Abortion

ANSWERS

An induced or procured abortion is the intentional killing and removal of a baby from her mother’s womb before birth. The Church has condemned abortion since the time of the Apostles. The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, written before the year 100, instructed the faithful, “You shall not procure abortion.” “You shall not kill a newborn child” (II, 2). From the start, direct abortion and infanticide were considered equally evil. Hundreds of ecclesiastical documents dating from the first century to the present bear witness to the same moral doctrine, with nuances such as time, place, and circumstances noted. According to the Second Vatican Council, “life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception,” and “abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes” (Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, IV, 51). In 1974, Pope Paul VI reaffirmed this teaching. “Respect for human life,” he wrote, “is required from the start of the generation process.” When the ovum is fertilized, a life that is neither the father’s nor the mother’s begins. It is the life of a new human being, with its development. It would never be made human if it was not already human.” As a result, “divine law and natural reason exclude any right to directly kill an innocent human being.”

Pregnancy loss before 20 weeks gestation is referred to as spontaneous abortion.

In a confirmed viable intrauterine pregnancy, threatened abortion is defined as vaginal bleeding without cervical dilation before 20 weeks. Pelvic examination, measurement of the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin, and ultrasonography are used to diagnose. Treatment for threatened abortion is usually expectant observation, and if spontaneous abortion has occurred or appears unavoidable, observation or uterine evacuation.

By definition, spontaneous abortion results in the death of the fetus. Approximately 20 to 30% of women with confirmed pregnancies bleed during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, with half of these women aborting spontaneously. Thus, the rate of spontaneous abortion in confirmed pregnancies can reach 20%. Because some very early abortions are mistaken for a late menstrual period, the overall rate is likely higher.

QUESTION

Abortion

After studying the course materials located on Module 2: Lecture Materials & Resources page, answer the following:

1. Explain the difference between spontaneous and procured abortion. As well as their Ethical impact of each one.
2. Why can the contraceptive pill, the IUD and the “morning after” pill also be considered abortifacients?
3. Abortion methods, depending on the stage of pregnancy. Explain each one.
4. Describe the Roe Vs. Wade case and provide a summary of Norma McCorvey’s life.
5. Describe some better alternatives to abortion.
6. Read and summarize ERD paragraphs # 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 66.

Submission Instructions:

• The work is to be clear and concise and students will lose points for improper grammar, punctuation, and misspelling.
• If references are used, please cite properly according to the current APA style.