Abortion: A Controversial Issue
For years, abortion has been an
extremely controversial subject. One
important aspect of the controversy is
whether a woman should be permitted
by law to have an abortion and, if so,
under what circumstances. Another
is whether, and to what extent laws
should protect the unborn. People who
wish to legally limit or forbid abortions
describe themselves as pro–life. Those
who believe that a woman should have
the right to have an abortion may refer
to themselves as pro–choice.
Arguments against abortion are
based on the belief that an abortion
is the unjusti ed killing of an unborn
child. Most people who oppose abortion
believe that human life begins when
a sperm fertilises an egg. Another
argument against abortion is that laws
allowing it on demand will increase
irresponsible pregnancies and lead to
disrespect for human life. The Roman
Catholic Church is a chief opponent
of abortion. Conservative branches of
other religions also oppose abortion.
Many people approve of abortion
under certain circumstance. Some
approve of abortion if a woman’s life or
health is endangered by her pregnancy.
Others recommend abortion when
there is danger that the child will be
born with a serious mental or physical
defect. They also approve of abortion
when pregnancy has resulted from rape
or incest.
Many people who think that a
woman should have the right to choose
to have an abortion distinguish between
human life and personhood. They
argue that personhood implies both
the capacity for self-conscious thought
and acceptance as a member of a social
community. These people believe a fetus
is not a person and is thus not entitled to
rights normally given to a person. Such
pro–choice supporters agree with the
view that birth represents the beginning
of personhood.
Another pro–choice argument is
that legalising abortions has eliminated
many illegal abortions performed by
unskilled practitioners under unsanitary
conditions. These abortions often cause
deaths and permanent reproductive
injuries. Abortion on demand also
prevents many unwanted births and
may thus be a factor in lowering infant
and child abuse, neglect, and death
rates. Also some argue that women
should not have to bear unwanted
children in a world with a growing
population and diminishing natural
resources.
As a result of this controversy,
abortion laws vary from country to
country. In Russia, where abortion has
been legal since 1920, it is allowed up to
about the fourth month of pregnancy,
purely by request, and is commonly
used as a method of birth control. In
some countries, such as the Philippines,
Indonesia, and Bangladesh, abortion
is only allowed when pregnancy
threatens the mother’s life. South Africa,
New Zealand, and Hong Kong allow
abortion when the fetus is severely
damaged. In the Republic of Ireland,
the operation may only be performed
when either the mother’s or baby’s life
is in danger.
Taken from The World Book Encyclopedia, 2007
Works in pairs. Copy the following table and then ll
it out based on the text in .
Controversial issue:
Reasons against:
Reasons for:
Conclusion:
For years, abortion has been an
extremely controversial subject. One
important aspect of the controversy is
whether a woman should be permitted
by law to have an abortion and, if so,
under what circumstances. Another
is whether, and to what extent laws
should protect the unborn. People who
wish to legally limit or forbid abortions
describe themselves as pro–life. Those
who believe that a woman should have
the right to have an abortion may refer
to themselves as pro–choice.
Arguments against abortion are
based on the belief that an abortion
is the unjusti ed killing of an unborn
child. Most people who oppose abortion
believe that human life begins when
a sperm fertilises an egg. Another
argument against abortion is that laws
allowing it on demand will increase
irresponsible pregnancies and lead to
disrespect for human life. The Roman
Catholic Church is a chief opponent
of abortion. Conservative branches of
other religions also oppose abortion.
Many people approve of abortion
under certain circumstance. Some
approve of abortion if a woman’s life or
health is endangered by her pregnancy.
Others recommend abortion when
there is danger that the child will be
born with a serious mental or physical
defect. They also approve of abortion
when pregnancy has resulted from rape
or incest.
Many people who think that a
woman should have the right to choose
to have an abortion distinguish between
human life and personhood. They
argue that personhood implies both
the capacity for self-conscious thought
and acceptance as a member of a social
community. These people believe a fetus
is not a person and is thus not entitled to
rights normally given to a person. Such
pro–choice supporters agree with the
view that birth represents the beginning
of personhood.
Another pro–choice argument is
that legalising abortions has eliminated
many illegal abortions performed by
unskilled practitioners under unsanitary
conditions. These abortions often cause
deaths and permanent reproductive
injuries. Abortion on demand also
prevents many unwanted births and
may thus be a factor in lowering infant
and child abuse, neglect, and death
rates. Also some argue that women
should not have to bear unwanted
children in a world with a growing
population and diminishing natural
resources.
As a result of this controversy,
abortion laws vary from country to
country. In Russia, where abortion has
been legal since 1920, it is allowed up to
about the fourth month of pregnancy,
purely by request, and is commonly
used as a method of birth control. In
some countries, such as the Philippines,
Indonesia, and Bangladesh, abortion
is only allowed when pregnancy
threatens the mother’s life. South Africa,
New Zealand, and Hong Kong allow
abortion when the fetus is severely
damaged. In the Republic of Ireland,
the operation may only be performed
when either the mother’s or baby’s life
is in danger.
Taken from The World Book Encyclopedia, 2007
Works in pairs. Copy the following table and then ll
it out based on the text in .
Controversial issue:
Reasons against:
Reasons for:
Conclusion:
More Questions From This User See All
reasons against : some people against it because they think that abortion is just unjustified killing of an unborn
child.
reasons for: Most people who oppose abortion
believe that human life begins when
a sperm fertilises an egg. Another
argument against abortion is that laws
allowing it on demand will increase
irresponsible pregnancies and lead to
disrespect for human life
conclusion :abortion laws vary from country to
country.