Abortion: The War Of Pro-life Or Pro-choice Without Concession

Abortion is a controversial topic that has sparked debates both in the U.S., and across the globe. It’s more complicated than its definition implies. There are a variety of opinions on the issue. Recent abortion restrictions have sparked controversy both on a social and political level. There are two moral dilemmas at play here: the right to choose and the right to live. Arguments are a result of differing bureaucratic statuses and unwillingness to compromise by the two sides. This causes the division to grow and this old disagreement will never end. This freedom to speak and to choose to express beliefs is not wrong. The fault lies with irrational thinking, not opinion. This essay will discuss both the pro and anti abortion positions to give a better understanding of the topic and its reasons.

The history of abortion in the U.S. has been a cyclical one, with prohibitions and warrants, but no common ground. Roe V. Wade’s 1973 ruling overturning laws against abortion was a turning-point for the act. Connecticut passed its first abortion ban in 1821. Twenty states followed suit a few years later, in 1860. Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania V. Casey, which was decided in 1992 after the precedent-setting decision, also supported women’s right to abortion. In 2003, despite a federal ban on abortion, the NAF won against this restriction the next year. In 2019, many states would pass laws prohibiting any form of abortion. Bills called “heartbeats” make it illegal to intentionally remove a baby’s heartbeat once the heartbeat has been detected. Morality, justice and law are all questioned. Democrats who support Roe v. Wade and pro-choice argue that this ban violates the “right of women to make their own decisions about pregnancy” and is “discriminatory”. This is particularly true for victims of rape, incest and other forms where they cannot “be free from degrading and inhumane treatment.” It also raises the issue that politics, which are male-dominated, dictates what women can and cannot do with their body. Republicans are pro life, arguing that abortion violates the “sanctity of human life” clause in the Constitution. The words are easy, but the acceptance of the idea is not.

The act is viewed as a sin by the gods, since it affects both the soul and body of two separate entities. Christianity, Buddhism. Jewishness, and Hinduism, to name a few, all abhor it, with almost no exceptions. Christianity supports life because it believes that an embryo’s “spirit” is already present in the mother at the time of conception. The fetuses “bear the likeness and image of God”, and they are God’s fruit. The act of ending life is immoral, but God forgives sins. The Buddhists also “morally condemn abortion”, because it’s homicide, and therefore a violation of their first moral precept: non-violence. This issue is guided by a number of doctrines, including karma, rebirth and existence. Life is viewed as sacred, and the human being is treated as such. Buddhism reflects the same view as Christianity that life begins with fertilization. Jewish teachings assert that “rights or wrongs…are not determined by the human mind, but rather by intuition or expediency”. The mother’s well-being is also a priority. Only if a mother’s mental well-being is in danger, does this religion differ from others. Incest and rape do not receive the same level of understanding. It is true that the fetus has not yet been born but it is corrupt to “destroy an infant” and that “modern rabbis unanimously agree that abortion and infanticide constitute unconscionable crimes against human dignity”. Hinduism is not dogmatic about abortions or bioethics. But many Indians disapprove, and some even call it a crime. Aborting a child is like “putting out the fire” in the womb, which is sacred. The only punishment for doing this is spiritual.

In the rest of the globe, however, they weigh their opinions based more on the circumstances and consequences than just opinion. They recognize and acknowledge both the mother and fetus. Incest and rape can be exceptions. Also, pregnant women whose health or lives are in danger are exempt. Abortions are permitted as long as the parents or partners consent. There are many different countries, but they all have their own unique situations. Africa and China have a large population, but the first prefers to protect health. The latter chooses sex selection as their only exception. Comparing the world’s laws on abortion with the world religions maps, it is surprising that it is permitted in countries where religion is dominant.

Another view of the situation focuses on doctors and medical ethics. They remain partial. The Hippocratic Oath states that physicians must adhere to certain principles, including “treating sick patients as best as they can, maintaining patient privacy, and teaching secrets of medicine in the future generation”. In this instance, the lives of patients are paramount. Before we get to the special cases, let’s first examine and describe the abortion methods. Some procedures are classified into surgical, chemical, and medical means. Depending on how far along the pregnancy is, the surgical abortion can be performed using a variety of methods. The procedure gets more complex as the trimester progresses. However, “most abortions can be performed in a clinic setting…under local sedation or anesthesia”. People who cannot afford or do not have health care and are unable to obtain safe abortions resort to alternative methods. These include drinking toxic liquids or using anything that will reach into the uterus to force their way out. The fetus or mother will not be saved by this method. The number of abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44 “in developing countries” is 36, while it’s 27 in the developed world. It will not prevent illegal and self inflicted abortions. In fact, a ban on abortions only limits access to a safe and legal abortion. Both patients and doctors struggle with this decision. One is the one who has to make it, while the other witnesses the decision. NPR aired a story that followed the Weinstein Family, as they entered their second pregnancy. The third trimester was also reached. As a parent, she had to decide and it was not a simple decision. If the baby did not survive, then the family would be devastated. Dana says, “she’d have given anything if she had been alive to be able help the baby survive”. She was not going to be able to do that. StoryCorps presents doctors who can sympathize and offer comfort in such a time of crisis. In this case, like the Weinsteins’, the Youngs discover that their child has “developed a condition of the brain which would make it impossible for them to survive alone”. Dr. Tiller was killed. He had been the doctor the Youngs turned to for help. Natalie Young, a man who is a father, grandparent, and a Christian, was credited with helping the young couple through some of their darkest hours. They regret that the people who will follow their path won’t know about Dr. Tiller’s compassion and nonjudgmental attitude. No mother or father would kill a child they chose to have.

Roe v. Wade, which was decided in 1973, has given many women a new sense of freedom and liberation. Women around the globe can now take control of their bodies and lives. The controversy that accompanied legalizing abortion has increased in the past few years. In the debate, there is a constant questioning of social, ethical, moral and ethical values. When opposing opinions are clashing on a subject that is so popular and receives such mass attention, it’s inevitable there will be disagreements. No matter what the issue, as long as it is a responsible choice, and is carefully considered, taking into account all factors, then the right should be respected. The fate has a way of determining some things, but the ones that are under our control should not be treated as an unearned privilege. All decisions come with their own consequences. However, what is right or wrong remains subjective.

References

Original: On the other hand

Paraphrased: In contrast

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