Abortion-Against Essay, Research Paper
In 1973, through the ruling of Roe vs. Wade, abortion was made constitutionally legal for all women in the United States. Since then, our country has been divided
on this issue. The statement, ?I?d like young women to understand that abortion is not the ultimate answer. The answer is in counseling and Christian fellowship?
(qtd. in Wood 43), was made by Norma McCorvey ?Roe? of the Roe vs. Wade judgment. McCorvey fought for the right to have an abortion. She was victorious
which led to legalized abortion in the United States. She deeply regrets that decision and now lectures against abortion.
Moreover, some say that the choice of having an abortion should exclusively be the woman?s decision, therefore it should be legal, while others say that it is the murdering of an innocent life and should be outlawed. The latter is the appropriate decision. The only exception that should be considered is that the survival of the mother or baby is not guaranteed. If the mother or child have no chance of survival, an abortion should be an option for the pregnant woman.
Consequently, the major debate amongst the opposing sides is the definition of life, or when a human life begins. Pro-choice, or pro-abortion debaters say that only when a baby is born, it begins life as a human. The opposing pro-life view
believes that human life begins at conception, when the egg is fertilized by the sperm. According to science, once the egg is fertilized every characteristic of a brand-new human being is existent, even the color of the eyes, hair, the sex and everything else. There is truth in the statement, ?Pregnancy is the period for this new human life to mature, not to become ?human?…it already is.?
(McDonagh 92). Abortion is the the destruction of an unborn baby. Women know that what grows inside of them is not just a group of cells. They know from the
beginning what is inside. Women grieve when miscarriages occur because of the loss of a baby, a human life. The loss of that life has a very negative emotional affect on these individuals, and is not merely considered an inanimate object.
Overwhelmingly, every 20 seconds an abortion is performed. According to statistics reported from the Detroit Free Press, more than 32 million abortions have been performed from 1973 to 1995. 1.4 million women have abortions each year. Nearly half of all American women will have had at least one abortion by age 45 (Elrick B2). This number will only increase. Therefore, abortion is a common occurrence. This proves that abortions aren?t only done for emergency purposes because this number is excessively high.
Of course, abortions are justified for many reasons. ?79% of women have abortions because of the concern of how a baby would drastically change their
lives or because they are having relationship problems or want to avoid being a single parent. 13% of abortions take place because of the health of the fetus, 7% happen because of the health of the mother, and 1% happen because of rape? (Woman?s 20-22). This means that nearly 80% of the abortions are due to the
convenience of the situation.
Sometimes the health of the fetus is not life threatening. Some of the babies have conditions such as Down?s Syndrome or Spina Bifida. Individuals with
Down?s Syndrome can function well in society. Those with Spina Bifida are considered to be intelligent. There are waiting lists of families who want to adopt
seriously disabled babies with Down?s Syndrome or Spina Bifida. Figuratively speaking, around 85-90% of aborted babies are killed unnecessarily. There are
other options such as adoption for these unwanted babies.
Consequently, abortions are performed at different stages in a woman?s pregnancy. ?40% are performed in the 2, 3, and 4th trimesters? (Michels 176). This means that the fetus could be aborted at 23 weeks or almost 6 months. The especially heinous performance of abortions after 23 weeks are called partial-birth abortions. In this procedure, a doctor induces labor synthetically. The baby is turned in the uterus so it is born in a feet first, or breech position. When all but the head of the baby is exposed, the doctor takes a scissors-like tool and punctures the skull. The baby?s brains are then suctioned out. Finally, the dead baby is taken out
of the birth canal. It is said that these procedures are performed due to high health risks of the mothers and babies. Statistics have shown otherwise. Studies done by World Report Magazine have shown that only 10% of partial-birth abortions performed are due to life threatening illnesses on the mother?s or baby?s part (23).
Many individuals do not even consider that these unborn babies are yet human or alive. Studies have defied these ideas. According to statistics taken from Sanders, 15% of babies born at 22 weeks will survive, 25% born at 23 weeks will survive, 42% born at 24 weeks will survive, and 57% born at 25 weeks will
survive (13). All of these newborns require intensive care, but they still can survive. Since the child cannot survive on its own, is it justifiable to abort it? Does this mean that the child is not entitled to survive at all? In December of 1996 two young adults were given first degree murder sentences for fracturing the skull of their premature baby, which was forcibly born. What is the difference between
this baby and one that has been aborted through partial- birth?
The abortion issue is simply this; choosing between life and death. It is not
about being sensitive to the woman and her suffering, or even about the age of the
fetus. To me, pro-choice is about the baby and choosing whether he or she will
live or die. Logic tells us that this is what the issue is all about. This year,
1,190,000 babies will be aborted unnecessarily. We must make a decision on this
issue quickly. We must not let anymore innocent babies be killed.