Abortion Essay -- Pregnancy Ethics Essays

Abortion Perhaps one of the most controversial issues debated between lawmakers and legislatures is abortion. Disputes concerning abortion began during the 1820s. By 1965, with a few exceptions, abortion had been made illegal in all states. Abortions were only permitted when the fetus was deformed, or if birth of the baby would harm the mother’s life. All of this changed however in 1973 during the landmark Supreme Court Case of Roe v. Wade which legalized abortion. The Supreme Court recognized that it is solely a mother’s choice whether to become a parent. The court also recognized that an issue as significant as child bearing warrants the highest level of constitutional protection. According to the Court, a state’s interest in potential life is not â€Å"compelling† until there is a status of viability—the point in pregnancy at which there is a reasonable possibility for the sustained survival of the fetus outside of the womb. The Cour t also affirmed that the right to privacy is not absolute and that a state does have a valid interest in safeguarding maternal health, maintaining medical standards, and protecting potential health. Under the Court’s decision, a state may, but is not required to prohibit abortion after viability, except when it is necessary to protect a women’s life or health. The Roe v. Wade decision faced immediate opposition. Opponents at both the federal and state level urged government to pass anti-abortion legislation. Over the next two decades, the Supreme Court was repeatedly called upon to decide whether a wide range of abortion statutes violated a woman’s right to privacy. While a large portion of these restrictions were considered unconstitutional, the court grante... ...forts to educate women about other options, such as adoption, should be extended. Furthermore, there should be an expansion of efforts to prevent unintended pregnancies. Such efforts should include programs for sexual education and the provision of contraceptives to sexually active females. Abortion should not only be available to those women with the financial means to pay for it. Congress should pass laws that would ensure females of low-income status access to abortion at the government’s expense. Moderates would also like laws that guarantee that medical facilities which provide abortions are licensed to meet very high standards of health care. Websites for more information: www.naral.org www.crlp.org www.nrlc.org http://www.plannedparenthood.org/abortion/default.htm http://www.policyalmanac.org/culture/abortion.shtml Abortion Essay -- Pregnancy Ethics Essays Abortion Perhaps one of the most controversial issues debated between lawmakers and legislatures is abortion. Disputes concerning abortion began during the 1820s. By 1965, with a few exceptions, abortion had been made illegal in all states. Abortions were only permitted when the fetus was deformed, or if birth of the baby would harm the mother’s life. All of this changed however in 1973 during the landmark Supreme Court Case of Roe v. Wade which legalized abortion. The Supreme Court recognized that it is solely a mother’s choice whether to become a parent. The court also recognized that an issue as significant as child bearing warrants the highest level of constitutional protection. According to the Court, a state’s interest in potential life is not â€Å"compelling† until there is a status of viability—the point in pregnancy at which there is a reasonable possibility for the sustained survival of the fetus outside of the womb. The Cour t also affirmed that the right to privacy is not absolute and that a state does have a valid interest in safeguarding maternal health, maintaining medical standards, and protecting potential health. Under the Court’s decision, a state may, but is not required to prohibit abortion after viability, except when it is necessary to protect a women’s life or health. The Roe v. Wade decision faced immediate opposition. Opponents at both the federal and state level urged government to pass anti-abortion legislation. Over the next two decades, the Supreme Court was repeatedly called upon to decide whether a wide range of abortion statutes violated a woman’s right to privacy. While a large portion of these restrictions were considered unconstitutional, the court grante... ...forts to educate women about other options, such as adoption, should be extended. Furthermore, there should be an expansion of efforts to prevent unintended pregnancies. Such efforts should include programs for sexual education and the provision of contraceptives to sexually active females. Abortion should not only be available to those women with the financial means to pay for it. Congress should pass laws that would ensure females of low-income status access to abortion at the government’s expense. Moderates would also like laws that guarantee that medical facilities which provide abortions are licensed to meet very high standards of health care. Websites for more information: www.naral.org www.crlp.org www.nrlc.org http://www.plannedparenthood.org/abortion/default.htm http://www.policyalmanac.org/culture/abortion.shtml