders
hasbeendecliningsince1984,afteritreachedapeakof2,908providersin1982.Pro
choiceadvocatesbelieveincreasedclinicviolencehascontributedtothisdownward
trend.AccordingtotheNationalAbortionFederation,aprofessionalassociationof
abortionpractitioners,atleast222arsonattacks/bombingswerecommittedagainst
abortionprovidersbetween1977and2012,withatleastanother99attemptedarson
attacks/bombings.Additionally,atleasteightabortionprovidersweremurderedduring
thattimeandtherewereatleast17attemptedmurdersofclinicstaffandphysicians.
[99]Mainstreamprolifeleadersandorganizationshavepubliclydenouncedviolence
committedagainstabortionprovidersandclinics.[98]
(Clicktoenlargeimage)
TheworldsabortionlawsasofSep.2011
Source:CenterforReproductiveRights,
www.reproductiverights.org,Sep.2011
VideoGallery
CBSEveningNewsbroadcasthostedbyWalterCronkite,
reportingontheRoev.Wadedecision.
Source:"1973CBSEveningNewswithWalterCronkite(1/22/73),"
YouTube.com,Jan.22,1973
PBSNewsHourreportontheincreaseinstateabortionrestrictions,
featuringadebatebetweenCharmaineYoest,Presidentof
AmericansUnitedforLife,andIlyseHogue,PresidentandCEOofNARALPro
ChoiceAmerica.
Source:"FiveStatesMovetoRestrictAccesstoAbortionServices,"YouTube.com,
Apr.30,2013
NARALProChoiceAmericavideocommemoratingthe
AbortioncommentaryfromBritHume,SeniorPoliticalAnalystforFOXNews
organization's40thanniversaryandreaffirmingsupportforRoev.
Channel,ontheprogramSpecialReport.
Wade.
Source:"HumeReflectsonthe41stAnniversaryofRoev.Wade,"video.foxnews.com,
Source:"40YearsofNARALProChoiceAmerica,"YouTube.com
Jan.22,2014
(accessedJune1,2011)
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