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A Woman’s Prerogative
Since the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision limited the restrictions on abortion, it has become one of our nation’s most controversial issues due to people’s personal views. Outlawing abortion would have the effect of imposing one person’s moral values on another. If the courts were to make the decision for women, it would take away a sense of their autonomy by not allowing them to make a decision that better suits their unique circumstances. Women should take abortion seriously because there are many health risks involved, not to mention the lifelong effects that accompany it. Now that women have the right to choose to have an abortion, the government should take the responsibility to offer information and medical consultation to everyone in need. Providing these services would enable individuals to make informed, responsible decisions and possibly lower the rate of irrational, unnecessary abortions.
The definition of when life begins is the root of most controversy concerning abortion. An individual’s religious beliefs and moral values govern their stance on abortion and their definition of life. Pro-life activists argue that life begins at the time of conception, but there are no biological facts that are interpreted to support this argument. The law does not pinpoint birth as the moment at which personhood begins, contradicting this pro-life argument. Therefore, if “life” were defined as beginning at conception, then abortion would be the crime of murder. Pregnant women’s bodies, rights, and health would be subordinated to the protection of the embryo with the exception for terminating the pregnancy due to the health of the mother. Therefore, very few abortions would be permitted, and the legal consequences of such an amendment would be catastrophic.
Many pro-life activists argue the moral value of the fetus. It is impossible in practice to grant equal moral rights to fetuses without denying those same rights to women....