Topic > The pros and cons of abortion - 1060

In the four decades following Roe v. Wade, women across the United States of America have begun to rely on their right to have an abortion. Abortion is defined according to a number of definitions that have varied over the years, in medical and legal settings, and by individuals around the world. With more cases of legal abortion on the rise over the years, it's time to take a look at what the legal aspects of abortion include and what a true definition of abortion under the law consists of. According to the legal definition, abortion refers to the termination of pregnancy by various methods, including medical surgery, before the fetus is capable of sustaining independent life (abortion). With abortion comes many ethical questions. In 1970, New York became the first U.S. state to legalize abortion on demand up to the 24th week of pregnancy, followed by Alaska and Washington. After the 24th week, no more abortions were performed. With more and more states wanting to legalize abortion, this has led to one of the most notorious court cases in the United States, the Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade. This court case established that it is a woman's decision to terminate a pregnancy in the first trimester. This statement is found under the right to privacy, founded on the Fourteenth Amendment's concept of personal liberty (History). Roe, a pregnant single woman who wanted an abortion, began challenging the constitutionality of Texas' abortion laws. Under Texas law, it is a crime to have or attempt to have an abortion except under medical advice to save the mother's life. The defendant going against her was Wade County District Attorney. After much debate, the court proceeded to divide the pregnancy into three trimesters to define what could legally be done during each trimester (Bioethics). According to the Supreme Court, first-trimester abortions were to be performed without challenge, but leaving the decision to perform one in the hands of the woman's doctor. They marginally allowed states to perform abortions during the second trimester, but limited and regulated abortions performed. In the third half, the ruling allowed states to severely limit or completely ban abortions; unless something compromises the mother's health. This is the only exception during the third trimester. If doctors are caught performing late-term abortions without medical necessity for the mother, they can do so