Life and Death: Why Abortion Should Be Illegal

Introduction

Abortion is outlined in many ways, all of which prevent a baby from being born. There are other forms of abortion, including miscarriage, surgical abortion, and medical abortion. People hold varying beliefs about whether abortion is beneficial or harmful. The notion of individuality and human life is not exactly the same. The concept of human life has been considered to begin at conception; however, on the other hand, chemical eggs used for in vitro fertilization are also seen as human lives, yet eggs unable to implant are habitually discarded. Overall, this essay argues that the decision to choose life or death for an unborn baby is cruel, inhumane, and barbaric. Therefore, abortion should be illegal, regardless of the circumstances.

Historical Context and Legal Perspective

Abortion was not widely discussed until it was brought to court in the famous case of Roe v. Wade. In 1996, there were over 1.3 million abortions in the United States alone, but the statistics have been slowly declining; in 2015, there were 638,169 reported cases (Guttmacher Institute, 2016). According to statistics in 2015, women ages 20-29 had a combined total of 58.7% of abortions (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2016). Since 1995, Arizona's strategy has bolstered 30 bills that have been enacted into law to promote a pro-life stance. The article composed by Gail Collins, "Arizona Sort of Helps Out," expresses her passionate opinion on the controversial subject of abortion. She examines the pressing issue of whether abortion should be illegal in Arizona, a topic that has received significant attention in both media and politics. Collins compares abortion to gay rights, identifying them as 'the three hot button issues'.

Moral and Ethical Debate

The debate over abortion is fundamentally a moral issue that has created a division between two groups of people. Generally speaking, the two opposing groups are pro-life and pro-choice. Pro-life includes individuals who do not support abortion and believe that it should be illegal, specifically the Texas Republican Party. Pro-choice includes individuals who support a woman's decision to have an abortion, notably the Texas Democratic Party. One of the many arguments made against abortion is that 'abortion is prima facie wrong because it denies someone a "future like ours" (Marquis, 1989). Those who are pro-life believe a human fetus becomes a person at conception. By having an abortion, a woman is essentially committing murder by ending the life of an innocent human being.

Social and Physical Implications

In the United States, the numbers are significantly higher in the states that are passing the most restrictive abortion laws. Millions suffer from physical injuries and significant bodily changes, such as nerve damage and torn pelvic muscles, after childbirth. Giving birth and raising a child are overwhelming acts of human generosity. Birth is physically difficult; child-rearing can bring significant stress, yet also almost impossible stress and pain. Those politicians who find it acceptable to force this on any woman are acting cruelly, and it is crucial to advocate for the affected women and girls (Smith, 2018).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ethical, moral, and social dimensions of the abortion debate remain complex and deeply divisive. While some view abortion as a necessary option for women, others see it as an act of taking an innocent life. As this essay has argued, the decision to end an unborn life is inherently inhumane and should be legally prohibited in all circumstances. The ongoing dialogue between pro-life and pro-choice advocates continues to shape policies and societal attitudes, underscoring the need for continued discourse and understanding.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Abortion Surveillance — United States, 2013. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/ss/ss6512a1.htm

Guttmacher Institute. (2016). Abortion Incidence and Service Availability in the United States, 2011. Retrieved from https://www.guttmacher.org/report/abortion-incidence-service-availability-us-2011

Marquis, D. (1989). Why Abortion is Immoral. The Journal of Philosophy, 86(4), 183-202.

Smith, J. (2018). The Impact of Abortion Legislation on Women's Health. Journal of Women's Health, 27(7), 876-885.