1. Definitionsof abortion
vary fromone source to another.Abortionhasmanydefinitionsthatcandifferfromeachotherin
significantways.Giventhe contentiousnature of abortion,lawmakersandotherstakeholdersoftenface
controversyindefining abortion.Language referringtoabortionoftenreflectssocietalandpolitical
opinions(notonlyscientificknowledge).Influential non-stateactorslike the UnitedNationsandthe
RomanCatholicChurch have alsoengenderedcontroversyovereffortstodefine abortion.Late
terminationof pregnancyisthe termusuallyusedforlateruterine evacuation.
Concernsinthe medical community
Ambiguousdefinitionscancreate concernsinthe medical community.Physiciansinseveral countries,
includingIrelandand Canada,have expressedconcernoverambiguousdefinitionsof abortion.Evenin
situationswhere thereisaclear definitionof abortion,itdoesnotalwaysmatchdefinitionsof related
termsin effectinthe same jurisdiction.
Major OB/GYN textbooks
The National CanterforHealthStatisticsdefinesan"abortus"as"[a] fetusorembryoremovedor
expelledfromthe uterusduringthe firsthalf of gestation—20weeksorless,orinthe absence of
accurate datingcriteria,bornweighing<500 g." Theyalsodefine "birth"as"[t]he complete expulsionor
extractionfromthe motherof a fetusafter20 weeks'gestation.[...] inthe absence of accurate dating
criteria,fetusesweighing<500 g are usuallynotconsideredasbirths,butratherare termedabortuses
for purposesof vital statistics."
"[T]he standardmedical definitionof abortion[is]terminationof apregnancywhenthe fetusisnot
viable".
"Terminationof apregnancy,whetherspontaneousorinduced."
"Terminationof pregnancybefore 20weeks'gestationcalculatedfromdate of onsetof lastmenses.
An alternative definitionisdeliveryof afetuswithaweightof lessthan500 g. If abortionoccurs before
12 weeks'gestation,itiscalledearly;from12to 20 weeksitiscalledlate."
"Abortionisthe spontaneousorinducedterminationof pregnancybefore fetalviability.Because
popularuse of the wordabortionimpliesadeliberatepregnancytermination,some preferthe word
miscarriage toreferto spontaneousfetal lossbeforeviability [...] The National CenterforHealth
Statistics,the CentersforDisease Control andPrevention(CDC),andthe WorldHealthOrganization
(WHO) define abortionaspregnancyterminationpriorto20 weeks'gestationora fetusbornweighing
lessthan500 g. Despite this,definitionsvarywidelyaccordingtostate laws."

2. Major medical dictionaries
"The spontaneousorinducedterminationof pregnancybefore the fetusreachesaviable age."
"Expulsionfromthe uterusanembryoor fetuspriortothe stage of viability(20weeks'gestationor
fetal weight<500g).A distinctionmade between[abortion] andpremature birth:prematureinfantsare
those bornafterthe stage of viabilitybutpriorto37 weeks."
"[P]remature expulsionfromthe uterusof the productsof conception,eitherthe embryoora
nonviable fetus."
"[T]he terminationof apregnancyafter,accompaniedby,resultingin,orcloselyfollowedbythe death
of the embryoorfetus".
"Inducedterminationof pregnancy,involvingdestructionof the embryoorfetus.""abortion."
"Interruptionof pregnancybefore the fetushasattainedastage of viability,usuallybefore the 24th
gestational week.""abortion."
"[A] spontaneousordeliberate endingof pregnancybefore the fetuscanbe expectedtosurvive."
"abortion."
"[A] situationwhere afetusleavesthe uterusbefore itisfullydeveloped,especiallyduringthe first28
weeksof pregnancy,ora procedure whichcausesthistohappen...[T]ohave anabortiontohave an
operationtomake a fetusleave the uterusduring the firstperiodof pregnancy."
"1. Inducedterminationof apregnancywithdestructionof the fetusorembryo;therapeuticabortion.
2. Spontaneousabortion."
"Althoughthe termabortionisgenericandimpliesapremature terminationof pregnancyforany
reason,the laypublicbetterunderstandsthe word‘miscarriage’forinvoluntaryfetallossorfetal
wastage."
"The terminationof pregnancyorpremature expulsionof the productsof conceptionbyanymeans,
usuallybefore fetalviability
Bibliographies
"An abortionreferstothe terminationof apregnancy.Itcan be induced(see Definitions,Terminology,
and Reference Resources)throughapharmacological ora surgical procedure,oritmay be spontaneous

