MORAL ISSUE #6: ABORTION

1. MORAL ISSUE #6:ABORTION

2. Definition Abortion- the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus.

3. Question: How long has abortion been around?

4. A Brief History of Abortion The history of abortion, according to anthropologists, dates back to ancient times. There is evidence to suggest that, historically, pregnancies were terminated through a number of methods, including the administration of abortifacient herbs, the use of sharpened implements, the application of abdominal pressure, and other techniques. In the United States, abortion laws began to appear in the 1820s, forbidding abortion after the fourth month of pregnancy. Through the efforts primarily of physicians, the American Medical Association, and legislators, most abortions in the US had been outlawed by 1900. Illegal abortions were still frequent, though they became less frequent during the reign of the Comstock Law which essentially banned birth control information and devices. By 1965, all fifty states banned abortion, with some exceptions which varied by state: to save the life of the mother, in cases of rape or incest, or if the fetus was deformed. Groups like the National Abortion Rights Action League and the Clergy Consultation Service on Abortion worked to liberalize anti-abortion laws. The Supreme Court in 1973, in the case of Roe v. Wade, declared most existing state abortion laws unconstitutional. This decision ruled out any legislative interference in the first trimester of pregnancy and put limits on what restrictions could be passed on abortions in later stages of pregnancy.

5. Question: What are the current laws in the U.S. regarding abortion?

6. In January 22, 1973 the famous Roe vs. Wade case was decided by the Supreme Court. The central holding of Roe v. Wade was that abortions are permissible for any reason a woman chooses, up until the "point at which the fetus becomes ‘viable,’ that is, potentially able to live outside the mother's womb, albeit with artificial aid. Viability is usually placed at about seven months (28 weeks) but may occur earlier, even at 24 weeks.“ More specifically, the ruling was that during the first three months of pregnancy the decision to abort rests solely with the woman and her doctor; during the second three months, the State can regulate the abortion procedure to protect maternal health; during the third three months, when the fetus is viable, the State can regulate or even prohibit abortion except when it is necessary for the mother’s mental or physical health. The decision overturned all state and federal laws outlawing or restricting abortion that were inconsistent with its holdings. Roe is one of the most controversial and politically significant cases in U.S. Supreme Court history.

7. In June 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed and put into effect in the state of Texas a new, tougher measure that requires a parent to provide written consent for abortion for unmarried girls under 18. The bill also restricts doctors from performing abortions on women who have carried a child for more than 26 weeks [third trimester] unless having the baby would jeopardize the woman's life or the baby has serious brain damage.

8. Question: How big of a problem is abortion in the world today?

9. STARTLING STATISTICS Number of Reported Abortions Performed in the U.S. from 1972-1995 1972: 586,760 1976: 988,267 1980: 1,297,606 1985: 1,328,570 1990: 1,429,577 1991: 1,388,937 1992: 1,359,145 1993: 1,330,414 1994: 1,267,415 1995: 1,210,883 Number of abortions performed by weeks of gestation in 1995 in 35 states: 8 weeks: 340,109 9-10 weeks: 142,893 11-12 weeks: 67,392 13-15 weeks: 38,634 16-20 weeks: 27,411 21 weeks: 8,862 Total:625,301

10. World Abortion Statistics • 54countries allow abortion, which is about 61 percent of the world population.  97 countries, about 39 percent of the population, have abortion laws that make it illegal according to the pro-abortion Center for Reproductive Law and Policy in New York. • The Alan Guttmacher Institute reports approximately 22 million legal abortions were reported in 1987. • It is estimated that between four and nine million were not reported, totaling of 26-31 million legal abortions in 1987 alone. • There were a total of 10-22 million "clandestine” [secret] abortions, bringing the total worldwide figure to 36 and 53 million abortions. • France – Legalized Peru - IllegalBritain – Legalized Brazil - IllegalSwitzerland – Legalized Australia - LegalizedDenmark – legalized China -LegalizedHungary – Legalized United States - LegalizedRomania – Legalized Russia - LegalizedPoland – IllegalItaly - LegalizedColombia – Illegal Mexico - Illegal

11. A Roman Catholic Cardinal, pleading for the “Right to Life Amendment,” said, “Every nine days, there are as many deaths by abortion as there were in the entire ten years of the Vietnam War.” (1974) Dr. Bernard Nathanson, the former director of New York’s first abortion clinic, is convinced that he supervised the taking of 60,000 lives. (1976) It was stated in Chicago, “One out of every three children conceived will be aborted here this year…An estimated 200 abortions will be performed each day in Chicago.” (1973). In 1974, about 900,000 abortions were performed in the U.S. The rate in Russia is about ten times higher or about ten million abortions per year. (1976)

12. Questions: Was the U.S. Supreme Court right? Does an embryo and/or a fetus not constitute a human life?

13. Definitions Life- (1)the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body. (2) an organismic state characterized by capacity [potential] for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction. (3) the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual. Death-the irreversible cessation of all vital functions especially as indicated by permanent stoppage of the heart, respiration, and brain activity : the end of life

14. Fetal Development:From Conception to Birth

15. The First Trimester The picture above is a fertilized egg only thirty hours after conception. Magnified here, it is no larger than the head of a pin. Still rapidly dividing, the developing embryo, called a zygote at this stage, floats down from the fallopian tube and towards the uterus.

