Abortion

Common Arguments For/Against

Pro-Choice• 1st trimester when fetus cannot

support itself• Personhood differs from human

life• Adoption is not an alternative—

remains the woman’s choice• Safe medical procedure• Cause further psychological harm

in hard cases• Personal autonomy is a civil right• Teenage parents have grim

prospects

Pro-Life• Life begins at conception• No civilization allows

intentional harm w/o punishment—law must protect the most basic human rights

• Adoption• Medical complications• Proper support for hard cases• Not a form of contraception• Procedure risks

When does human life begin?• Common source of debate for the abortion issue• Aristotle: men—40 days after conception;

women—80 days after conception• Roe v. Wade: fetus is only a potential person and

is not accorded civil rites under the constitution• Self-consciousness, rationality, autonomy are

required to possess personhood• Catholics: from moment of conception until our

natural death we possess a human lifehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS1ti23SUSw

Catechism of the Catholic Church

2270 Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized

as having the rights of a person -- among which is the inviolable right of every innocent

being to life.– Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and

before you were born I consecrated you. (72)

Church’s Stance

• ALWAYS a grave evil• Forbidden in scripture and Tradition• Consider the conservation of human dignity• “…direct abortion, that is, abortion willed as

an end or as a means, always constitutes a grave moral disorder, since it is the deliberate killing of an innocent human being.” (Evangelium Vitae 62)

Catechism of the Catholic Church

2274 Since it must be treated from conception as a person, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being.

Definition

• From the Latin word aboriri = “to perish”• “the loss of a fetal life”

• Direct and Indirect abortion

Indirect Abortion

• The evacuation is not the intended or directly willed result, but the side effect, of some legitimate procedure

• As such it is morally allowable– Only two acceptable occasions

Indirect Abortion and the Double Effect

• A rule of conduct frequently used in moral theology to determine when a person may lawfully perform an action from which two effects will follow, one bad, and the other good

• Theologians commonly teach that four conditions must be verified in order that a person may legitimately perform such an act

Double Effect Conditions

1) The act itself must be morally good (or indifferent)2) The agent may not positively will the bad effect (but

may merely permit it). If he could attain the good effect without the bad effect, he should do so.

3) In other words, the good effect must be produced directly by the action, not by the bad effect. (Otherwise, the agent would be using a bad means to a good end)

4) The good effect must be sufficiently desirable to compensate for the allowing of the bad effect.

Indirect Abortion—Excised Uterus

• A pregnant uterus is removed because its condition is medically necessary

• There is a living and nonviable fetus– The death of the fetus is a secondary effect and

therefore is not directly attacked

Excised Uterus AND Double Effect

1) Surgeon intends to save the mother’s life (while it is clear the fetus will die, that is not the intention)

2) Surgeon’s act consists of removing a diseased part of the body which is jeopardizing the mother’s life—presence of the fetus does not alter the nature of the act

3) The evil effect (death of the fetus) does not cause the good effect (saving the mother)

4) Safeguarding the mother’s health is a proportionately grave reason for permitting the death of the fetus

Indirect Abortion—Tubal Ectopic Pregnancy

• Fertilized ovum lodges in part of the Fallopian tube

• The implanted embryo perforates the tube and hemorrhaging begins

• The growing fetus will eventually rupture the tube—this may kill the mother if surgery isn’t performed

Tubal Ectopic Pregnancy: Removing the Fetus vs. Removing the Fallopian Tube• Splitting the Fallopian and removing the fetus

would be gravely evil—direct attack on the fetus– The surgeon sets up to destroy the fetus as a

means of curing the mother

• Removing the entire tube if it is in a gravely dangerous condition or has ruptured is morally acceptable

Excised Tube and Double Effect

1) Surgeon intends to save the mother’s life (while it is clear the fetus will die, that is not the intention)

2) Surgeon’s act consists of removing a diseased part of the body which is jeopardizing the mother’s life—presence of the fetus does not alter the nature of the act

3) The evil effect (death of the fetus) does not cause the good effect (saving the mother)

4) Safeguarding the mother’s health is a proportionately grave reason for permitting the death of the fetus

When Health Isn’t a Morally Licit Reason

• If the mother has a pre-existing condition where pregnancy will cause grave health concerns, abortion is not morally acceptable

• If the deceased organ does not pose a grave and immediate risk

Direct Abortion

• A destruction of the product of human conception, whether before or after implantation in the womb.

• Intended either as an end in itself or as a means to an end.

http://vimeo.com/6101252

Interesting Stats (USA)• ~6 million women become pregnant per year• ~1.2 million women have an abortion• In 2005, 22% of all pregnancies ended in abortion

(USA)• 54% of women who had an abortion in 2005, used

some form of contraception (USA)

• 9/10 abortions are performed in the first 12 weeks (1st trimester)

• 30% of pregnant teens have an abortion– 60% of their parents know about it (most support it)

Common Justifications for Abortion

• Birth control failure• Inability to support or care for a child• End an unwanted pregnancy• Fetal abnormalities• Rape/incest• Mother’s health***Less than 6% of abortions are a result of the

final three justifications.***Commonly used as justifications because of the

emotional weight they hold

Fetal Abnormalities

• Amniocentesis: tests a sample of amniotic fluid for abnormalities (i.e. Down’s Syndrome, spina bifida, etc.)– Performed after the 1st trimester

• Regardless of abnormalities, the fetus (and baby) have intrinsic human value

• 1% of abortions are related to fetal abnormalities

Rape and/or Incest

• Does a person’s value change based on their physical condition or the circumstances of their conception???

