Abortion- Is It Legal, Safe And Ethical?
Today abortion is being used as a technological mean to control human procreation. Modernity has taught man to subdue natural order by self developed means. Recently we came across headlines in news papers and magazines like “bye-bye baby”, ‘Shaky economy means for some’, ‘abortions on rise as recession hits US families’ and Recession forces to put lives on hold’ etc. It was true also as the states noticed surprising growth in abortion cases. Most abortions were administered earlier in pregnancy. Most of us know that abortion is a big threat to expectant mothers but even then there is gradual increase in abortion cases all around the world. This trend forces us to think: Has the advanced modern science made abortion 100% safe? Is it legal? Is it right morally? This paper is aimed to find out the answers of these questions which are generally left unanswered by most of the social reformers and leaders because of many limitations.
Legal But Clauses Are Ignored
We come across many debates about the increasing number of abortion but most of those are based on the politics or local laws. Laws for abortion differ at large from one state or country to another. Abortion is not totally banned in most of the countries but certainly govts are seriously concerned with the health issues of the women. Abortion can be held legal, if it is performed to save the life of woman or to eliminate the possibility of any other serious complication. In every country courts have defined the right to abortion primarily based on the stages of pregnancy. But almost in every country, uncountable abortions take place unrecorded. In most of the cases, abortion cases are kept as a secret to save social reputation. According to the recent CBS News Poll, 40% people voted for the abortion laws with strict limits. A surprised growth in the nos. of people was noticed who voiced against abortion.
Actual right to abortion varies on the basis of income, health care, geography, social factors and other issues. But who will ultimately decide the justification? Naturally the couple but in most cases aspects like health care and income are overlooked.
Abortion Is Still Not Safe
A wide range of quality contraceptive pills and other pregnancy preventive means are available in the market but many of those are not 100% safe. Sometimes women forget to take contraceptive pills at the recommended period. This results in unwanted pregnancy and ‘abortion’ appears as the cheapest and most convenient method for the erring couples. No doubt, medical science has made considerably progress in last few decades but still we see many mothers suffering with serious side effects of abortion. Bearing a child is not the responsibility of only women, then why only she should suffer. Some women realize the complications months after the abortion. Endometriosis, uterine perforation, asherman syndrome, coexistent ectopic pregnancy, delayed sequelae and pelvic inflammatory are most common complications. Apart from this, women are left alone to face mental depression and social regret.
Abortion Is Morally Wrong
During last few decades, a drastic decline in human values occurred everywhere leaving no tribe and caste. Reasons for compromising with our religious guidelines may be many but many of those are done unwillingly. So, the case is for abortion. Though advancement of medical science, right to women and health care like aspects make the abortion acceptable but still more than 60% woman feel guilt over this act. Why? It is just because our inner person says ‘no’ to abortion and they feel guilty for killing the innocent baby yet to come out to see the light. Moral values related to abortion in medical profession and many continents are yet to be established. Bible clearly says that life begins at conception. Other major religions like hindu, muslim or sikh also dictate that fetus is a Person with Rights like us.
Gender Based Abortion- Against Ethical And Moral Values
It is surprising that in some countries like Sweden abortion carried out primarily because of gender of fetus is legal. At federal level too, there is no law prohibiting or discouraging gender based abortion. Recent introduction of Susan B. Anthony/Frederick Douglass Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act prohibiting discrimination against unborn on gender base came as a much relief for the social thinkers. Many countries are witnessing considerably unbalance in girls and boys ratio. For example in China, where couples are allowed to have only one child, millions of men remain bachelors just because of the shortage of girls. Other countries like India are also hearing sound of ‘social deformation’ bells. So, should we wait till it is too late?
Should Abortion Be Outlawed On Ethical Grounds?
Who does care for the sentiments of woman who suffers mentally and physically both? Even the medical professionals ‘ethically’ accept that fetus is a person but they carry on abortion just because of the demand of their profession. Most male partners don’t see abortion as a serious matter because they don’t have emotional feelings and attachment for fetus. Are they too not responsible for the
risks; their partner faces during and after abortion? In most cases, women are considered entirely responsible for using birth controlling measures. I and most you too will think it ethically wrong. So it is joint responsibility to avoid any chances of abortion. Otherwise, there is no wrong in declaring abortion as punishable act on ethical grounds.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, commercial progress has taught us to compromise with our ethical, moral and religious values. Today, we are ready to eliminate anything immediately that may be inconvenient. If abortion can be one legal way to justify the murder on pretext of health issues, we will find certainly others too. Seeing abortion as the most convenient and sought option, women seem just like a repairable sex machine. Good news is that women are realizing these facts. The associations like National Women’s Coalition for Life (703-960-4519) are coming forward to highlight the realities hidden underneath the conceptions like: ‘Abortion is a woman’s right’.
Abortion may be a solution of the problem but it harms more that it helps.
There are various theories proving abortion right or wrong but almost 90% people ‘internally’ accept that abortion can’t be justified ethically and morally.
It is the time to come upon a common global platform to raise voice against gender based abortion forgetting our geographical, religious or financial differences.
