The many sides of abortion issue in poland

The Many Sides of the Abortion Issue
in Poland

Like every aspect of human life, abortion is a fervently debated issue. Encarta Encyclopedia defines abortion as: “An abortion is the termination of pregnancy before birth, resulting in, or accompanied by, the death of the fetus”. Abortion is not a modern moral dilemma, contrary to what a lot of people think. In Greek and Roman culture it was accepted as a part of life and a method of birth control. In ancient Greece, the famous philosopher, Hippocrates was against abortion. He said: “I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion” (“The Hippocratic Oath”, par.3). However, according to Roman law, an embryo had no legal right and it could be destroyed until accepted by the head of family (“Abortion and the Early Christian Church”, p.4). In modern life, there are two main social groups who argue over abortion. People who are pro-life claim that killing a foetus or embryo is like murdering a person and every human has the right to live. On the other hand, pro-choice individuals argue that abortion is an issue of personal freedom and woman has the right to control their bodies. There have always been different views concerning the ethical and the social acceptability of abortion. In Poland, abortion is illegal and is considered
to be morally wrong but in some cases it should be acceptable and legal.

Legally or illegally, abortion is practiced in almost every country in the world. Currently, over 60 % of the world's population lives in countries where abortion is permitted for medical and social reasons (“World Abortion Laws 2008 Fact Sheet”). Globally, of a total of 46 million abortions each year, 20 million are illegal, according to the World Health Organisation. What is most striking about these studies of abortion around the world is that 93% of all abortions occur for social reasons i.e. the child is unwanted or inconvenient; 7% of all abortions occur because of rape or mother’s or child’s health problems (“Abortion Facts”, par.10 ). According to Poland’s anti-abortion law adopted in 1993, abortion is only allowed if a woman is raped, the pregnancy threatens her life or if the fetus is damaged. Breaking the law by anybody threatens to two years in prison, except for the woman herself who cannot be punished. ("Law on family planning, protection of the human fetus and conditions for legal abortion"). Statistics show that about 499 legal abortions occurred in Poland in 2008 but in fact the number of illegal abortions may exceed 150 000 with no control over their quality (“Report on Abortion in 2008”). That is why issue of abortion stirs up numerous controversies and split Polish society and politicians over pro - life and pro - choice supporters.

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According to the Public Opinion Research Centre 45 % of Polish society claim that abortion should not be legal . These people are called "pro-life advocates". They support the life of the baby over the woman's right to choose. Groups such as The Polish Association for the Protection of Human Life, Students Pro-life and many others support the right of human life. There are a number of reasons why pro-life individuals do not support abortion. First of all, abortion is considered murder of unborn, innocent child. According to Professor Bogdan Chazan, obstetrics and gynecology specialist, from the time of conception the embryo is a live human being and it has right to life. What is more, when a woman decides to abort a child, in the instance of rape and incest, she punishes the unborn baby instead perpetrator. Adoption regarded as an alternative to abortion would give the child its right to life. There are many people who cannot have child on their own and are eager to adopt a child and provide it with a loving home.

The second side to the debate is pro-choice. In Poland it is about 47% of population. It is a groups of people like Polish Feminists Association (PFA) or that claim that
“a woman should have complete right over her fertility” (“Arguments for Pro Choice Abortions”, par.4). It means that embryo is considered to have no right. The main
argument of "pro-choice" advocates is that women should be in control of
their own bodies and lives and have a legal way of doing so. Carlton Veazey, President, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, is pro-choice supporter and he claims that “you [woman] are responsible for your decisions, but God has given you that
responsibility, that option to make decisions” (“Pro-Choice Does Not Mean Pro-Abortion”). Another important pro choice argument is that rape or incest is painful for a woman. Forcing woman to bear the child can have harmful impact to her psyche. It should be remembered that being pro-choice does not mean being pro-abortion. Pro-choice position is based on respect for human life, including potential life and existing life. And that's an important distinction.

Polish abortion law is regarded as one of the most restrictive in Europe and it results in the existence of illegal abortions performed by means of "abortion underground" and "abortion tourism". (“The Effects of the Anti-Abortion Law” par.2, 5). Indirect evidence of an existing of this type of services appears inn the local newspapers in gynaecologists’ announcements like: “Gynaecologist: full service”, “Bringing back your period”
or "Gynaecologists - absolutely everything" (“Poland’s pro-choice movement”, “The Effects of the Anti-Abortion Law”). Illegal abortion in Poland is available for 2000 - 3000 zlotys in private surgeries as well as the tablet RU-486 that can be bought on the black market for 200- 500 zl. Recently, the most popular ‘contraception’ is the tablet Arthrotec. Usually, Arthrotec is used for treating signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis (“Medications and Drugs”); but in fact, the tablets are used by girls as a abortifacient and are easily available on the internet for about 20 zlotys. “Abortion tourism” is also very developed. Thousands of Polish women use private agencies which arrange abortion trips abroad. Typically, woman travel to Ukraine, Russia, Czech Republic or Slovakia because of the cost of abortion is low($200) but conditions are bad and women often suffer medical complications. Woman also decides to go to Germany or Holland but cost of abortion is higher ( $400 – $1300) and depends on advancement of pregnancy (“The Effects of the Anti-Abortion Law” par.6). Backstreet abortions in Poland are big business that existed in the past and will still exist.

However, every woman should be told that abortion brings with it many health complications, has an impact on their psyche and future life. Abortion is unethical and morally wrong but should be legal only in cases such as the threat of life of the mother or child, or rape. Abortion will always be a commonplace in society. Sometimes pregnancy happens because of lack of sexual education or because contraception failed; sometimes it occurs at the wrong time. There are various reasons why women choose to have the abortion. Other reasons for abortion cannot be justify because each person, however, has to take responsibility for their own actions and abortion should not be used as a
form of contraception. Women in difficult personal situation seek the termination
of unwanted pregnancy at all costs, apart from the fact that they break the law,
often risking their health or life. But when that happened that a woman is in a crisis situation and she is not able to raise a child she can choose adoption or leave a child in a baby hatch to safe new life. What is more, abortion should be no longer a taboo subject. If people
dare to discuss openly the matter it can bring only advantages because teenagers
would be told the facts of life, they would know contraceptive methods and possible
result in having sex. Unfortunately, it will take time before people start talking
about sex, pregnancy and abortion without obstacles and difficulties.

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