The History of Abortion - 2408 Words

Abortion is the process of intentionally ending a pregnancy. Abortion touches the hearts of many because its consequences result in the loss of a human life. Its controversy stems from the fact that people’s opinions on this matter are rooted in their value systems, religious beliefs, and political socialization. Its prominence in political discussions today is likely to continue given the relationship between unwanted pregnancies and overpopulation. There is often debate about the constitutionality of abortion, as it is not specifically addressed by any doctrine. As a result, there has never been an explicit national law enacted. This paper will explore the many facets of abortion. For organizational purposes, it will first provide†¦show more content†¦This method is highly controversial and even illegal in some states. As a last resort, a hysterectomy may be performed. In this process, incisions are made in the abdomen and the fetus is removed. In some cases, the baby has been born alive in spite of using this method. Constitutionality of Abortion The first major case in the scope of abortions was Griswold v. Connecticut in 1964. In this case, the Supreme Court ruled that a state’s ban on the use of contraceptives to prevent pregnancy violated a married couple’s right to privacy. Estelle Griswold, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood of Connecticut, was found guilty of providing illegal contraceptives and appealed the case to the Supreme Court. The law did not only apply to married couples, but also unmarried as well. It was also called into question under the jurisdiction that it violated justice and liberty rights of an individual. The main argument in this case overall was the violation of a couple’s right to privacy. Although this case is not directly associated with abortion, it was an important staple in establishing a â€Å"couples right to privacy† and contradicting catholic views about sexual health and contraceptives. The most well known case in the progression of abortion laws has been Roe v. Wade in 1973. This was a case in which the Supreme Court ruled that states could not enact abortion laws that prohibited a woman from getting an abortion unlessShow MoreRelatedThe History of Abortion764 Words   |  4 PagesAbortion is a medical practice to terminate a womans pregnancy in the first 3 months. The history of abortion starts father before the pinnacle case of Roe v Wade in 1973. The supreme court made it legal to get an abortion and this is seen as an important turning point for the american health care policies for women. Before this court case to render it legal it had been performed for thousands of years and in every society known. It was legal when settlers first came to the united states beforeRead More History Of Abortion Essay1019 Words   |  5 Pages The History of Abortion nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy before birth. An abortion results in the death of the embryo or fetus and may be either spontaneous or induced. For years, abortion has been an extremely controversial subject. The history of abortion reaches back not just decades, but centuries, and even milleniums. Today, policies regarding legal abortion in the U.S. is being debated everywhere. Many myths and misconceptionsRead MoreThe History of Abortion and Its Effects2555 Words   |  11 PagesAbortion is the conclusion of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. It can also happen unconsciously, which is known as a â€Å"miscarriage.† For centuries the Church accepted abortion and the law did not punish it. Anti-abortion laws began in the United States in the 19th century and in the 20th century many states banished abortion. Abortion laws have been passed for many reasons such as the concern for womenà ¢â‚¬â„¢s health, the need of medical professionRead MoreA Quick History Of Abortion Pills1218 Words   |  5 Pagesquick history of abortion pills and how they came to be comes from WebMD. The top drug used for abortions is mifepristone also known as RU-486. Testing of the drug began in 1983 when the FDA issued a permit. Jan. 1993 President Clinton asked for the FDA to reconsider their import ban. In 1994-1995 the Population Council the U.S. patent rights for mifepristone, and clinical trials began. In September 1996 the FDA issued an approval for RU-486 to be used as a safe alternative to surgical abortion, butRead MoreAbortion : A Long And Dangerous History1532 Words   |  7 PagesAbortion has had a long and dangerous history that is seldomly talked about even today. Recently recognized as a right to women and their bodies, abortion was not an option for most women in the nineteenth century. Prior to Roe v. Wade, there was a system designed to give men control over women†™s biological nature to have children. This created legislation that allowed men to dictate when the birthing process would occur, giving men power over their children and wives. Legislation aimed at women’sRead MoreEssay on History of Abortion508 Words   |  3 Pagesv. Wade Supreme Court decision in 1973, Abortion has changed its course in society. With the new decision made by the United States, abortion was now legal. Many abortions were performed before the Supreme Court decision, but the settlement made it less risky for the doctors involved. Abortion has caused society to be divided by a pro-choice group and pro-life group. Two groups with struggles that will never end. There are many different types of abortions that can be preformed. The type used dependsRead MoreA Look Into Abortion s History1322 Words   |  6 PagesA Look Into Abortion’s History Prior to 1970 abortions were illegal in the United States. It was then when the now popular Roe v. Wade case took place which saw the Supreme Court make any laws regarding the prevention of early-stage abortions unconstitutional. An abortion can be defined as an early termination of an unwanted pregnancy. As a topic of controversy there are many aspects of abortion that are constantly being debated. For example, moral and legal obligations, support from federal andRead MoreAbortion Throughout History Essay2297 Words   |  10 PagesAbortion Has No Excuse Abortion has taken the lives of more than 50 million babies since 1973 (â€Å"About Abortion†). The issue of abortion is one of the most common controversial issues in American politics and culture. In modern society, many women that have an unintended pregnancy and they result to abortion without researching other options. Abortion is not a substitute for birth control and this issue should be taken seriously. The individual woman needs to understand that by agreeing to have anRead MoreEssay on History of Abortion in the United States963 Words   |  4 Pages1820 abortion was legal and practiced, despite the fact that it was a dangerous procedure and more often than not resulted in the death of the mother. it wasnt until after 1821 that abortion started to become regulated and laws were set in place (lewis 2011). in 1879 the first law to be set up was in Connecticut, it was targeted towards merchants that sold poisons to cause miscarriages and drugs to prevent pregnancy and banned the use of the products. By the late 1800s even though abortion was illegalRead More History Of Abortion In The Court Essay1592 Words   |  7 Pages Abortion. The word alone provokes strong emotion in both women and men alike. Roe v. Wade was decided twenty five years ago, but still the fight is not over. Instead, there are mass rallies, bombings of abortion clinics, murders of doctors and workers at such clinics, intimidation, arrest, political lobbying, and numerous Supreme Court cases. What is it that divides families, and keeps old friends from speaking to one another on the topic? Why are opinions so polarized and why are minds so closed