Legal And Ethical Issues Surrounding The Abortion Debate

Abortion

Introduction/Background

In the year 1973, the United States Supreme Court addressed the legality of abortion through two landmark cases: Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton. The Supreme Court's decision to allow abortion in the cases of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton in 1973 was viewed as a progressive step towards advocating for women's rights and the autonomy of one's body. In the recent 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson case, the Supreme Court overturned the previous ruling of Roe v. Wade, effectively removing the federally protected status of abortion as a right. Over the years, the topic of abortion has remained a subject of ongoing debate and contention in society, eliciting diverse reactions from both proponents of the pro-life and pro-choice

However, when examining the topic of abortion, it becomes evident that the debates are rooted in differing moral and ethical beliefs, particularly in relation to the right to choose or the sanctity of life. The Christian response to abortion in society has been centered around preserving the sanctity of life of a human being in the image of God, viewing abortion as a violation of the sanctity of life. In a postmodern culture that stresses individual autonomy and personal worldviews, the ethical and moral justifications for abortion vary, particularly concerning the status of a growing fetus as a living being. In today's post-modern society, the examination and analysis of the issues surrounding abortion in light of Scripture allows believers to justify that abortion is immortal and unethical Thus, this research paper will focus on what an abortion is, methods of abortion, the effects of abortion on individuals and society, and the perspective of the Christian faith on the moral

Kathyrn Butler in “The Hope and Heartache of Prenatal Screening” states families may choose to undergo prenatal screening to prepare for the possibility of a terminal illness or disability in the unborn baby. However, this raises ethical concerns, as prenatal testing can lead to the termination of pregnancies when a genetic disorder is identified. According to the British Advisory Service in “Termination of Pregnancy for Fetal Anomaly,” women may choose to terminate a pregnancy on grounds of fetal anomaly due to factors such as the emotional and financial costs of raising a disabled child, the impact on the caretaking abilities for existing children, and the belief that it would be cruel to bring a child into the world who will require constant medical intervention and potentially live in pain.” Furthermore, Joe Carter in “Should Christian Parents Use Prenatal Genetic Testing?” states that “today, the most common and widely accepted form of eugenics in America is the aborting of children who have genetic defects, especially Down syndrome. Approximately 67 percent of prenatal diagnoses for Down syndrome result in an abortion, according to estimated pregnancy termination rates from 1995 to 2011.” Those that oppose the termination of pregnancy due deformities argue for sanctity of life in that every life is sacred from the moment of conception and that terminating a