- 97% of abortions are performed on healthy babies.
- Abortion is available up to 24 weeks (premature babies have survived at 22 weeks) and up to birth if the baby is disabled (harelip is sufficient disability).
- Recent statistics show that abortion figures have increased by 14%.
- Nearly 200,000 abortions are performed in England, Scotland and Wales each year.
- Roughly 42% of all baby girls are aborted, against only 25% of baby boys (Planned Parenthood data).
- Physical complications of legal abortion include cervical injury, 200% increased risk of miscarriage after two or more abortions, 160% increased risk of tubal pregnancy, increased risk of breast cancer, and decrease in fertility.
In addition, Pro-Life the anti-abortionists describe abortion as, “murder.” They believe that the fertilised egg is a human being which possesses a soul from the moment of conception. They claim that it has the right to life under all circumstances. They also believe abortion is an act of violence, which damages the mother and her unborn child. It is uncivilised and unjust in their eyes.
Furthermore, Pro-Life activists claim an alternative to abortion always exists no matter what the circumstances. They claim abortion is rarely necessary to save the life of the woman, and it causes women to suffer from post-abortion guilt and trauma. Moreover, abortion encourages brutality towards children and child abuse, and also abortion on grounds of foetal abnormality, encourages discrimination against disabled people.
Finally, in the campaigners’ minds, human life, “Is sacred, and is recognised by billions of adherents of the main world religions. God creates each unique individual at conception and so abortion is murder, and an act against the will of God that destroys God’s work.”
Statistics show that in England and Wales alone, 175,542 abortions were carried out in the year 2000. Scotland on the other hand had a lower rate of 11,993. Alarmingly in England and Wales 1,048 were on children under the age of 15years, compared to 93 in Scotland. The age range 20-24 years showed the highest rate of abortion in England and Wales, 47,099, Compared to 3,354 in Scotland.
Looking at the above statistics, I have to ask myself if the strong influence of the Roman Catholic Church, and its powerful institution, bear any relevance to these figures. Especially when in my research, I have read an article in the ABC World News, on the 11th of October 1999, which states that the Catholic Church in Scotland is paying a 12 yr old girl not to have an abortion, and she is being supported by the most senior Roman Catholic Cardinal. Thomas Winning.
The Roman Catholic Church is the only major world religion, to rule that abortion is absolutely unacceptable, in all circumstances, including the probable death of the mother.
From the earliest times the Church has condemned abortion. One of the earliest statements condemning abortion is in a document called the Didache, which was written in the 2nd century. It states, “You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish.” The teaching has been repeated through the centuries and as early as the 4th century the Church made abortion a crime, with its own proper penalties. The penalty for having or causing an abortion meant that the guilty party would be excommunicated, (cut off from the church).
The Roman Catholic Church teaches that human life begins at the moment of conception, and should be protected. From that moment, a unique life begins independent of the mother and father. In 1869 Pope Pius IX declared that, “ensoulment,” (gaining a soul) happened at conception, and Catholics have been taught abortion is always morally evil.
Similar moral arguments put forward by Churches, include the view of the Church of England, which holds the view that all human life is created by God, and should be nurtured, supported and protected. This principal applies to both the mother and the foetus. Therefore the Church recognises the need for a balance between compassion for the mother, and responsibility for the life of the foetus.
In opposition to the Roman Catholic Church, in 1983 the General Synod (the church council) for the Church of England, passed a resolution that recognised that, “In situations where the continuance of pregnancy threatens the life of the mother, a termination of pregnancy may be justified, and that there must be safe and adequate provision in our society for such situations.”
The Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu faiths, all share the same viewpoint that if the mother’s life is at risk then abortion may be allowed. Buddhists however, are free to act according to their own insights and understanding, at the same time Buddhism teaches that people should act responsibly.
Evidence suggests from public opinion polls carried out, that an overwhelming 93% of people agree that when the mother’s life is in danger, abortion should be allowed. 3% disapproved and 4% could not decide. Also 64% of British people agreed that abortion should be made legally available for those who want it. 25% disagree, 9% neither agree nor disagree and 2% didn’t know.
This evidence strongly suggests that the overwhelming majority of British people are in favour of legal abortion. In contrast to Pro-life campaigners, are the arguments from the opposition Pro-choice, who hold a similar view to the public opinion polls.
The Pro-choice supporters’ arguments stem directly from the viewpoint that, they see the fertilised egg as a potential life. This view is based on medical and scientific evidence that the foetus is not viable, which means it is not capable of independent life, in the early stages of pregnancy, and is still a part of the woman until that time. Therefore they believe artificially induced abortion is legally acceptable until about 24weeks.
In addition, they argue that it is a woman’s right to decide, in conjunction with the father when appropriate, whether she wishes to have a baby. It is her body and she should ultimately control what happens to it. It is people, not fertilised eggs and foetuses that have “Rights.”
Moreover, women are capable of making the right moral choices and can follow their own consciences. A pregnant woman understands her own personal circumstances better than anyone else, and so is in the best position to know whether she should, or should not, have a child. Bearing in mind that legal abortion is relatively safe, and is unlikely to cause harm, it is better than forcing her to have an unwanted child.
Furthermore, it is better for children to be born to parents who want and love them, rather than to have parents who offer no love at all. In many areas of the world where overpopulation and chronic food shortages are perennial problems, abortion helps prevent bringing children into the world who would probably only know deprivation, illness, starvation and early death.
Pro-choice argue that if abortion is not allowed on demand, women will go to, “Back street abortionists,” where lack of expertise and sterile conditions would be a serious risk to their health. It is estimated that approximately 500 deaths per day world wide would occur if the right to choose, an abortion was withdrawn.
World wide contraception is readily available and legal in Britain. Abortion is, in effect, no different it is the prevention of the development of a potential human being, which when compared to the purpose of the, “Morning after pill” the analogy is even closer. If we allow these measures, we should allow abortion.
Finally in the view of Pro-choice many young girls would have their future, education, family relationships and their career, ruined by the birth of a child. Others are pregnant as a result of rape or incest and would have their suffering multiplied by carrying the unwanted child. The activists state that we cannot put the alleged “Rights,” of a cluster of cells ahead of such concrete harm to a human being.
In addition to the above, public opinion still overwhelmingly supports the Pro-choice argument. A Harris opinion poll revealed that 77% of British people said, “Yes” when asked the question, “Should a pregnant woman be able to decide for herself whether to have an abortion, in the first three months of pregnancy?” 1,762 British adults were interviewed face to face for this poll, and slightly more women than men agreed: 81% of women and 72% of men.
In conclusion, after viewing very strong arguments from all sides, it is clear that certain unforeseen circumstances, affect the choice a mother feels she has to make. I feel it would be unfair of me to judge a woman’s decision to have an abortion, because I have never been in that situation.
Before I started researching this topic, I was of the opinion that every individual person with a justified reason, especially in the instance of rape, should have the right to choose. I am still of that opinion. Moreover, I also feel that babies are precious “Miracles” so why is murder accepted? My initial instinct tells me, that this is one argument that will never have a right or wrong answer; and I will continue to have mixed views about it.
Bibliography:
Library books:
Pros and cons by Trevor Satler
National statistics 2002 edition 138
The Abortion Issue by Craig Donnellan volume 34
The Abortion Debate by Richard Garlikov
Newspapers:
The Times and Sunday Times compact disc Edition dated 27th of April 1993
Observer dated 23rd of September 1990 by Brendan Martin
Independent dated 27th of April1993 by Ronald Dworkin
World Wide Web:
