Difference between revisions of "Abortion"
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(You still ought to state the premise. It is only murder _if_ human life begins at conception, which is of course precisely the point in dispute.) |
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| − | 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, abortion that is the result of intentionally performing a procedure that induces it. | + | 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, abortion that is the result of intentionally performing a procedure that induces it. 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 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. |
Those who support abortion insist upon terms like "fetus"-- seemingly to minimize the humanity of unborn infants; those against it usually try to stress the humanity their humanity. | Those who support abortion insist upon terms like "fetus"-- seemingly to minimize the humanity of unborn infants; those against it usually try to stress the humanity their humanity. | ||
Revision as of 18:17, February 18, 2007
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."[1] Thus, the word includes miscarriage, but commonly refers to induced abortion, abortion that is the result of intentionally performing a procedure that induces it. 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 Supreme Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade[2] 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.
Those who support abortion insist upon terms like "fetus"-- seemingly to minimize the humanity of unborn infants; those against it usually try to stress the humanity their humanity.
The movement in the United States which opposes abortion calls itself the "Pro-Life" movement, the movement which supports it labels itself the "Pro-Choice" movement.
References
- ↑ American Heritage Dictionary definition, abortion
- ↑ Online text of ROE v. WADE, 410 U.S. 113 (1973)