ABORTION

ABORTION IQ

1. January 1988 the Supreme Court of Canada legalized abortion through which month of pregnancy?

A) 3rd month B) 4th monthC) 6th month D) 9th month

Which age group has the most abortions?

A) 15-19 B) 20-24 C) 25-29 D) 30-34

A developing baby’s heart begins to beat at:A) 21 daysB) 30 daysC) 45 daysD) 60 days

DEFINITION

From the Latin word aboriri = “to perish”

“the loss of a fetal life”

Direct and Indirect abortion

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

COMMON ARGUMENTS FOR/AGAINST

PRO-CHOICESUPPORTING OR ADVOCATING LEGALIZED ABORTION.

PRO-LIFE OPPOSED TO LEGALIZED ABORTION; RIGHT-TO-LIFE

What do you think? 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

What do you think? 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

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 personhoodThe Court ..,.affirming Roe's central holding that a person has a right

to abortion up until viability. The Roe decision defined "viable" as being "potentially able to live outside the mother's womb, albeit with artificial aid," adding that viability "is usually placed at about seven months (28 weeks) but may occur earlier, even at 24 weeks."

Our viewpoint: from moment of conception until our natural death we possess a human life and personhood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RS1ti23SUSw

CANADIAN LAWS

provided on request and funded in hospitals Abortion funding for hospitals comes from

the various provincial governments (their overall health expenses are however paid for in part by the federal government).

One-third of hospitals perform abortions, and these perform two-thirds of abortions in the country

The remaining abortions are performed by public and private-for-profit clinics ie. ) Planned Parenthood

In 2005, 97,254 abortions were performed

This number has been decreasing at least since 1998.

This represents a ratio of about 30 abortions to every 100 live

ADOPTION AS AN OPTION

40 % of pregnancies are unplanned 50% of those unplanned pregnancies

end in adoption Less than 1% put their child up for

adoption

In Canada, Couples can wait up to 10 years International adoption could take 5 years

CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCHDIGNITY OF HUMAN LIFE

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)

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.

“…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)

WHAT DOES SCIENCE SAY?

“By all criteria of molecular biology, life is present from the moment of conception”

Dr. Hymie Gordon, Chairman, Department at Mayo Clinic

“Based on scientific description of fertilization, fusion of egg and sperm in the “moment of conception” generates a new human cell, the zygote, with composition and behavior distinct from that of either gamete. Moreover, this cell is not merely a unique human cell, but a cell with all the properties of a fully complete(albeit immature) human organism; it is “an individual constituted to carry on the activities of life by means of organs separate in function by mutually dependent: a living being” Westchester Institute for Ethics and the Human person

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 Double effect

DOUBLE EFFECT

ethical criteria for evaluating whether an act is allowable when one's otherwise legitimate act will also cause an effect one would normally be obliged to avoid

example relieving a terminally ill patient's pain

ends up resulting in a patient’s death

DOUBLE EFFECT CONDITIONS

1) The act itself must be morally good (or indifferent)

2) The agent may not 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) The good effect cannot arise from the bad effect; otherwise, one would do evil to achieve good.

INDIRECT ABORTION—REMOVAL OF 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

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://teenabortionissues.com/

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

Gianna’s story

9-12 WEEKS ALONG

Unique fingerprints Baby sleeps, awakens and exercises

her muscles by turning her head, curling her toes, and opening and closing her mouth

Mom can’t feel baby but baby is very active

Sex can be visually determined By end of month all organs are

functioning

SUPPORT AND RESOURCES

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

• Back Porch, Birthright (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

ABORTION PERCENTAGE BY COUNTRY

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?!

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

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

REFERENCES

www.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 DarbyshireYouth Update: Abortion (magazine)

EXCISED UTERUS AND DOUBLE EFFECT1) 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