Pro-life and Pro-choice

This is a paper I had done for and English class as a debate:

There are many things to think about when it comes to the decisions that revolve around abortion. Whether you are pro-life or pro-choice there are many things that make the debate. Religion is one of the biggest things that controls this debate. Ethics and morals are another thing that can decide your position. What constitutes the rights for an abortion, is it justified and safe for a woman? As the debate of pro-life and pro-choice continues to proceed on, we wonder, Is abortion the ending of an unborn fetus life?

Life begins at fertilization. This is when the male sperm and the female ovum come together to form 46 new chromosomes out of their starting 23. (Almond) “Some believe that even though there may be life, or potential life, or however one wants to refer to the fetus, that denying a women the right to an abortion is denying her control of her body.” (Williams 39) This is one of the main concerns of a woman in the debate of abortion. Are pro-life views denying her the right to her own body? The fetus is growing as it is fertilized and when it plants itself in the wall of the uterine lining. This embryo or fetus is living and has its primary senses. “It isn’t “potential” human life, or some “other” type of life because something non-human does not magically become human… whatever is human must be a human from the beginning.” (Williams 37-8) With abortion the mother takes the right of life away from the unborn. This fetus is a temporary resident. It lives inside a mother for them to grow and be able to move and function as a human body does. They are there for support to get nutrients and other vital things to life. “ Just because the unborn is independent on the mother for nine months, does not give anyone the right to choose to end its life?” (Williams 39)

Should people be able to kill a developing fetus? Being unborn does not mean you are not human. Protecting the rights of these beings, that are independent on the mother is crucial. What in this debate is really morally and ethically wrong.? The two sides have very many points that can be brought about in this debate. Whether you think abortion is wrong or think banning abortion is taking the right, away from the women, there are two different viewpoints. Who is losing the rights the unborn fetus or the women?

The loser in this ethical sea change will be those who are elderly, poor, disabled, and politically marginalized. None of these pass the utility test; and yet, they at least have a presence. They at least have the possibility of organizing to be heard. Those who are unborn, infirm, and terminally ill have no such advantage. They have no “utility,” and worse, they have no voice. As we tinker with our own identity as a free nation dedicated to the dignity of the human person…(Williams 19)

It can be argued that both parties in this case are losing something. On one hand the unborn is losing its life and on the opposing hand the women is losing the right to decide for her body own body. There are women that have hard beliefs on both sides, but who is right? Who is going to fight for the women and the fetus? It is those who are having the child that should be standing for the right of the unborn.

Not all pro-life are in the same boat in certain cases. One thing we need to ask ourselves is, Is it okay to take away the right to an abortion of those women who have suffered rape, have had inbred relations, and or are even dying . Should certain cases be justified or should we just ban it for everyone. “However, when it came to the separate question of whether abortion should be legal, the survey found that a majority of Americans-- 53 percent-- believe that abortion should be legal “under certain circumstances.”” (According to the poll, majority is pro-life 2009) This case is fought on both sides for this one position. Women should be respected for her ability to make the moral and ethical reproductive decision. On the other hand, What is justified in the death of an unborn fetus. “.... every living human being, born or pre-born has the certain inherent right to keep one’s own life and to live free from abuse.” (Gay 69)

“In the early 1960s some physicians began to press state legislature to form laws that permitted abortion only when the pregnant woman’s life would otherwise be endangered.” (Luker 2000) Is this procedure safe for a woman and her inborn to undergo? There are many things that make this hard to determine. While abortion can have no effects at all there have been many reported cases that point to physical trauma and even mental anguish. Any type of surgery or medical procedure if not done right can lead to complications. Nancy Jo Mann, a young woman had gotten the bad end of the spectrum. Mann had a horrible feeling and eventually got an infection that lead to a hysterectomy. Nancy Jo Mann said, “Beforehand, I liked myself. I had never entertained the idea of abortion. But the minute that needle went through my abdomen, I hated it, because I knew it could not be reversed. I wanted to scream, ‘Don’t do this to me!”(National right to life: Protecting life in America since 1968 80)

Though it is not certain whether you will be a lucky one or not, there is always the opportunity for disaster. Is the percentage high enough to risk this?

“Pro-choice and pro-life factions continue to clash in court, on the streets, and in the media.” (Almond 14) As these opposing sides clash in the debate of pro-life and pro-choice. We need to consider both sides. This topic raises questions of morality, justification and safeness. Ethical values can determine the path taken in this political, medical, and personal debate. With its many outcomes, it can cause issues directly and indirectly with people everywhere. This is not meant to persuade anyone to choose a specific side, but when it comes to the abortion process, Would you be able to abort an unborn child?

Do not take offence to this, it is my opinion and I would like for someone to respect my thoughts as I would respect yours. Thank you.