Morality of Abortion

Pregnancy is by definition temporary; terminating a pregnancy prematurely by means of abortion does not prevent birth, it prevents live birth. Abortion reduces the gestation period, and destroys a human fetus, which would otherwise develop into a human being. 

While we must be cautious not to deny the public civil liberty, we must be wary of valuing a personal freedom above human life.  Although a women should have the right to do as she pleases with her own body, this cannot extend to the ability to terminate a human organism.  Abortion must be reserved solely as a medical procedure for cases in which carrying a fetus to term would pose a significantly elevated health risk to the mother.  It should not be used as an alternative to live birth when a mother does not desire to raise a child.

Birthing a child does not necessitate raising the child. Adoption remains a viable option for those who do not wish to rear a child. While there are those who will cite a financial strain on the public for children who go unadopted, we cannot place a monetary value on human life.  Of course some will question the extent of care given to children who do not manage placement with surrogate parents, and are raised in foster homes, group homes, or orphanages.  While it is certain the vast majority of these children would have benefited greatly by being adopted, and it is unfortunate that they were not; it is highly unlikely even one would prefer to have been aborted in the womb.

Medical science has improved to the level that many abnormalities can be detected prior to birth.  It is felt by some that abortion should be an option in cases which it is likely a child will be born with varying degrees of genetic handicaps.  We should not value a relatively normal fetus likely not to be born with any defects more than a fetus determined to likely be physically, mentally, or genetically abnormal.  The handicapped have as much right to life as anyone else, even if their lifespan is unlikely to be as long as the average, or as qualitative.  Although in some cases it might mean an additional financial, and emotional strain on the parent(s); all  children are a financial, and emotional strain on their parent(s).  Furthermore, the state often aids in subsidizing the medical expenditures of minors when the parent(s) are incapable of solely carrying the finical obligations of health care.     

Pregnancy resulting from an incident of rape is not common, only a few hundred cases are reported each year.  Many of the women who are victims of rape and become pregnant choose not to abort the fetus, however the rate of abortion is higher under these circumstances.  The unborn child should not be held accountable for the crimes of the father.  Unless carrying the child to term would have a detrimental and life-threating effect on the mother's mental health due to carrying the child of her attacker, termination of the pregnancy should not be necessary. 

Through abstinence the possibility of an undesirable pregnancy can be eliminated almost entirely, and with the use of modern contraceptive methods the chance of pregnancy can be greatly reduced.  The primary biological purpose of intercourse is reproduction.  Over the last few decades however, sexual relations have been emphasized as a pleasurable leisure activity by popular culture; with decreasing regard for its' natural purpose, particularly in the West.  That is not to say that sex should not be an enjoyable form of intimacy between two people, but that such a relationship should not be entered into as nonchalantly as it so often is among today's youth.

The right to life is a fundamental human right, not a privilege which may be permitted to be taken away.  Abortion must be reserved solely as a life saving medical procedure.  Should a medical doctor determine that allowing a pregnancy to continue would pose a significantly elevated mental, or physical health risk, the option to terminate the pregnancy must be available.