Is Abortion Immoral?

1. Is Abortion Immoral? By: Amrita and Aisha

2. Definition Abortion: Termination of pregnancy and expulsion of an embryo or of a fetus that is incapable of survival

3. History of Abortion • Near the end of the 20th century, nations began to legalize abortion. • This controversial subject has sparked heated debates and in some cases even violence. • Before the Middle Ages, women attempted abortion with sharpened sticks, poisonous herbs, abdominal pressure, special exercises, and other techniques. • Although attitudes toward abortion are most likely dependent on cultural context, many ancient civilizations were known to tolerate abortions • Ex. Ancient Greek culture, considered abortion to be a necessary practice for the maintenance of a stable population.

4. Henry Morgentaler • One of Canada's most controversial figures • He broke the law and opened the country's first abortion clinic. • Was considered as a hero by some and called a murderer by others as he fought to change Canada's abortion laws • Morgentaler went through four jury trials and spent 10 months in jail for providing abortions.

5. Roe Vs Wade Case • “Roe” (Norma McCorvey) wanted a legal abortion done by a doctor under safe conditions • She couldn’t get it in Texas because the pregnancy didn’t threaten her life and she couldn’t afford to go to another state for legal abortion • Roe won the case but it wasn’t over as Wade appealed, Roe also won the appeal but it was too late for her as she already had her baby which she put up for adoption • She was proud that she helped women with the same situation although the decision was made too late to help herself

6. No Abortion is not Immoral Liberals argue that since a fetus doesn’t become a person until birth, a woman may do whatever she pleases with her body It is okay to kill animals for human benefits such as experimental use and food so shouldn’t it be okay to practice abortion for human benefits? If a woman has been raped, shouldn’t she be able to abort the baby? Can cause depression, suicide etc. if a woman or teen is forced to conceive a child in her situation Pregnancy may pose a threat to the woman’s life and well-being Unwanted pregnancies (teens, drug addicts, unfit mothers) have life long consequences for the child Abortion is justifiable in early pregnancy as the fetus does not yet carry human characteristics, in late pregnancy it could cause injury or death Opposing Views

7. Yes Abortion is Immoral Life is present from the moment of conception or  when the fetus looks like a baby Fetuses posses a characteristic such as genetic code that is both necessary and sufficient for human beings General moral principal is that it is wrong to take a human life Animals aren’t people but to kill or torture them it is considered wrong, although for a future being it makes it as if its okay Being a person is what gives an individual a moral worth Pro-life advocates promote abstinence until marriage Believe an unborn child has a right to life just as much as a born child Believe there are alternatives, such as adoption or raising the child to the best of the woman’s ability Opposing Views

8. Differences of Abortion Laws

9. Fetus Development First Trimester Second Trimester Third Trimester

10. Discussion Questions 1.) A 16 year old girl, just found out she’s 2 months pregnant, boyfriend left her, parents will disown her if they find out. Do you feel she should have the baby and put it up for adoption with her parents finding out? Or abort the baby and move on with her life? 2.) Let’s say you wake up one day, medically attached to a famous violinist. He would die if u detached yourself from him. Would the violinist have the right to life? And how does this differ from abortion? 3.) If someone close to you was raped, and was impregnated, would that qualify her to have an abortion? 4.) Should there be laws permitting the number of abortions a woman can have under certain circumstances? Ex. 2 abortions per female, then she must conceive (letting nature take its course) 5.) After listening to this presentation, do you think abortion is moral (premising the circumstances) or is abortion cruel and immoral?

11. THE END