• We should not give a baby a death sentence for something it did not do

• The woman is often forced to hold on to the evil of rape in order to justify the guilt of the abortion (prevents healing from occurring)

• 1% of abortion cases are related to rape/incest

Mother’s Health

• Indirect abortion=morally accepted

• Any other reason is morally unacceptable

• 3% of abortion cases related to mother’s health

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPF1FhCMPuQ

Support and Resources

• Organizations designed to offer support during the decision making process and after

• Back Porch (Edmonton, AB) offers counselling and various educational resources– For men and women!!

• Specialized schools and day cares for teens

• Over 5000 abortions are performed each year in Edmonton

Statistics (USA)

• In 2005, 22% of all pregnancies ended in abortion

• 54% of women who had an abortion in 2005, used some form of contraception

• More than 12,000 abortions in Alberta (2008)• More than 105,000 abortions in Canada

(2000)• By age 45, 1 in 2.5 women have had an

abortion

Abortion Percentage by Country

Canada: 1970-2004

Canadian Statistics 2004

• Teenagers accounted for 17% of abortions• Age 20-29 accounted for 53% of abortions• 304 abortions performed on girls 14 or

younger• Since legalization in 1969, 2,790,166 fetuses

have been aborted (doesn’t account for Morning After Pill)– One of the contributing factors to our declining

fertility rate

Statistics Con’t

• Abortion rates have dropped over the passed decade.– What may account for this decline?

• Teenage pregnancy rates have also dropped

• Did you know that regardless of your position on abortion your tax dollars help pay for the procedures?!

Accessibility of Abortions

• Hospitals and private clinics across Canada• Less than half of abortions are done in clinics– 21 abortion clinics in Canada—ON(13), ON(4),

QB(4), AB(2), NF(1), NB(1), MB(1)

• 116/713 hospitals perform abortions (16%)

Abortion in Canada Timeline1969: decriminalize abortions done by a doctor in a

hospital- w/in a couple of years publically funded

1973-74: Private clinic set up in Montreal; after a series of arrests, Henry Morgentaler is no longer charged for the procedure.

1974: > 1 million signatures for the protection of the unborn

1989: First father denied abortion prevention (now men cannot prevent it)

1991: no legal consequences for two women who aborted a child who was partial birthed

Timeline Con’t

1992: after a failed abortion, mother is given a $3.5 million settlement

1994: Pregnant women are recruited for medical abortion trials

1999: Nurses at Markham Stouffville Hospital are allowed to decline assisting doctors

1999: Morning after pill is approved by Health Canada2007: Alberta MP Ken Epp introduces a bill that would

make it a separate crime to injure or kill a fetus in the course of an attack. An exemption for women who consent to abortion is included. Bill wasn’t passed.

Physical Health Effects

• Increase with gestational age past 8 weeks• Complications may be immediate or may take

years to show up• Short term: infection of the endometrium,

hemorrhage, lacerations, convulsion, saline poisoning, uterine rupture, mortality

• Long term: breast cancer and infertility• Risk in future pregnancies: pre-term birth,

ectopic pregnancy

Psychological Effects of Abortion

• Likelihood of depression and anxiety disorders– Especially high for those who have been coerced

• Common psychological health problems: anxiety, depression, drug abuse, PTSD, sexual dysfunction, sleep problems, suicidal ideation

Methods of Abortion

• Induced abortion: active removal of the human embryo or fetus before 20 weeks

• Surgical abortion: using surgical instruments

• Medical abortion: using pharmaceutical drugs

Male Rights

• Men cannot prevent their partners (gf/wife) from having an abortion done

• They can prevent a baby being placed for adoption

Testimony: http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=0d7ef373b14258fc1140

Pro-Choice Advocates

• Believe it is up to the women to decide what should or should not be done with her body (radical personal autonomy)– Note the lack of the man’s choice and the lack of

the baby’s choice

• Often associated with feminist ideology• May say “I wouldn’t get an abortion, but

others should have the right to choose.”

Pro Life Advocates

• Anyone who ALWAYS chooses the preservation of life over the destruction of it

• Not just a Christian perspective• Actively promote life through discussion,

actions and prayer– NEVER use images of aborted fetuses to promote

the cause = OBJECTIFICATIONhttp://www.tangle.com/view_video?

viewkey=499457c7320750efbf51

Pro Life Not Just For Christians

• LDS: "elective abortion for personal or social convenience is contrary to the will and the commandments of God.”

• Hinduism: Unless a mother's health is at risk, traditional Hindu teachings condemn abortion because it is thought to violate the religion's teachings of non-violence. The general value system of Hinduism teaches that the correct course of action in any given situation is the one that causes the least harm to those involved.

Other Religions Con’t

• Islam: at 4 months a fetus has a soul—abortion is not permissible at this point– Most argue that before 4 months it should only

occur if the mother’s life is at risk or in cases of rape

• Judaism: safe-guard life and well-being of a mother– Some denominations advocate for safe and

accessible abortion

Other Religions con’t

• Protestants: official stance differs between denominations (many are pro-choice or have various “exceptions”)

• Buddhists: no official teaching; believe life starts at conception and that killing is morally wrong

• Sikhism: Life starts at conception; very strict stance against abortion

***Consider political and cultural impacts on abortion views

How you can get involved…

• Understand the issue and recognize where your stance comes from

• Support and/or volunteer at Back Porch or other support organizations

• Life Chain and other various activities• Prayer

Referenceswww.catholic.comwww.catholicculture.orgwww.ewtn.com/library/PROFILE/INDIRECT.TXTwww.trosch.orgwww.women.webmd.comwww.pewforum.org/Abortion/Religious-Groups-Official-

Positions-On-Abortion.aspxwww.johnstonarchive.net/policy/abortionwww.abortionincanada.ca“Pro-Life Versus Pro-Choice: Understanding the Moral Evil of

Abortion Issues” by Elizabeth DriedgerYouth Update: Abortion (magazine)