Suction Aspiration: Also called "vacuum aspiration".)
This is the most commonly used method of abortion. This is when a tube is inserted through the cervix into the uterus and connected to a strong suction apparatus. The embryo or foetus and the placenta are torn to pieces and sucked out into a jar. Although the baby is extremely small, body parts are often easily identified. Sometimes this method follows a D & C. Possible complications include bleeding, infection, and perforation of the uterus.
The UK's abortion law
Before the abortion act of 1967 was passed abortion in Britain was a crime, and in Ireland and other countries it still is illegal. In Britain abortion was a crime under the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861. The abortion act of 1967 was originally brought forward by Liberal MP David Steel, although the act was amended in 1990.
Abortion is legal in the UK up to the 24th week of pregnancy. However, if there is a substantial risk to the woman's life or if there are foetal abnormalities there is no time limit.
To comply with the 1967 Abortion Act, two doctors must give their consent, stating that to continue with the pregnancy would present a risk to the physical or mental health of the woman or her existing children.
However, the 1967 Act does not extend to Northern Ireland, where abortion is still illegal.
Abortion is something that everyone needs to take seriously. There are many thoughts and reasons why women think they want to have an abortion, but they need to think about if that is what they really want for sure before abortion takes place. There are many different reasons why women should have an abortion.
Very often a woman turns to abortion as sometimes a first or last resort. She may be pregnant either out of wedlock or a stable relationship and society tends to look down on single parents. Financial stability is a big issue and may present a problem to the mother. Abnormalities in the foetus may cause concern for the mother, as she may not be able to give 24hour care for her child. Rape victims that become pregnant often choose to abort the baby, as it would be too painful a reminder of such a degrading experience.
Aii) Explain what biblical and church teachings might be used in a discussion about abortion.
Genesis 1:26- 27
1:26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
We are also told about the creation of human beings. The message of the story is that our life, and our creation, is sacred. We are made in the image and likeness of God, we have god in us. The teachings of the Catholic Church are that the life of every human being must be respected from the first moment of life.
Psalm 139:13-14
You created my inmost self, knit me together in my mother’s womb. For so many marvels I thank you: a wonder am I, and all your works are wonders.
This passage means that God created each and every one of us uniquely. He gave us our personal feelings and individual characters by creating our inmost beings. Therefore, abortion takes apart God’s creation in a physical and emotional way; it rejects God’s love and his plans for us.
1 Corinthians 3: 16-17
Do you not realise that you are a temple of god with the spirit of god living in you? If anyone should destroy the temple of god, God will destroy that person, because god’s temple is holy and you are that temple.
This means that each one of us should respect not only our bodies but everyone’s bodies as we all contain the spirit of God inside us.
Exodus 20:13
Thou shall not kill
The simple fact that god has demanded not to kill any life, is reason enough for us to respect life, as it is sacred and holy. Therefore, if abortion is the deliberate removal of life from the womb it is considered murder, which means it is a direct violation of one of the 10 commandments.
Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born I selected you to be a prophet to the nations
Children are a sign of God’s love for us as he has blessed families with children, it also shows his desire to see his kingdom grow. The bible presents abortion as morally and religiously wrong.
There are many Christian denominations and even though there are slight differences between them, there is no Christian faith that actually supports abortion. The Catholic Church is the only major world religion that condemns abortion and sees it as a serious sin.
The church of England is similar to the Catholic Church as they both see abortion as wrong, however, they accept that there are situations in which abortion can be granted. An example of this would be if the mother’s health was at serious risk. The church of England see the needs and wants of the mother as more important than those of the unborn child, although they have certain terms in the acceptability of abortion:
- Abortion should take place early.
To terminate the foetus before it starts to develop recognisable body parts.
- The mother must have seriously thought out and considered her actions and consequences that may occur
As the mother may not be able to cope the emotional repercussions.
- Handicap is only justified if the child is likely to die at birth or very shortly afterwards.
As it will be difficult to cope after the death of the child.
Free churches such as Baptists, Methodists and Evangelists etc. have a completely different view on abortion. They believe the final decision is down to the mother. Methodist’s take into consideration the social and personal issues of the mother however, they strongly advise abortion as a last resort.
