Abortion

Since the passage of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision over 30 years ago, more than 39 million abortions have been performed in the U.S. ("Standing for the Unborn" 19). Each year, clinics and hospitals are involved in performing more than one million abortions. For example, in the year 2000, 1.31 million abortions were performed, thus making it one of the "most common surgical procedures" in the country (Physicians for Reproductive Choice & Health [PRCH] and the Alan Guttmacher Institute [AGI] 6). Out of the large number of abortions, a national survey of 1,900 women indicated that only seven percent was a result of health problems or rape/incest. In other words, most of the women have simply chosen not to have their babies for a variety of other reasons (PRCH and AGI 10).

In spite of its frequency, abortion remains a controversial issue that continues to trigger debate. A 1999 poll reported that 42 percent of adults consider themselves "pro-life" (St. Anthony's Messenger). This research paper argues that our society should not support abortion because it is an unnecessary evil that violates the fetus' right to life. In this paper, the following three arguments supporting this statement will be discussed:

Abortion goes against many religious beliefs.

Abortion undermines the well-being of women.

The presentation of these arguments will demonstrate why our society should not support abortion.

First of all, since abortion involves the ter

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ebrew and Christian scriptures all support the sanctity of the human life, including those of the unborn. Based on their beliefs in the sacredness of life, Catholics have called for the need to recognize the rights of all human beings "from the first moment of [their] existence." Therefore, the Catholic Church believes that even fetuses should be treated with the same dignity and respect accorded to all human beings. Moreover, in the Bible, the prophet Jeremiah described how God is an instrumental part of the creation of all human beings: "Before I formed you in the Womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you" (Jer 1.5, qtd. in "Standing for the Unborn" 19). Since God is the giver of life, the killing of an unborn child constitutes an offense against God's will. According to devout Catholics such as Mel Gibson, God who wields the ultimate decision-making power over the creation of life should be the only one who makes the decision about who will or will not be born (cited in "Celebrity Quotes on Sex, Life and Abortion"). Abortion shows a lack of respect for the authority of God, and human beings should not try to play God. Finally, abortion undermines the overall well-being of women, especially those wh

Category: Science - A