What is Abortion

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What is Abortion

Abortion is the term used to describe the premature expulsion of the

foetus from the womb, or the operation to cause this. It is when a

pregnant woman intentionally gets rid of her child before it is fully

developed.

Abortion is an extremely topical issue and has been practised for many

centuries, although it only became legal in Britain in 1967. This was

because an act was passed to encourage women not to have dangerous

'Back Street Abortions'. People who had no medical experience often

carried these out. The Abortion Act allowed abortions to be carried

out, if two doctors agreed that:

· The mother's life was in danger

· Grave permanent injury to the mother's physical, or mental, health

may occur.

· If there is greater risk of injury to the physical, or mental,

health of the mother, or her existing children than if the pregnancy

was aborted.

· Substantial risk that the child would be born with major physical

and mental disabilities.

No time limit was set, but in general practise it is advised that the

pregnancy shouldn't have passed the 28th week, although this was

reduced to 24 weeks in 1990.

The situations above are all valid reasons for abortion, however there

are many other reasons that women seek abortion, even if the foetus is

perfectly healthy. For instance, if continuing the pregnancy would

destroy, or dramatically change the women's future plans, or if the

women couldn't emotionally or financially support a child. Also, women

are often scared they will reject the child and not want to care for

it, as it was a result of an un-wanted pregnancy. This is extremely

common among...

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...e a right to control their own

fertility and decide when they want a baby. This ensures the child is

very much wanted and can receive both the emotional and financial

support it needs. In many ways, if a mother chooses to have an

abortion, they could be seen to have a pro-life stance, they are

choosing life, their life and ultimately they are the person on the

planet now. Why should they spoil their life for something that

doesn't even really exist? I believe that life begins right at the

moment of birth, not before, so I don't se abortion as cruel or as

murder. It is necessary and a sensible choice in the modern world. If

we have the technology and facilities to allow what, in many cases, is

a life saving procedure then surely we should encourage it, instead of

having a world with many un-wanted and un-loved children.

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