16. Week 3 At this point, the blastocyst, or developing embryo, is looking for a spot to implant in the uterus. The foundation of the central nervous system, backbone, and spinal column has been established by 19 days. The gastrointestinal system has also begun to develop with the kidneys, liver, and intestines forming. The baby’s eyes begin to form at 19 days. The heart has begun to form and has begun to beat by day twenty-one. Week 4 Hormones produced by the embryo stop the mother's menstrual cycle.

17. Week 4

18. Week 5 By the beginning of the second month, the unborn child looks distinctly human, yet the mother is not aware that she is pregnant. The embryo's tiny heart begins to beat by day twenty-one. The brain has developed into 5 areas and some cranial nerves are visible. Arm and leg buds are visible and the formation of the eyes, lips, and nose has begun. The spinal cord grows faster than the rest of the body giving a tail like appearance which disappears as the embryo continues to grow. The placenta begins to provide nourishment for the embryo. The stomach produces digestive juices, the liver manufactures blood cells, and the kidneys are functioning.

19. Week 7 Major organs have all begun to form. The embryo has developed its own blood type, unique from the mother's. Hair follicles and nipples form and knees and elbows are visible. Facial features are also observable. The eyes have a retina and lens. The major muscle system is developed and the embryo is able to move.

20. Definitions Life- (1)the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body. (2) an organismic state characterized by capacity [potential] for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction. (3) the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual. Death- the irreversible cessation of all vital functions especially as indicated by permanent stoppage of the heart, respiration, and brain activity : the end of life

21. 6 weeks—Photo taken after surgery for an ectopic pregnancy

22. Week 7

23. Week 8 The embryo is reactive to its environment inside the amniotic sac where it swims and moves. Hands and feet can be seen. At the end of week 8, the embryonic period is over and the fetal stage begins. After week 8, no further original organs will form—everything that is already present will be found in the full-term baby.From this point until adulthood, when full growth is achieved somewhere between 25 and 27 years, the changes in the body will be mainly in dimension.

24. Week 8

25. Weeks 9-12 The heart is almost completely developed and the heart rate can be heard on a Doppler machine at the doctor's office. Most major organs and tissues have developed and red blood cells are now produced in the liver. The face is well formed and the eyes are almost fully developed. The eyelids will close and not reopen until the 28th week. Arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, and toes are fully formed.Nails and earlobes start to form and tooth buds develop in the gums. Fetus can make a fist with its finger. Testosterone (male sex hormone) is produced by the testes in male fetus. In the third month, the child becomes very active and by the end of the month kicks his legs, turns his feet, moves his thumbs, bends his wrists, turns his head, frowns, squints, and opens his mouth.

26. Definitions Life- (1)the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body. (2) an organismic state characterized by capacity [potential] for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction. (3) the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual. Death-the irreversible cessation of all vital functions especially as indicated by permanent stoppage of the heart, respiration, and brain activity : the end of life

27. Weeks 9-12

28. The Second Trimester Weeks 13-16 The brain is fully developed and the fetus can suck, swallow, and make irregular breathing sounds. Fetus can feel pain (New England Journal of Medicine). Fetal skin is almost transparent. Muscles tissue is lengthening and bones are becoming harder. Liver and organs produce appropriate fluids. Eyebrows and eyelashes appear and the fetus makes active movements including kicks and even somersaults. 16 weeks

29. 16 weeks

30. 16 weeks

31. 17 weeks

32. 19 weeks

33. Week 20 “Quickening” (when the mother can feel the fetus moving) usually occurs around this time. Finger and toenails appear. Lanugo, a fine hair, now covers the entire body. The fetus can hear and recognize the mother’s voice. Sex organs are visible on ultrasound devices.

