Abortion, in its most common usage, refers to the deliberate early termination of a pregnancy, resulting in the death of the embryo or fetus. Medically, the term also refers to the early termination of a pregnancy by natural causes ("spontaneous abortion" or miscarriage, which ends 1 in 5 of all pregnancies, usually within the first 13 weeks) or to the cessation of normal growth of a body part or organ. What follows is a discussion of the issues related to deliberately induced abortion.
"Morning after or "emergency" contraceptive drugs that are taken within 72 hours of sex interfere with the release of eggs from the ovary or with fertilization, and so are not generally considered to be forms of abortion, though some groups (notably the Roman Catholic Church) consider them to be abortions, because they interfere with implantation of a zygote when taken later. (The medical definition of pregnancy requires that implantation has already occurred so, technically, emergency contraceptives do not interfere with pregnancy. The controversy arises when one considers that conception occurs before implantation. Some believe the zygote is a human being with the same moral standing of an implanted embryo before pregnancy technically starts.)
In the first fifteen weeks, suction-aspiration or vacuum abortion is one of the most common methods, replacing the more risky dilation and curettage (D & C). Manual vacuum aspiration (MVE) consists of emptying the uterus by suction using a manual syringe. From the fifteenth week up until around the eighteenth week a surgical dilation and extraction (D & E) is used. D & E consists of opening the cervix of the uterus and emptying it using surgical instruments and suction.
Dilation and suction curettage consists of emptying the uterus by suction using a special apparatus. Curettage is cleaning the walls of uterus with a curette. Dilation and curettage (D & C) is a standard gynaecological procedure performed for a variety of reasons, such as examination.
As the fetus size increases, other techniques must be used to secure abortion in the third trimester. Premature expulsion of the fetus can be induced with prostaglandin; this can be coupled with injecting the amniotic fluid with saline or urea solution. Very late abortions can be brought about by the controversial intact dilation and extraction (D & X) or a hysterotomy abortion, similar to a caesarian section, and requiring the surgical decompression of the fetus's head before evacuation. (This is the procedure controversially termed "partial-birth abortion").
Abortion has been associated with increased risk of depression. According to a study of 1,884 women conducted by the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, women who did not carry their first pregnancies to term are 65% more likely to be diagnosed with clinical depression around eight years later. However, other studies did not support that depression may be caused by abortion. For example, a study of 2,525 women revealed that women who had an abortion were more likely to report depression or lower satisfaction with their lives. However, they also often reported rape, childhood physical and sexual abuse, and violent partners. After controlling for the history of abuse, partner characteristics, and background variables, abortion was not related to poorer mental health (Denious, J. & Russo, N. F. (2000). The Socio-Political Context of Abortion and its Relationship to Women's Mental Health. In J. Ussher (Ed.). Women's Health: Contemporary International Perspectives (pp. 431-439). London: British Psychological Society.).
Breast cancer: an analysis of 53 epidemological studies undertaken in 16 countries did not find evidence of a relationship between abortion and breast cancer (Breast cancer and abortion. The Lancet, 2004;363;pg 1007).
Abortion has long been a controversial subject throughout history due to its moral and ethical implications. It has been regularly banned and otherwise limited, though illegal abortions have continued to be commonplace in many areas regardless of the legal status. Almost 2/3 of the world’s women currently reside in countries where abortion may be obtained on request or for a broad range of social, economic or personal reasons. Abortion laws vary widely by country, with some countries allowing nearly total liberalization, while others ban abortion under any circumstances.
Planned Parenthood v. Casey U.S. Supreme Court opinion that spousal disclosure of an abortion may not be required by state law, even if the abortion has already occurred, because the prospect of notifying her husband might deter a woman from seeking an abortion. http://laws.findlaw.com/us/505/833.html
Men and Abortion: A Clash of Faulty Rights Sociologist argues that fathers should not make the final abortion decision, but should be notified and given a chance to plead with the mother. http://www.menweb.org/abortion.htm
Father's Rights in the Abortion Decision Testimonials of fathers whose children have been aborted. http://www.priestsforlife.org/postabortion/postabortiontestimonymen.htm
Abortion: When Fathers Can't Protect their Children Article discussing a father's inability to legally protect his unborn children from an abortionist, asserting that state governments intervene in a private situation to ensure that the abortion occurs. http://www.dadsrights.com/ed10.html
A Man's Right to Choose Article by Cathy Young at salon.com, discussing men's reproductive rights, especially with regard to abortion. http://archive.salon.com/mwt/feature/2000/10/19/mens_choice/index.html
Boyfriends and Husbands Use Courts to Block Women's Abortions A pro-choice perspective from the ACLU's "Reproductive Freedom Project" regarding the role of fathers with respect to abortions. http://www.totse.com/en/law/high_profile_legal_cases/abt_blck.html
UK Woman Defies Ex-Boyfriend, Ends Pregnancy Article about Stephen Hone who was forbidden by the British government to protect his unborn child, an 11-week-old fetus, from an abortionist. http://www.cnsnews.com/ForeignBureaus/Archive/200103/For20010326b.html
Male Role is Frequently Crucial in Abortion Decision Article by Thomas Strahan contending that the U.S. Supreme Court has mistakenly assumed that input of husbands or boyfriends is of little importance in abortion decisions. http://www.nrlc.org/news/2002/NRL04/strahan.html
What 'Choice' Do Fathers Have? Article by Isaiah Flair in MensNewsDaily.com discussing the right of fathers to defend their unborn children. http://mensnewsdaily.com/archive/f/f-misc/flair122403.htm
Excerpts from Condemned Abortion Doctor Killer Paul Hill Associated Press quotes Hill as saying: "You don't have to ask the government (for) permission to defend your unborn child or your neighbor's unborn child." http://www.fadp.org/news/TampaBayOnline-20030903.htm
The "A" Word Collection of quotations on the subject of abortion, including excerpts from Supreme Court cases, covering such subjects as a father's right to know. http://members.aol.com/ahyman/aword.html
Abortion Isn't Just a Woman's Issue This essay by Armin Brott argues that men's reproductive rights and emotional needs have been ignored. http://www.menweb.org/throop/child-support/commentary/abort-issue.html
Abortion and Free Speech: Applying the "Prior Restraint" Doctrine to Abortion Law Essay about abortion law and the prior restraint doctrine, asserting that no one should be allowed to prevent abortion before viability, but penalities should sometimes be available after the abortion. http://writ.news.findlaw.com/commentary/20020613_hyman.html
Choice for Men Collection of articles from MetroActive about unwanted fatherhood. http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/11.14.96/cover/dads-9646.html
Choice4Men An online group about the right to become a parent. Or not. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/choice4men/
National Center for Men's Voluntary Fatherhood Project Advocates legalization of choice for fathers. Believes fathers should be allowed to terminate their parental rights and responsibilities during a limited period. http://www.nas.com/c4m/
Paternity by Choice Committed to bringing equality and choice to the world of men's legal reproductive rights and family planning. http://www.paternitybychoice.com/
About D@mn Time: Father's Rights Several people having very different points of view discuss father's rights with respect to abortion. http://www.aboutdamntime.net/archives/2003/01.php#156
Public Agenda: Abortion Quick Takes A non-partisan opinion research organization compares the abortion views of men and women, and also reports that 72 percent of Americans support spousal notification. http://www.publicagenda.org/issues/angles.cfm?issue_type=abortion
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