Abortion is wrong in any form or circumstance. It is the termination of a human life that resides in the womb.
There are more than just two groups of people dominating this issue. They are "Pro-Life," "Pro-Choice," "Anti Abortion," and "Moderate." Pro-life is self explanatory. These people believe that all life is precious, tend to disagree with capitol punishment and also are very much against abortion. "Anti Abortion" people usually see nothing wrong with capital punishment but stand against abortion. Those who are "Pro-Choice" believe in the right of a woman to do with her body what she wishes. Some say they wouldn't have an abortion themselves but wouldn't dream of telling someone else they shouldn't. "Moderates" either are not sure of their stance or will agree with abortion under certain "special" circumstances.
I've been debating this issue for quite some time and along the way, I've heard an array of "reasons" to permit abortion. I can understand where some of these arguments are coming from, but in my opinion there is still no
circumstance that could call for the death of a baby via abortion. In this article, I will use myself as the example to put forth my opinions, where applicable.
In the instance of rape; some "moderates" agree abortion is bad but argue that in the case of rape and/or incest, it should be permitted. I can understand the sentiment behind this argument. Rape and incest are both terrible violations in many ways. I understand the many feelings a rape victim may experience. I can also understand how angry she may feel upon learning she became pregnant as a result of such an attack. I think everyone in society can "feel" for someone is this situation. This does not mean, however, that the woman should be given the latitude to behave in certain ways using the excuse of being a rape victim. If this happened to me, I believe I would experience a vast amount of feelings ranging from anger to fear. I would absolutely want the responsible party to be punished. However, even though I do not like how and why I conceived that child, does not take away the fact that I am pregnant; carrying a living human being. I can totally understand a rape victim not wishing to raise a child that was the result of a rape. I would encourage them to give birth then allow the child to be adopted. It shows love, care, common sense, and responsibility to give birth to the baby and give it up for adoption. I would consider doing the same thing if this situation occured. I would also consider keeping and raising the baby. I would consider this because that child is still half "mine." The baby is made up of half of my genetic material, regardless of the contributing factor. Two wrongs don't make a right (a bit cliche-ish, but still applicable).
Another circumstance that calls for much thought and consideration is, if allowing the baby to come to term would kill the mother, which should live? This is a very personal decision. The only way I can address this is by stating what I would do. If it was my life that was in jeopardy because of my desire to bring the baby to term, I would have to tell the doctor to do everything he/she can to save both myself and my child. I would ask everyone, including myself, to do their best to secure the life and safety of myself and the baby then allow nature to take its course and hope for the best. In the event of my death, if my husband felt he could not handle raising the child alone, I would ask that he give the baby up for adoption. Those would be my/our only choices. Again, this is such a personal situation, I can only offer what my own conscience would dictate if I were in that situation.
Some women use abortion as their form of birth control. This is disgusting and dangerous. It is disgusting because instead of being sexually responsible (by abstaining or protecting themselves) they seek a "quick fix" to cover-up or remedy their situation once they learn they are pregnant. These women are not taking responsibility for their actions, they opt to just make it disappear. They should control themselves. Abortion as birth control is dangerous because no matter how many technological advances have been made, it doesn't change the fact that the procedure is invasive and unnatural. (Note: Calling 'the pill' "birth control" is widely accepted in our society. While I have no problem with its use and purpose, I feel it should be called 'pregnancy control' or 'prevention.' The woman using it is 'controlling'/'preventing' a pregnancy. Abortion, however, IS birth control, in my opinion. A woman who aborts is obviously already pregnant. Therefore, they are no longer preventing a pregnancy they are preventing a birth. That is my opinion. I can get picky over semantics.)
Some people say that abortion is not murder because the fetus is not a living human being before birth. This assertion is totally false and easily refuted with basic biological knowlege.
Once sperm is deposited in the vagina, it travels through the cervix and into
the Fallopian tubes. Conception usually takes place in the outer third of the
Fallopian tube.
A single sperm penetrates the mother's egg cell (ovum) and the developing child gets half of its genetic information (in the form of DNA) from the mother (this is contained in the egg), and half from the father (from the sperm). The resulting single cell is called a zygote.
The zygote spends the next few days traveling down the Fallopian tube and divides to form many attached cells. A ball of cells is produced, each cell including a copy of the genes that will guide the development of the baby. Once there are about 32 cells, the developing baby is called a morula.
With additional cell division, the morula becomes an outer shell of cells with
an attached inner group of cells. Now the developing baby is in the
"blastocyst" stage. The outer group of cells will become the membranes that nourish and protect the inner group of cells, which will become the embryo.
The blastocyst reaches the uterus at roughly the fifth day, and implants into
the uterine wall on about day six. At this point in the mother's menstrual cycle, the endometrium (lining of the uterus) has grown and is ready to support a fetus. The blastocyst adheres tightly to the endometrium where it receives nourishment via the mother's bloodstream.
During the time between implantation and the eighth week, the cells of what is now called the embryo not only multiply, but begin to take on specific functions. This process is called differentiation.
