“ If you wish to uphold basic human justice, you must do so for everyone- not just selectively for the people that your side, your culture, your nation designates as OK.”
Edward Said
The basic beliefs of Pro-life defendants
Human rights for human beings:
Pro-lifers believe that human beings have right since they are alive. Medical research proves that the fetus is a living organism from the moment of conception (Gargaro). During conception, a sperm with 23 chromosomes joins an egg with 23 chromosomes, forming a 46-chromosome cell with all the genetic code (DNA) for a distinct human being. Without sperms or eggs, it would be impossible for the human population to reproduce. Whatever is human, must be human from the beginning, the only factor that impedes a fetus to grow is nutrition.
The terms embryos and fetus refer to a stage of development, just as infant, toddler and adolescent do. Fetus is a Latin term, which means “young one” or “little one”. An individual’s stage of development has nothing to do with their worth as human beings. (Pro-life Action)
The baby is not part of the mother’s body
Although fetuses are dependant on their mother for nutrition, they are not part of their body, and therefore mothers do not have the right to terminate a life that is not theirs. For example, the blood supply for a baby is different from that of the mother’s. Otherwise it would be impossible for the fetuses to have different kinds of blood and genetic code from their mother’s.
They carry a different genetic code from their mother that determines their shoe size, fingerprints, hair and eye color, and several other features.
The fetus is only residing on the mother’s womb for a few months until it is completely developed. Once outside, babies are also dependant on their mother to feed them in order to survive. Wouldn’t it be a crime to let babies die because we do not feed them?
No conflict with women’s rights
Pro-lifers believe that the obligation for support includes the obligation to allow the child the use of the mother’s body for the nine months of pregnancy, expect when continuing pregnancy threatens the mother’s life (Roth).
Parents are responsible for the well being of their children, by virtue of having created the child needs in the first place. Two people engaged voluntarily in an action that they knew beforehand could result in reproduction. The fact that pregnancy is only experienced by women does not negate the obligation of providing the child the use of the mother’s body for nine months.
Religious Beliefs
The Bible teaches the respect of human life, and the disgust of abortion since the moment of conception. Some claim that the Bible does not clearly state that it condemns abortion. These people usually do not believe the Bible to be authoritative. Almost everyone who believes the Bible is authoritative knows that the Bible is the word of God and that it prohibits abortion after conception.
Unplanned pregnancies and child abuse
There is no correlation between unplanned pregnancies and child abuse. A study of 674 beaten children in California found that 91% of the children were wanted, compared to the 63% of the control groups nationally. (Lenowski)
A study by the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect showed that child abuse also increased 500% since abortion was legalized in 1973. The study also cited parental substance abuse as the major factor contributing to abuse other than the “unwanted” status of the child.
Most Americans Oppose It
What really matters in the moral question of abortion are the views of the people. Today, most Americans believe that abortion is a modern change and that it is being accepted as morally right. However, a series of surveys reveal this belief is not accurate at all.
The New York Times, the Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times and Newsweek conducted several polls last year asking under what circumstances abortion should remain legal.
Life/Health of Mother………………………………….90%
Rape/Incest………………………….…………….……75%
Fetal Handicap…………………………………………..65%
Cannot Afford……………………………………. ……..40%
Too Many Children……………………………………..40%
Emotional Strain………………………………………..35%
To Finish School……………………..…………………28%
Not Married………………………………..……………25%
As Birth Control……………………………………….16%
Sex Selection……………………………..……………..2%
Only 1 –2% of abortions conducted fall under the categories supported by the majority of the populations, the other 98%-99% are all opposed by most Americans (Abortion Info Net).
Symptoms of Post-Abortion Syndrome
“People do not understand that there are thousands of serious physical complications from abortion every year in this country”
- Dr. Bernard Nathanson, former abortionist
Among the symptoms of post abortion syndrome common in women are:
? Guilt or desire to become pregnant again
? Depression, sadness (81% reported frequent crying)
? Anger and emotional numbness
? Lowered self stem
? Anorexia or other eating disorders
? Drug or alcohol use (61% increased use of alcohol)
? Sexual problems (69% were sexually inhibited)
? Inability to become pregnant again or premature births
? Shock or coma
? Intense pain
? Thoughts of suicide (65% had thoughts on suicide)
? Damage of organs: muscle damage, damage in uterine wall, scarring
? Death
(Pro-Life America)
“Abortion has a painful aftermath, regardless of the woman’s religious beliefs, or how positive she may have felt beforehand about her decision to abort”
-Vincent Rue, Ph.D. – Psychologist
The Role of Pro-lifers
Pro-lifers have tried to prevent unwanted pregnancies, and to take care of a child and the mother if one occurs. They also provide counseling to pregnant teenagers who feel confused or lose their parental support. They provide women with other solutions other than abortion, such as giving a child to adoption.
Conclusion
The medical community should find safe and effective birth control that would eliminate the need of abortion, and would be a safer option for women. Society should also change their point of view towards pregnancy, seeing it as something natural and being more acceptable for teenagers and women to be pregnant.
Heartbeat. E. Lenowski. Vol 3, No 4, December 1980
Left out: A Have for Progressive Pro-Lifers. Roth, Jen. 9 Jan, 2001. 25 Feb 2001. http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~j-roth/leftout/index.html
Pro-woman, Pro-life: Stop Abortion, Choose Life. Gangaro, Carolyn C. Feb 2001. 25 Feb 2001 http://www.gargaro.com/noabort.html.
Symptoms of Post Abortion Syndrome. Pro-life America. Dec. 1997. http://www.prolife.com/
What People Think. March, 1999. Abortion Info Net. 25 Feb. 2001. http://www.abortioninfo.net/facts/index.html
Why Should You Choose to be Pro-life? 1997. Pro-life Action League. 25 Feb. 2001. http://www.prolifeaction.org/
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