Abortion: two sides of a problem - Research Paper Example

Abortion: an Analytical Essay Abortion can be defined as the termination of a pregnancy coupled to expulsion of the fetus or baby that is not capable of survival (WebMD 1). However, the argument on abortion is not as straightforward as the statement makes it sound. Much like all aspects of life are open to interpretation, the statement above is neither wrong nor right but is down to the interpretation of the individual. Life has no white and black areas, usually only gray ones, and this is the case with abortion. Some issues will tend to be grayer than others are, and abortion is one prime example. Those who are anti-abortion contend that abortion constitutes the murder of a helpless infant who is not given the chance to exist and function as a normal human being. The debate for pro-choice proponents, however, is just as fervent with claims that the woman has the ultimate right to choose what she would like with her body. If she is of the opinion that she does not want a baby, then she should not be made to buy in to those who will not help her bring up the child (Naden 12). Where can a line between inhumane and humane be drawn, as well as murder and necessitated death? When does the right of a woman pertaining to her reproductive organs become a government concern? Is abortion a right or a wrong act? Can abortion be justified by potential fatality, incest and rape? Are there actually any exceptions at all in the abortion debate? Fervent supporters from both sides of this debate have raised so many issues, and now it is imperative to look, at both sides of this debate, to understand it better in a general but thorough manner. As is to be expected, the opponents to abortion are very many. This group is better referred to as advocates of pro-life, essentially advocating for the infant’s life over that of the mother to elect whether to have the baby or not. Groups that lend their support to the pro-life argument include the Christian Coalition and Human life International (HLI), along with other smaller groups (Stotland 34). People can be rendered pro-life and very anti-abortion by various reasons. One of the most used reasons is that a person who undergoes an abortion takes the life of an unborn baby by murdering unsuspecting life. They are attempting to play God by taking someone else’s life (Stotland 34). There is also a feeling that abortion is a procedure that is steeped in danger and that it puts the mother at preventable and unnecessary risk (Giubilini & Francesca 355). Pro-life advocates are also of the opinion that the mother could attempt alternative options to abortion. For example, a woman could elect to put up their infant for adoption after birth. Adoption would provide the baby with a loving and warm home. Adoption applications go for months without being processed and as such, babies put up for adoption would find a home. Most Pro-life advocates are also of the idea that if one is willing and chooses to have sex then they can live with the consequences of sex (Giubilini & Francesca 360). The consequences of all actions must be faced and not ignored. Finally, the pro-life advocates have also used the “playing God” argument in the recent past, contending that if a mother elects to get rid of her pregnancy, then she is taking God’s decision for him. Arguments to this end carry that if God willed, for the woman, to lose her child, then He would make her miscarry. Pro-life arguments tend to revolve around ethics, religious belief and morals. However, morals and ethics have always been a gray area in society and, as such; a group with quite different beliefs about abortion exists. This group is the pro-choice advocacy group or the abortionists. Pro-choice abortionists constitute a part of society that believes the woman’s right to choose should be the priority in seeking a solution to the argument (Gher & Zampas 258). They argue that this should come before the unborn infant. Their main argument centers around the right of a woman to choose what should happen to their bodies. The advocates will support this argument using the Roe vs. Wade Case of 1973 in support of their standpoint. This case has given a fundamental and essential basis for a majority of abortion laws that are ion existence today. The ruling in this case contended that, the right of privacy was wide enough to harbor a woman’s resolution on terminating her pregnancy (Gher & Zampas 258). However, away from the issue on whether it is a woman’s right to choose or not, abortionists also argue that abortion should be allowed for the safety of the mother. In cases where the infant’s mother may be in grave danger because of the pregnancy, they feel that abortion should be applied to save the mother’s life (Lunneborg 34). Other instances where they believe that abortion should be allowed are if the pregnancy arises from cases of either incest or rape. Most pro-choice abortionists resent the idea that a woman should be forced to carry a full term pregnancy of an infant conceived during incest or a rape. It would act, they say, as a constant reminder of the horrors and terrors of the events that led up to her conception every time she looked at her child. Additionally, the fact that incest can result in the birth of children with physical and mental retardation, as well as handicaps informs their stance (Lunneborg 35). However, even with this argument, the main argument for pro-choice abortionists is their right to choose and women’s right to decide on what happens to their bodies. In the recent past, the debate around abortion has grown and now encompasses various other aspects of pregnancy procedures, for example, early termination (Lunneborg 50). The abortion issue and its argument have been fuelled by the emergence of third trimester abortions, partial-birth abortions, and RU-486 pill or the “day after” pill. These three have added a new aspect to the abortion argument, especially since third trimester abortions, and partial birth abortions are very controversial because the procedures involve expulsion and/ or termination of a living fetus from the womb of a mother. This is in direct contrast to early-prenatal abortions where the expulsion involves an embryo rather than a fetus. Although, it does not materialize that one of the procedures would be more controversial compared to the other, in some countries, for example, the United States, partial-birth abortions involved the breaching of the baby halfway from the uterus. The fetus’ neck is then snapped, which kills it almost instantaneously. This practice has been banned and outlawed in the United States following passionate protests from many outraged pro-life advocates, as well as some pro-choice abortionist who found the act too inhumane (Lunneborg 51). The morning after pill or the RU-486 pill does not carry as much controversy as the other two aspects of abortion, expect when the religious wing of the pro-life movement raises the “playing God” argument. The morning after pill works as a synthetic hormone that alerts the brain on a false pregnancy that is already in existence before the recent conception. This results in the expulsion of the already created zygote because the body responds as if it is already pregnant (Lunneborg 51). This pill and its consequences raise the same concerns that are raised by the abortion procedure itself. Opinions that most people have, which pertain to the rights or wrongs of abortion are influenced and structured by the source of information. Using the internet for information, a website such as “Planned Parenthood”, can give a pretty unbiased and objective approach. However, a site like Human Rights International, which is already in support of one side of the argument, can give a biased account of the issue. I hope that this paper has provided a succinct analysis of the various arguments used by both sides of the abortion divide, as well as encompassing all parts of the spectrum. Although the debate is mired in the gray area, the interpretation that one chooses to make sense of the gray areas will, ultimately, answer their questions regarding the ethical and moral standings of abortion. Works Cited Gher, Jaime. & Zampas, Christina. "Abortion as a Human Right—International and Regional Standards." Human Rights Law Review (2008): 249-294. Print. Giubilini, Alberto. & Francesca, Minerva. "After-birth abortion: why should the baby live?" Journal of Medical Ethics (2012): 311-450. Print. Lunneborg, Patricia. Abortion : a positive decision. New York : Bergin & Garvey, 2012. Print. Naden, Corinne. Abortion. New York : Marshall Cavendish Benchmark , 2012. Print. Stotland, Nada. Abortion : facts and feelings : a handbook for women and the people who care about them. Washington : American Psychiatric Press , 2008. Print. WebMD. Women's Health: Abortion - Topic Overview. 22 February 2011. 8 Web November 2012 www.women.webmd.com/tc/abortion-topic-overview. Read More