B. Explain how Christians might put their beliefs about abortion into practice
Christians believe that God is the giver of life and is the only one with the divine right to take it away. As life is so sacred and precious we should do all we can to preserve it. However some churches make slight exceptions depending on the circumstances.
The main argument of abortion comes from the protection of life, but when does life actually begin? The Catholic Church believe life starts at the moment of conception, whilst others believe life begins when the baby’s heart begins to beat which is during the third week. Others see the twentieth week as the start of life as the foetus weighs 1lb and is progressing closely towards the actual appearance of a baby.
An amazing fact is that the baby’s sex, hair colour and fingerprints everything that makes who we are is determined there and then at the moment of conception then surely life should begin at the moment. The Catholic Church believes that abortion should never be seen as a method of birth control.
There are two main Christian organisations that campaign against abortion, Life and SPUC (The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children). Life concentrates on counselling pregnant mothers or women that think they are pregnant. They give advice about financial support you can receive from the Government and local parishes. They try and show the mothers the positive outcome of their pregnancies.
SPUC believe in the more direct method by raising petitions to abolish abortion, speaking to politicians about their cause.
A Doctor’s main principle is to do everything in their power to try and save lives. It may be difficult for them as they might be saving the mother but having to destroy a possible life.
Priests or Ministers would strongly suggest against an abortion and provide a woman who is contemplating abortion other positive methods. Adoption would be a popular alternative as the mother would still be providing a child to perhaps a couple that cannot have children. This way a family will be formed and the child would be loved and cared for than if it were to be raised by its real mother.
C) “Abortion is never justified” Do you agree?
People who disagree with this statement and believe that abortion is not murdering a child are often known as Pro choicers. They believe that in certain circumstances the life of the child is less important than the life and sometimes the wishes of the mother. They believe a woman should be able to decide whether or not to have a baby. This view does not have any direct support from the bible. Religious groups however have supported this view. The Catholic Church and the Church of England both agree that a mother should not have to risk her life to have a baby. The free Churches also share this view. However the views split.
However, a young woman in similar situation may be supported. Take for example a young girl who got pregnant accidentally, and does not have the support of the father. The church may have a softer view of this situation, as the child may not be properly cared for and the mother’s health may be compromised. However the Catholic Church are very unlikely to support someone in this situation.
There is one point where all the churches share the same view. If the mother to be is pregnant as a result from forced intercourse, rape. Catholics are the only ones that agree that an abortion is the lesser of two evils. To give birth to the child may not aid the mental health of the mother after she has been raped. Just seeing the child will remind her of her ordeal. The Catholic church believe that adoption is a more suitable solution in this situation, as there are couples unable to have a family, who would be very grateful. I do not agree with this however, as the victim of the rape has all ready suffered, and should not have to give birth or carry for nine moths, a child that she does not want. This one case where I strongly disagree with the statement. I believe in this situation an abortion is an acceptable solution.
My view however is not shared by everyone, and this is understandable. Many Pro lifers (Anti abortionists) believe that a foetus should never be killed or stopped being born, as it is either God’s will or cruel to the potential child. I respect this view but cannot really understand why people take it. An abortion is hardly cruel to an unborn as it cannot yet feel pain. Would it not be crueller to allow the birth of the child into a life where it would be beaten? The conception of a child being Gods will is easier for me to appreciate, as I can understand that deeply religious people regard their specific texts and teachings to be the up most truth. These texts may contain the wishes of God, however no one can make a certain decision on this.
To conclude my essay I would like to express my view in a greater detail. I believe that abortion is acceptable and can be justified in some situations. When an abortion is requested, I believe a balanced viewed body should evaluate the reasons for the abortion. They should also consider the possible outcomes of the situation, if an abortion takes place, and if it does not.
I do not believe an abortion should be granted to someone who only has themselves in mind. For example if a woman wishes to have an abortion because she is soon to be starting a new job, I believe she should be denied. I disagree with some people who believe that abortion is simply a last chance contraceptive. To sum up my argument I would say that abortion can be justified, but as each situation will be slightly different, the views, procedures and consequences should be carefully scrutinised beforehand.
