Pro Life or Prochoice

Abstract

The following paper was written with the intent to expose both factions of the on going of Abortion. These factions are Pro-life, which is those who oppose abortion, and Pro- Choice, which are those who believe that the mother has the right to choose what happens to her body. In researching and writing this paper careful consideration was taking on observing and understanding each side and their arguments and then making an informed stance on whether Pro-Choice are right in their beliefs. In this paper I have made clear the beliefs of each faction and given written proof to each side. The evidence given to back up each faction was taken into careful consideration as I made my stance on which faction I chose. Through my research I have come to the conclusion that the logical choice would be to stand as a Pro-Choice advocate.

Pro-choice advocates are right in their beliefs that abortion is justifiable.

The argument of abortion has been divided into two factions: pro-choice and pro-life. The pro-choice argument is that the fetus is not yet a human being and its rights should not override that of the mother's. Pro-life advocates argue that abortions are murder and extreme levels of child abuse. Pro-choice advocates are right in their belief that abortions are a justifiable means to end pregnancies. Through out this essay I will provide you with information as to prove either side, however I will make my position on abortion clear.

Defining a Human Being

An important factor in determining whether an individual should make his/her stand with the Pro-Life advocates or the Pro- choice advocates is to make oneself very clear on what defines a human being. Can one define a human as the result of a sperm fertilizing an egg? At this point of fertilization the "human" is composed of a single cell with a unique DNA structure. Killing this unique cell would be wrong, however does this single cell constitute for a person? James Fleming Rorie (2009) has stated in his article "Unconventional Wisdom"; that given current medical knowledge, it is generally considered that a fetus less than 20 weeks is not viable. Therefore one can arrived at the perception that a fetus can be only be considered a "human" when it begins to show physical and mental characteristics of a human being, that is when the pregnancy has lasted 20 weeks and more.

Pro-Choice

Pro-Choice advocates believe that the above definition gives a woman the freedom to terminate a pregnancy by having an abortion if she does not want to have a baby. Now the term itself literally refers to the idea that pregnancy should be the choice of the pregnant woman in question given that a woman can make all the decisions concerning her body. On that note there arrives the argument between Pro-life and Pro-choice, where does line between her body and the potential child start? Is it at the 20 weeks or before? An individual choosing Pro-choice would say it begins at the 20 week mark when the baby shows physical and mental human traits. Laurie