Abortion

             Many women find themselves pregnant with an unwanted potential newborn. After a woman has discussed her options with her physician or counsellor, and decides to have an abortion, should the law override her decision and prevent her from having an abortion? In the United States, women choose to end approximately 25% of their pregnancies through abortion. This is similar to the Canadian figure of 21%. Opposing sides on the issue have the same objective to reduce the number of abortions, and to make any needed abortions safe. However, they have very contrasting views on when an abortion is justifiable and different methods of consummating their goals. Somewhere during the nine months between the ovum-spermatozoa stage and the newborn baby, human personhood begins. When human life begins, an abortion should not be allowed, except under very unusual circumstances.
             Many different points of view can be presented advocating both sides of this moral issue. The debate over legalized abortion is a good example of the conflict between public and private morality. Public morality is the appropriated criterion or standard of ethical behaviour codified in law. Private morality deals with our personal set of attitudes and values, un-obstructed by the law. When presenting a position based upon private moral conviction, one can draw up tradition, religion, expediency or social justice. It is believed that the law should be used minimally in matters of private moral conduct. If conduct becomes offensive to other citizens, then the law would intervene. The question that remains is whether this should apply to abortion. The woman is entitled to her rights in our Constitution, but the objective it to protect the rights of the fetus as well.
             During 1988, the Canadian Supreme Court declared the Federal law regulating abortion (Section 287 of the Criminal Code) was in conflict with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. As part of the Constitution, it is t
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Abortion. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 07:38, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/78008.html