Abortion. Should it be illegal? Or not?

[amyrouse]

So what, 18 weeks? 20 weeks? Babies have lived as early as 16 weeks.

3 weeks a hearbeat is detected
6 weeks brain waves and kicking is started.

You would be ok with a 1st term abortion but not 2nd or 3rd?

I have no problems with abortions that were decided upon by a woman and a qualified physician.  Every case is different.  My concern is with the people who are already outside of the womb... were I to get pregnant again, my priority would be the daughter I already have should complications arise with my pregnancy. 

I can see your point and you make a very very valid one. Obviously I can't really speak about the "what I would do" or the "what would my wife and I do
 actually.
But to question your first sentence that you have no problem with it between woman and qualified physician you stated earlier when they're viable, which could be as early as 16 weeks, which is outside of the 1st trimester, so you're ok with late term abortions? Or am I misreading what you're trying to get across?

When it comes to late term abortions, 3rd trimester ones should only be carried out in a case of life of the mother.  Speaking as a woman with two prior pregnancies, I don't believe it is unreasonable to detect a pregnancy before the beginning of the second trimester.  Once that 20 week mark has been hit, the only valid reason I can see for abortion is life of the mother.  A woman who simply does not want the child quite honestly should have come to that decision before the fifth month... however, I cannot see legislating it, because it creates a slippery slope where interpretation is concerned.

To make the clearest statement possible about it, I believe that after 20 weeks gestation, the only justifiable abortion is the one done in cases of life of the mother, should the 20 week anatomy ultrasound come back clear and everything is developing well.

[amyrouse]

I think legally you can't have an abortion after 3 months.

Actually, that would be 6 months, Marie.  3rd trimester abortions are the ones outlawed with the bill Bush signed, or D&E abortions, commonly known as "partial-birth abortions".

[bschumacher]

Keep abortion legal, safe, and EXTREMELY RARE! People must be encouraged to use birth control. However, there are cases when it must be done. For example, it would be dangerous and traumatic for a child of 10 or 11 to carry a pregnancy to full term because her body and mind are not sufficiently developed.

[HuffmanFamilyof4]

Absolutely positivly NO,NO,NO,NO

[wiersmak]

Only in cases of rape, incest, or the mothers life is in danger.

[piggyytay]

We had this post in class for debate the other day. None of us can come up with a compromise :

Personally, I think it should be illegal unless it's under special circumstances.

[AdamH1978]

Only in cases of rape, incest, or the mothers life is in danger.

Agreed.  I think we all know how a baby is made so if you don't want one then use contraceptives or don't have sex.  It's not your body it's a separate entitity within your body.  A baby is as much a man's as it is a woman's.  To those people saying a baby is a parasite until it's born then what do you call a baby or even a young child who depends on their parents to survive?  I would never tell a women what to with her own body, but seeing that a baby/fetus/whatever you want to call it is not a part of a woman's body then I can object.  I'm not going to debate some red herring about when life begins.  The fact of the matter is that at no point in time is the inanimate or living child a part of your body.  It is living off you as does a child outside the womb, dependent on you for protection and nourishment.  

[PinkieRoze]

Oooo touchy subject. Personally, I don't believe in any laws. And I do believe in the right of free choice. Regardless of the reasoning. Interesting, has anyone heard of the "Donohue-Levitt hypothesis?" It's a theory that legalized abortion actually reduces the crime rate. The thought is that those who actually "want" their children will provide better homes and their children will be more likely to succeed. Where as "unwanted" children will likely be born into broken homes (or just as scary,) the childcare system, where a life of crime is usually the path taken. Well, I do believe it's our environment that shapes us. It's an interesting theory. When you think of it though, unless you've had to go through this experience yourself, you certainly cannot say what decision is right or wrong. We don't know why people do the things they do. They have their own reasons. To others, it might be wrong, but to the person making this tough choice, it could be the best decision, even good. In other words, it's all very personal. Personal means private. Private means just for that individual. I think you see my point. Never an easy subject though. “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” ~Plato   

[Lusie]

The only reasons I approve of abortion is 1. the mother or babies lives are in danger because of the pregnancy 2. the woman was raped. With any other there are always people out there looking to adopt a child and you never know by the time the baby comes you may not want to give it up.

[gaby609]

im highly against abortion and believe it should be made illegal. but even though so many people believe this, it will probably never happen. every baby should have a chance to live.

I'm agains abortion   if we are responsible enough to have sex we  should be responsible to take care of a baby 
some times people like taking the easy way out   i feal the only ones that should have a choice are the ones that have been abused

[lgemini]

Abortion should not be illegal.  You should have the right to keep or not to keep your baby.  There are two ways of looking this subject.  This should be an individual choice short and sweet.