Changes

The word '''abortion,''' in connection with pregnancy, can be defined as "Termination of pregnancy and expulsion of an embryo or of a fetus that is incapable of survival."<ref>American Heritage Dictionary definition, [http://www.bartleby.com/61/7/A0020700.html abortion]</ref> Thus, the word includes miscarriage, but commonly refers to ''induced'' abortion; that is, the intentional performance of procedure which causes the death of a living organism. Conservatives who regard human life as beginning at birth argue that this amounts to the murder of innocent babies while in the womb of their mother.

The word '''abortion,''' in connection with pregnancy, can be defined as "Termination of pregnancy and expulsion of an embryo or of a fetus that is incapable of survival."<ref>American Heritage Dictionary definition, [http://www.bartleby.com/61/7/A0020700.html abortion]</ref> Thus, the word includes miscarriage, but commonly refers to ''induced'' abortion; that is, the intentional performance of a procedure which causes the death of a living organism. Conservatives who regard human life as beginning at birth argue that this amounts to the murder of innocent babies while in the womb of their mother.

Abortion is a controversial topic in the United States. Prior to 1973 it was illegal, usually criminal, and considered to be serious medical misconduct. The [[The United States Supreme Court|Supreme Court]]'s 1973 [[Roe v. Wade]]<ref>Online text of [http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=CASE&court=US&vol=410&page=113 ROE v. WADE, 410 U.S. 113 (1973)]</ref> decision ruled that abortions are permissible, as a woman's choice, up to the point at which the fetus becomes able to survive outside the womb.

Abortion is a controversial topic in the United States. Prior to 1973 it was illegal, usually criminal, and considered to be serious medical misconduct. The [[The United States Supreme Court|Supreme Court]]'s 1973 [[Roe v. Wade]]<ref>Online text of [http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=CASE&court=US&vol=410&page=113 ROE v. WADE, 410 U.S. 113 (1973)]</ref> decision ruled that abortions are permissible, as a woman's choice, up to the point at which the fetus becomes able to survive outside the womb.