Introduction
The subject of abortion has generated extensive controversy and discourse in multiple fields, such as morality, biology, ethics, law, philosophy, and religion. These topics are interconnected with societal beliefs and involve discussions about governmental power, women's rights, and the rights of unborn individuals.
Debates on abortion, whether private or public, often center around limitations and moral justifications for induced abortions. These discussions also aim to validate laws allowing abortion (Stray-Pedersen et al., 140-146). The World Medical Association recognizes the ethical dilemma arising from conflicts between the well-being of the unborn and that of the mother. Consequently, there are frequent discussions about the necessity of intentional termination of pregnancy. These discussions are typically led by groups advocating for stricter legal limitations like a complete ban, who identify as pro-life; or opposing such restrictions
...and identifying as pro-choice.
The previous argument claims that a human foetus is considered a person with the right to life, making abortion morally comparable to murder. Conversely, the opposing perspective supports a woman's autonomy in choosing her reproductive options, including whether or not to carry a foetus to full term. Presently, abortion laws vary globally due to moral, cultural, and religious factors. The discussion surrounding abortion frequently centers on human rights such as freedom, reproductive health, personal safety, and the right to life. These elements are employed to rationalize whether regulations on abortion should exist.
In countries with abortion laws, specific conditions must be met for a woman to have a safe and legal abortion. Feticide refers to an abortion without the woman's consent. These requirements typically depend on the pregnancy stage and fetus age. Many countries use trimesters to determine abortion legality, while the
United States relies on a doctor's assessment of fetal viability. Some places may also mandate a waiting period, provide fetal development information, or require parental consent for minors seeking abortions. In certain cases, the father's approval may also be required. Furthermore, abortion providers must inform women about both known and unknown health risks associated with the procedure.
Although many medical establishments acknowledge the social or medical importance of abortion, restrictions are relaxed in emergency situations. The one-child policy in China serves as an illustration where mandatory abortions have been employed to control population growth. However, certain areas have enforced almost complete prohibitions on abortion.
Legal abortions are allowed in certain situations in many places, such as cases of incest or rape, fetal abnormalities, risks to the woman's mental or physical health, or challenging socioeconomic factors for childbirth. However, there has been an increase in maternal deaths resulting from complications during pregnancy in countries like Nicaragua that completely prohibit abortion. This is partly due to doctors' fear of prosecution for treating it as a gynecological emergency (Stray-Pedersen et al 140-146). Despite Bangladesh officially outlawing abortion, they still have clinics that provide abortions under the guise of menstrual sanitation. In regions where abortion is highly stigmatized or illegal, pregnant women may travel to other states where abortion is permitted and seek the procedure through medical tourism.
For women who cannot afford medical tourism, there are limited options available for seeking an abortion. Some may turn to illegal providers, while others may try self-abortion. The advancement of technology like amniocentesis and sonography now enables the determination of fetal sex before birth. Unfortunately, this progress has led to a troubling trend where
fetuses are selectively aborted based on their sex, with female fetuses being the most common victims of termination. This practice significantly contributes to the unequal birth ratios between males and females in certain countries. The preference for male babies is particularly evident in several parts of Asia, where instances of using abortion as a means to control female births have been observed in India, China, Taiwan, and South Korea.
Despite efforts to ban sex-selective termination, some countries still have imbalanced birth ratios of females and males. China has seen a rise in the preference for male babies as a result of the one-child policy implemented in 1979 (Thomson Jarvis 39-54). However, several nations have enacted laws to reduce instances of sex-selective termination. During the International Conference on Population and Development in 1994, more than 180 countries agreed to eliminate discrimination against female children and address the underlying causes of favoring male children. This commitment was also acknowledged in a PACE declaration in 2011. Research conducted by UNICEF, the World Health Organisation, and other United Nations agencies indicates that efforts aimed at reducing gender inequality are more effective in decreasing sex-selective termination compared to restricting access to abortion facilities or abortion itself.
Acts of violence committed against abortion providers and facilities, including attempted murder, kidnapping, assault, murder, stalking, bombing, and arson, are regrettably prevalent. According to academic and governmental sources (Stephenson ; A. G. 253-279), these acts of violence are classified as a form of terrorism.
A small percentage of individuals who oppose abortion have committed acts of violence. This includes the killings of four doctors (David Gunn in 1993, John Britton in 1994, Barnett Slepian in 1998, and
George Tiller in 2009) who performed abortions. Other staff members at abortion clinics, such as security guards and receptionists (like Lee Ann Nichols, James Barrett, Robert Sanderson, and Shannon Lowney), have also been murdered. Additionally, there have been attempted homicides in Canada and the US, as well as numerous incidents involving arson, vandalism, bombings, acid attacks, and invasions targeting abortion providers.
Scott Roeder, Eric Robert Rudolph, Paul Jennings Hill, and Shelley Shannon are notorious offenders who have displayed extreme anti-abortion sentiments. They were the first individuals in the United States to be killed for murdering an abortion provider. The legal defense of the right to have an abortion has not yet been established in certain countries where abortion is illegal (Stephenson ; A. G., 253-279). These laws aim to protect abortion clinics from acts of vandalism, picketing, obstruction, and other actions that may be harmful. Additionally, these laws seek to safeguard the employees of these establishments and women seeking abortions from harassment and threats.
Mental pressure is far more prevalent than physical harm. In 2003, Chris Danze led the establishment of pro-life groups throughout Texas in order to prevent the construction of a Planned Parenthood facility in Austin. These organizations released personal information of those involved in the project online, made up to 1150 phone calls daily, and contacted their places of worship. Certain activists also documented the entrance of women into hospitals on camera.
Spontaneous abortion can occur in various animals. In ewes, it may be triggered by flocking through doorways or being chased by dogs. Cows can experience abortion due to contagious diseases like Campylobacter or Brucellosis, but vaccination is often effective in controlling it. Consumption
of pine barbs can also induce abortions in cows. On a global scale, approximately 55 million abortions occur annually, with slightly less than half being performed unsafely. Abortion rates have shown fluctuations between 2003 and 2008 but have generally decreased over the past two decades as a result of increased availability and usage of birth control methods and family planning.
Around 40% of women worldwide had unrestricted access to legal abortions in 2008. While different countries impose various restrictions on abortion during gestation, there is substantial evidence advocating for extreme measures in certain cases. Rather than implementing a complete prohibition, it is crucial to adopt a balanced approach that addresses critical situations requiring abortion. Recognizing the historical context, abortions have been performed using diverse methods including sharp objects, forceful techniques, herbal remedies, and traditional practices.
Despite the differing laws and beliefs surrounding abortion, it should only be legalized in specific cases such as incest, fetal abnormalities, poverty, maternal health risks, and cases of rape. There are debates on ethical, legal, and moral issues concerning abortion in various places. Some opponents argue that a fetus or embryo is a human being with the right to life and compare abortion to homicide. On the other hand, proponents argue that women have the right to make decisions about their own bodies.
Work Cited
- Thomson, Judith Jarvis. "A defense of abortion." Biomedical ethics and the law. Springer US, 1976. 39-54.
- Stephenson, A. G. "Flower and fruit abortion: proximate causes and ultimate functions." Annual review of ecology and systematics 12 (1981): 253-279.
- Stray-Pedersen, Babill, and Sverre
Stray-Pedersen. "Etiologic factors and subsequent reproductive performance in 195 couples with a prior history of habitual abortion." American journal of obstetrics and gynecology 148.2 (1984): 140-146.
