Abortion Low

Abortion Law - comprehensive source for the law regarding abortion. Includes links to primary sources and uncommon or hard to find abortion-related legal materials.
"Making the decision to terminate a pregnancy or to bring a fetus to term is by far the most wrenching experience I've ever had. The right to choose is not a luxury; it is a responsibility that demands intense introspection and awareness." S. Boyd 5 "It is equally as heinous intentionally to kill a human being in existence at fertilization, as to kill a larger pre-born child." Nellie Gray. 7
What is the question?: There are really two, different, very active abortion questions:
  1. If a woman finds herself pregnant, what it the best (or least worse) solution for her and the potential newborn that she is carrying? to do nothing, have the baby and raise it herself (hopefully with help from others). to do nothing, have the baby and give it up for adoption ,to have an abortion.
  2. If a woman finds herself pregnant, discusses her options with her physician or counselor, and decides to have an abortion, should the state over-ride her decision and prevent her from having an abortion?
The first decision is a personal one, between the woman, her physician and/or counselor. The second decision has been answered by the U.S. Supreme Court: she has the right to obtain an abortion. It is in this second area where there is a great deal of political activity, at least in the U.S.
How often: In the United States, women choose to end about 25% of their pregnancies through abortion. 1 This number has been gradually declining since 1979. This is similar to the Canadian figure of 21%, 2 but is much lower than that of the former Soviet Union (60%) and Romania (78%) where contraceptives are in short supply. Opposing beliefs: A social consensus exists among pro-lifers and pro-choicers that when human personhood starts, the person must be protected. Many religions, organizations and individuals have passionately held...