The Moral Questions Of Abortion - Essay Example

The Moral Questions Of AbortionAbortion is a highly contentious issue that has been at the center of a fierce political debate throughout most of the last century. From progressive reformers fighting to legalize contraceptives as early as the 1920’s, to the legalization of abortion nearly fifty-years later, abortion has always engendered passionate intensity on both sides. In 1973, in the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, abortion was legalized and since over 40 million abortion procedures have completed in the United States – nearly 1/3rd of the entire total of actual births (Wilke 1990).

Consider for instance Fig. 1, which demonstrates that the population of states marked in red is equivalent to the amount of abortions since the early 1990s. These are staggering figures, further complicated by the growing trend within American society towards the acceptance of abortion as morally justified, when, in actuality, abortion is the murder of innocent lives. This essay demonstrates this concept by debunking a number of common misconceptions about abortion, ultimately demonstrating the overwhelming need of society to moves towards once again prohibiting abortion.

A number of myths and misconceptions contribute to the growing trend of support for abortion within the United States. One of the prevailing trends of feminist thought is the idea, often quoted as, “My body my choice.” Meaning that since it is the woman’s body in which the child is residing, the woman should have the right to choose whether or not to terminate the life. When considered logically this line of reasoning considerably breaks down. First, the child is comprised of genetic input from both the mother and father; therefore, the child can be deemed independent from the maternal body, as its variant DNA constitutes an entirely new form of life.

In this instance, the child is not fully an element of the woman’s body, as it comprised of variant DNA, and is only reliant on the mother for room and boarding, so that ultimately the child is an independent being (Young 2). Another large misconception held by people who commit abortion is the belief that the aborted child is not alive. Going by the standards of all contemporary science, as well as religious doctrine, the unborn fetus is considered a human. According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary’s definition of organism, this is "an individual constituted to carry on the activities of life by means of organs separate in function but mutually dependent : a living being (As cited in Young 3).

" In addition, the biblical scripture indicates a similar line of thinking; The Bible states, “Before I was born the Lord called me (Isaiah 49:1).” There are also a number of other considerable facts that supports the decision to outlaw abortion, as it constitutes murder. Consider for instance, medical science. The heart starts beating shortly after conception – as science demonstrates this occurs only 18-25 days after conception. Another reason considers the nature of brain waves. An individual is declared deceased by medical standards when their brainwaves cease to exist.

Medical research has demonstrated that electrical brainwaves exist in children after only 43 days after conception. Using the logical of contemporary medical science then, the fetus should be considered a child extremely early in the process of pregnancy. Finally, at early phases of pregnancy the child begins to take on sensory perceptions; for instance, at only eighty days into the pregnancy the child is able to detect touch, light, sound, and heart. In great regards then, the only difference between the unborn fetus and a ‘living’ child is the fetus’ existence within the mother.

In conclusion, the necessity of prohibiting abortion is evident. Continuing the allow abortion within the country is the same as instituting state-wide support of murder, as the fetus is truly a unique and precious human being. ReferencesSchwarz, Dr. Stephen, The Moral Question of Abortion Ohio, 1990. NIV Bible (1987) Zondervan.Wilke, JC (1990) Heartbeat, vol 3, no 4, Edward Lenoski, December 1980; cited in Abortion Questions and Answers, Hayes Publishing Company Inc. Cincinatti, OH, USA.

p143Young, Curt. (1984) The Least of These: What Everyone Should Know About Abortion, Moody Press, Chicago, IL, p215AppendixFig.1 Equivalent Amount of Abortions