34. A picture began circulating in November. It should be The Picture of the Year, or perhaps, Picture of the Decade. The picture is that of a 21-week-old unborn baby named Samuel Alexander Armas, who is being operated on by a surgeon named Joseph Bruner. The baby was diagnosed with spina bifida and would not survive if removed from his mother's womb. Little Samuel's mother, Julie Armas, is an obstetrics nurse in Atlanta. She knew of Dr. Bruner's remarkable surgical procedure. Practicing at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, he performs these special operations while the baby is still in the womb. During the procedure, the doctor removes the uterus via C-section and makes a small incision to operate on the baby. As Dr. Bruner completed the surgery on little Samuel, the little guy reached his tiny, but fully developed, hand through the incision and firmly grasped the surgeon's finger. Dr. Bruner was reported as saying that when his finger was grasped, it was the most emotional moment of his life, and that for an instant during the procedure he was just frozen, totally immobile. The photograph captures this amazing event with perfect clarity. The editors titled the picture, “Hand of Hope.” The text explaining the picture begins, “The tiny hand of 21-week-old fetus Samuel Alexander Armas emerges from the mother's uterus to grasp the finger of Dr. Joseph Bruner as if thanking the doctor for the gift of life.” Little Samuel's mother said they wept for days when they saw the picture. She said, “The photo that reminds us of my pregnancy isn't about disability or an illness, it's about a little person.” Samuel was born in perfect health, the operation 100 per cent successful. Now see the actual picture, and it is awesome... incredible. And hey, pass it on. The world needs to see this one.

36. The Third Trimester Week 24 A protective waxy substance called Vernix covers the skin. By birth, most of the Vernix will be gone but any that is left is quickly absorbed. Fetus has a hand and startle reflex. Footprints and fingerprints are forming. Fetus practices breathing by inhaling amniotic fluid into its developing lungs. Weeks 25 - 28 Rapid brain development occurs during this period and the nervous system is able to control some bodily functions. The fetus’ eyelids now open and close. At 25 weeks there is a 60% chance of survival if born. The fetus is considered legally viable at 28 weeks and there is a 90% chance of survival if born at this point. Weeks 29 - 32 There is a rapid increase in the amount of body fat the fetus has. Rhythmic breathing occurs, but the lungs are not yet mature. The fetus sleeps 90-95% of the day. At this point there the survival rate is above 95% if the baby is born.

37. Weeks 38 - 40 The fetus is considered full-term. Lanugo is gone except on upper arms and shoulders. Hair on the baby’s head is now coarser and thicker. The lungs are mature. The average weight of the baby at this point is seven and a half pounds. At birth the placenta detaches from the uterus and the umbilical cord will be cut as the baby takes his first breaths of air. Breathing will trigger changes in the heart and bypass arteries forcing all blood to now travel through the lungs.

38. 24 weeks

39. 24 weeks

40. 26 weeks

41. 28 weeks

42. Birth—36 weeks

43. Definitions Life- (1)the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body. (2) an organismic state characterized by capacity [potential] for metabolism, growth, reaction to stimuli, and reproduction. (3) the sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual. Death- the irreversible cessation of all vital functions especially as indicated by permanent stoppage of the heart, respiration, and brain activity : the end of life

44. Abortion: What Does God Think About It?

45. Definition Abortion- the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus.

46. Question: How long has abortion been around?

47. A Brief History of Abortion The history of abortion, according to anthropologists, dates back to ancient times. In the United States, abortion laws began to appear in the 1820s, forbidding abortion after the fourth month of pregnancy. Through the efforts primarily of physicians, the American Medical Association, and legislators, most abortions in the US had been outlawed by 1900. By 1965, all fifty states banned abortion, with some exceptions which varied by state: to save the life of the mother, in cases of rape or incest, or if the fetus was deformed. Groups like the National Abortion Rights Action League and the Clergy Consultation Service on Abortion worked to liberalize anti-abortion laws. The Supreme Court in 1973, in the case of Roe v. Wade, declared most existing state abortion laws unconstitutional. This decision ruled out any legislative interference in the first trimester of pregnancy and put limits on what restrictions could be passed on abortions in later stages of pregnancy.

48. Question: What are the current laws in the U.S. regarding abortion?

49. In January 22, 1973 the famous Roe vs. Wade case was decided by the Supreme Court. The ruling was that during the first three months of pregnancy the decision to abort rests solely with the woman and her doctor; during the second three months, the State can regulate the abortion procedure to protect maternal health; during the third three months, when the fetus is viable, the State can regulate or even prohibit abortion except when it is necessary for the mother’s mental or physical health. The decision overturned all state and federal laws outlawing or restricting abortion that were inconsistent with its holdings. Roe is one of the most controversial and politically significant cases in U.S. Supreme Court history.

50. In June 2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed and put into effect in the state of Texas a new, tougher measure that restricts doctors from performing abortions on women who have carried a child for more than 26 weeks [third trimester] unless having the baby would jeopardize the woman's life or the baby has serious brain damage.