There is rapid growth, and the main external features begin to take form. It is during this critical period of differentiation (most of the first trimester) that the growing baby is most susceptible to damage from external sources including:
teratogens (substances that cause birth defects including alcohol and certain prescription and recreational drugs)
Specific changes by week for the embryonic stage:
Week 3
beginning development of the brain, spinal cord, and heart
Weeks 4 to 5
formation of tissue that develops into the vertebra and some other bones
Week 6
beginning of formation of the lungs
Week 7
straightening of trunk
Week 8
rotation of intestines
Weeks 9 to 12
the fetus reaches a length of 3.2 inches
Weeks 13 to 16
the fetus reaches a length of about 6 inches
Week 20
the fetus reaches a length of 8 inches
Week 24
the fetus reaches a length of 11.2 inches
Weeks 25 to 28
the fetus reaches a length of 15 inches
Weeks 29 to 32
the fetus reaches a length of about 15-17 inches
Week 36
the fetus reaches a length of about 16-19 inches
Weeks 38 to 40
considered full-term at 38 weeks
Life comes from life. Two living cells come together and carry on the life cycle. To believe that the fetus is not a living human being until some point during pregnancy is to endorse the concept of life coming from non-life. The fetus does not spend 'dead' time in the womb and then one day spontaneously spring to life! The only difference between an unborn fetus and a born baby is it’s dwelling place and eating habits.
Another argument attempting to prove abortion is not wrong is the belief that the unborn baby is not a "person." Supporters of this theory are not so ignorant as to believe that a fetus is not a living being, but do believe that because it has not yet been born, assigned a name, address, and social security number, then it is not a person. Wow. This thought process is very frightening. This is the same thought process responsible for slavery and Hitler's atrocities. For a very long time, blacks were considered sub-human. Since they were not "people" they could be bought, sold, and treated however the "owner" wished. Hitler believed that Jews were contaminating the human race, asserted that they were not "people" and should be disposed of. There were people in this world that believed black people were not persons and that Jewish people were not people at all, therefore they could be treated in any manner deemed necessary, even killed. These awful people obviously knew they were dealing with living human beings they just felt they were not "persons." So if you support abortion under the premise of the unborn being "non-persons," your attitude is no better than that of slave owners and Adolf Hitler.
It is not surprising that people just itch to keep abortion legal for any and all situations. "Why is this not surprising?" Our society is being taught that humans decended from apes and other animals. If we are no more important than monkeys, I guess it would be OK to kill off unwanted children or anyone, for that matter. Wouldn't it be funny if the same group of people that support animal's rights, support abortion? How contradictory and hypocrytical can you get?! Human life is more important than that and should be respected. This is especially true of the innocent, the unborn.
Love, respect, common sense, and responsibility play leading roles in making the correct decision in all aspects of life, but specifically concerning abortion. It is up to parents to instill these principles in their children so that they are equipped to make responsible decisions. Society's well being lies in the family unit returning to a sense of morality.
infection (such as rubella or cytomegalovirus)
radiation (ionizing radiation such as X-rays, radiation therapy, or accidental
exposure to radiation)
nutritional deficiencies
beginning development of the gastrointestinal tract
further development of the heart which now beats at a regular rhythm
movement of rudimentary blood through the main vessels
beginning of the structures of the eye and ears
the brain develops into five areas and some cranial nerves are visible
arm and leg buds are visible
further development of the brain
arms and legs have lengthened with foot and hand areas distinguishable
hands and feet have digits, but may still be webbed
heart and circulation more fully developed
nipples and hair follicles form
elbows and toes visible
bones more mature
all essential organs have at least begun to form
facial features continue to develop
the eyelids are more developed
the external features of the ear begin to take their final shape
Note: The end of the eighth week marks the beginning of the "fetal period" and the end of the "embryonic period."
the head comprises nearly half of the fetus' size
a neck is present
the face is well formed
eyelids close and will not reopen until about the 28th week
tooth buds appear for the baby teeth
limbs are long and thin
digits are well formed
the fetus can make a fist with its fingers
urogenital tract completes development
genitals appear well differentiated
red blood cells are produced in the liver
a fine hair develops on the head called lanugo
fetal skin is almost transparent
more muscle tissue and bones have developed, and the bones become harder
the fetus makes active movements
sucking motions are made with the mouth
amniotic fluid is swallowed
meconium is made in the intestinal tract
lungs further develop
sweat glands develop
the liver and pancreas produce their appropriate fluid secretions
lanugo hair covers entire body
skin becomes less transparent as fat begins to deposit
eyebrows and lashes appear
nails appear on fingers and toes
the fetus is more active with increased muscle development
"quickening" usually occurs (the mother can feel the fetus moving)
fetal heartbeat can be heard with a stethoscope
the fetus weighs about 1 lb. 10 oz.
hair on the head is longer
eyebrows and eyelashes are well formed
all the eye components are developed
the fetus has a hand and startle reflex
footprints and fingerprints forming
alveoli (air sacs) forming in lungs
the fetus weighs about 2 lbs. 11 oz.
rapid brain development
nervous system developed enough to control some body functions
eyelids open and close
respiratory system, while immature, has developed to the point where gas exchange is possible
a baby born at this time may survive, but the possibilities for complications and death remain high
the fetus weights about 4 lbs. 6 oz.
rapid increase in the amount of body fat
increased central nervous system (CNS) control over body functions
rhythmic breathing movements occur
lungs are not fully mature
bones are fully developed, but still soft and pliable
fetus begins storing iron, calcium, and phosphorus
the fetus weighs about 5 lbs. 12 oz. to 6 lbs. 12 oz.
lanugo begins to disappear
increase in body fat
fingernails reach the end of the fingertips
increased central nervous system (CNS) control over body functions
a baby born at 36 weeks has a high chance of survival, but may require some medical interventions
may be 19 to 21 inches in length
lanugo is gone except for on the upper arms and shoulders
fingernails extend beyond fingertips
small breast buds are present on both sexes
head hair is now coarse and thicker
mother supplies fetus with antibodies against disease
fetus fills entire uterus
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