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Abortion and Fertility Treatment. This icon indicates that teacher’s notes are available in the Notes Page. For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation. This icon indicates that a useful web address is included in the Notes page.
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Abortion and Fertility Treatment This icon indicates that teacher’s notes are available in the Notes Page. For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation. This icon indicates that a useful web address is included in the Notes page. This icon indicates the slide contains activities created in Flash. These activities are not editable.
When do you think life begins? • Conception – when the sperm and egg meet and the cells begin to grow and divide? • When the fetus looks human? • When the fetus can feel? • When the brain has developed? • When the fetus is viable (could survive if it was born prematurely)? • When the child is born? • At another time? Write a few sentences to say when you think life begins and why.
The lesser of two evils Some people believe that abortion is wrong because the fetus is alive and abortion kills it. However, they may say that, in some circumstances, although abortion is a bad thing it is better than allowing the pregnancy to continue. An example would be if the mother’s life was in danger if she continued with the pregnancy; it might be better to kill the fetus and save the mother rather than allow them both to die. This means that they choose the ‘lesser of two evils’ – neither is good but they choose the one that will cause the least harm. Write a paragraph to say if you think abortion should be legal. You could either say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or ‘only in certain circumstances’. Explain why you think this.
Is abortion legal? • Before 1968 abortion was illegal in Britain. Many women went to ‘back-street abortionists’ who carried out abortions in poor conditions. This was very dangerous and so, in 1967, a law was brought in to legalize abortion and protect vulnerable women. This law came into effect in 1968. • The 1967 Abortion Act said that abortion is legal if: • two doctors agree that it is necessary • the fetus is not viable, i.e. before 24 weeks. • The doctors have to consider the following things: • would the baby be born with a physical or mental handicap? • if the woman continued with the pregnancy would it endanger her life, health or mental health? • if the mother had the baby, might it cause suffering for a member of the family who is already alive?
The 1967 Act said that the latest date for an abortion was to be 28 weeks. • In 1990 the date for abortions was reduced to 24 weeks. Some people believe that it should be much lower than this because medical techniques are much more advanced now and it is possible for a baby to survive if born earlier than this if it has the proper medical attention. • There is no limit to the date at which an abortion can be carried out if the baby might be handicapped or if the pregnancy threatens the health of the mother.
A doctor or nurse does not have to carry out or help to carry out abortions if they do not want to. • The father has no legal right when it comes to abortion. He cannot object and does not even have to be consulted. Do you think that the father has as much right as the mother to decide whether or not to abort a baby? Write a dialogue between a couple – she wants an abortion and he does not – what might they say to justify their points of view?
The sanctity of life • When does life begin? • Are all lives of equal value? These are issues that we all have to face when thinking about abortion. Christians believe that all people are made ‘in the image of God’. They believe that their ‘body is a temple’ which has God’s spirit in it, and that every life was planned by God and so is a gift from him. The term ‘sanctity of life’ means that life is holy and should be respected. Christians believe that they should try to preserve life, not destroy it.
