Difference between revisions of "Abortion"
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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; 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 | + | 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 regard this as 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. | ||
Revision as of 18:30, 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; 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 regard this as 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 human element by referring to them as "unborn babies".
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)