Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy before birth.

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Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy before birth.  An abortion results in the death of the embryo or fetus and may be either spontaneous or induced.  In a spontaneous abortion, also called a miscarriage, the fetus passes from the woman's body.  Many spontaneous abortions result from natural causes.  In an induced abortion, the fetus is removed by artificial--usually medical--means.  For information on spontaneous abortion, see MISCARRIAGE.  

For years, abortion has been an extremely controversial subject.  One important aspect of the controversy is whether a woman should be permitted by law to have an abortion and, if so, under what circumstances.  Another is whether, and to what extent, laws should protect the unborn.  People who wish to legally limit or forbid abortions describe themselves as "pro-life."  Those who believe that a woman should have the right to have an abortion may refer to themselves as "pro-choice."  

Arguments against abortion are based on the belief that an abortion is the unjustified killing of an unborn child.  Most people who oppose abortion believe that human life begins when a sperm fertilizes an egg.  Another argument against abortion is that laws allowing it on demand will increase irresponsible pregnancies and lead to disrespect for human life.  The Roman Catholic Church is a chief opponent of abortion.  Conservative branches of other religions also oppose abortion.  

Arguments for abortion.  Many people approve of abortion under certain circumstances.  Some approve of abortion if a woman's life or health is endangered by her pregnancy.  Others recommend abortion when there is danger that the child will be born with a serious mental or physical defect.  They also approve of abortion when pregnancy has resulted from rape or incest.  

Many people who think that a woman should have the right to choose to have an abortion distinguish between human life and personhood.  They argue that personhood implies both the capacity for self-conscious thought and acceptance as a member of a social community.  These people believe a fetus is not a person and is thus not entitled to rights normally given to a person.  Such pro-choice supporters agree with the view that birth represents the beginning of personhood.  

Another pro-choice argument is that legalizing abortions has eliminated many illegal abortions performed by unskilled practitioners under unsanitary conditions.  These abortions often caused deaths and permanent reproductive injuries.  Abortion on demand also prevents many unwanted births and may thus be a factor in lowering infant and child abuse, neglect, and death rates.  Also, some argue that women should not have to bear unwanted children in a world of growing population and diminishing natural resources.  

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Abortion history.  Abortion has been widely known, practised, and debated since ancient times.  The ancient Hebrews had laws against abortion, but they permitted it in cases where the mother's life was at risk.  

The early Christian church generally opposed abortion.  For hundreds of years, however, a debate raged in the church on whether abortion might be justifiable before animation.  Christian theologians defined animation as the point at which a fetus received a soul.  According to church teachings, animation occurred between 40 to 80 days after conception.  From about the 1300's to the 1800's, abortion before animation became ...

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