3. (alsocalledmiscarriage).""Definitionsof abortionvaryacrossand withincountriesaswell asamong
differentinstitutions.Language usedtorefertoabortionoftenalsoreflectssocietalandpolitical
opinionsandnotonlyscientificknowledge (GrimesandGretchen2010). Popularuse of the word
abortionimpliesadeliberatepregnancytermination,whereasamiscarriage isusedtoreferto
spontaneousfetal losswhenthe fetusisnotviable (i.e.,notyetunable tosurvive independentlyoutside
the womb)."
Major Englishdictionaries(general-purpose)
"1. a. The expulsionorremoval fromthe wombof a developingembryoorfetus,spec.(Med.) inthe
periodbefore itiscapable of independentsurvival,occurringasa resulteitherof natural causes(more
fullyspontaneousabortion)orof a deliberate act(more fullyinducedabortion);the earlyorpremature
terminationof pregnancywithlossof the fetus;aninstance of this."
"[A]noperationorotherprocedure toterminate pregnancybeforethe fetusisviable"or"[T]he
premature terminationof pregnancybyspontaneousorinducedexpulsionof anonviable fetusfromthe
uterus".
"[T]he removal of anembryoor fetusfromthe uterusinorder to enda pregnancy"or "[A]nyof
varioussurgical methodsforterminatingapregnancy,especiallyduring the firstsix months."
"[T]he terminationof apregnancyafter,accompaniedby,resultingin,orcloselyfollowedbythe death
of the embryoorfetus:as (a) spontaneousexpulsionof ahumanfetusduringthe first12 weeksof
gestation(b) inducedexpulsionof ahumanfetus(c) expulsionof afetusbya domesticanimal oftendue
to infectionatanytime before completionof pregnancy."
"1. medicine the removal of anembryoorfetusfromthe uterusbefore itissufficientlydevelopedto
survive independently,deliberatelyinducedbythe use of drugsor by surgical procedures.Alsocalled
terminationorinducedabortion.2.medicinethe spontaneousexpulsionof anembryoorfetusfromthe
uterusbefore itissufficientlydevelopedtosurvive independently.Alsocalledmiscarriage,spontaneous
abortion."
"a medical operationtoenda pregnancysothat the baby isnot bornalive".
Otherdictionaries
"The deliberate terminationof apregnancy,usuallybeforethe embryoorfetusiscapable of
independentlife."

4. "A termthat, inphilosophy,theology,andsocial debates,oftenmeansthe deliberate terminationof
pregnancybefore the fetusisable tosurvive outside the uterus.However,participantsinthesedebates
sometimesuse the termabortion simplytomeanthe terminationof pregnancybefore birth,regardless
of whetherthe fetusisviableornot."
"1. Anartificiallyinducedterminationof apregnancyforthe purpose of destroyinganembryoor
fetus.2. The spontaneousexpulsionof anembryoorfetusbefore viability;"
"[T]he expulsionof afetusfromthe uterusbefore ithasreachedthe stage of viability(inhuman
beings,usuallyaboutthe 20thweekof gestation)."
"Expulsionof the productsof conceptionbefore the embryoor fetusisviable.Anyinterruptionof
humanpregnancypriorto the 28th weekisknownasabortion."
"[Abortion] iscommonlymisunderstoodoutsidemedical circles.Ingeneral terms,the word'abortion'
simplymeansthe failure of somethingtoreachfulfilmentormaturity.Medically,abortionmeanslossof
the fetus,forany reason,before itisable tosurvive outside the womb.The termcoversaccidental or
spontaneousending,ormiscarriage,of pregnancyaswell asdeliberate termination.The terms
'spontaneousabortion'and'miscarriage'are synonymousandare definedaslossof the fetusbefore the
twenty-eighthweekof pregnancy.Thisdefinitionimpliesalegal perceptionof the age atwhicha fetus
can survive outof the womb.Withgreatadvancesinrecentyearsin the abilitytokeepverypremature
babiesalive,thisdefinitionisinneedof revision."[39]
"Abortionisthe intentionalremoval of afetusoran embryofroma mother'swombfor purposes
otherthan that of eitherproducingalive birth ordisposingof a deadembryo."[40]
In the currentoppositiontoabortiononmoral grounds,the “rightto life”principle hasattainedan
indisputable hegemony.Butnumerousexceptionstothisprinciple are admitted,evenbythose who
standfirmlybythe general rule.Self-defenseinthe face of unjustaggressionorthreatstolife isalmost
universallyapproved;justwartheory,allowingkillingof combatants,hastime-honoredacceptability;
capital punishmentisallowedbythe Church,albeitwithreservations;andmanyCatholicmoral
theologiansconsiderthreatstothe life of amotherto provide anexceptiontothe prohibitionof
abortion.
The difficultyof the applicationof the right-to-life principle indiscussionsof abortionisaggravatedby
some impossible questions:Whenisthe fetusahumanbeing?Whenisthe soul infused?Manyof us,
perhapsmostof us,wouldtendtowarda “benefitof the doubt”approach — pointingtothe momentof

5. conception.If we acceptthe dogma of the Immaculate Conception,dowe needtologicallyholdthat
everyhumanconceptionisensouled?Inanycase,no one,shortof divine revelation,knowsforsure,or
evenhasthe possibilityof knowing,whenthe infusiontakesplace.Thisisanissue forwhichthere will
neverbe a clearanswer.
But isthe right-to-life principlethe mostrelevantprinciple?Are personsconsideringthe moralityor
immoralityof abortionreallyaskingthemselveswithpraiseworthyacademicimpartiality,“Now,isthis
fetusreallyahumanbeingwitha primafacie rightto life?”Orshouldotherprinciplestake priority?Are
there notothernatural-lawdirectivesthatshouldhave the ascendancyinsuchcases?
The natural lawrelatedtothe life principle,accordingtoSt.ThomasAquinasinthe Summa(Q.94,
1a2ae), isthe firstspecificpreceptof natural law,andrelatestothe tendencyof all beingstoremainin
existence.Asappliedtohumans,itisthe “law of self-preservation”foreachindividual — the instinctive
tendencywe all have tonurture our existence andmaintainitatall costs,unlesssome supervening
rationale demotesthistendencytosecondaryimportance.The corollarydutyforuswhoobserve this
lawoperative insome otherindividualistorespectthattendency,anddonothingtoimpede it,aslong
as that individualdoesnotforfeithisrightsinsome way(e.g.,byunjust,lethalaggression).
Aquinasthengoesonto enunciate the secondspecificpreceptof the natural law,commonto humans
as well asotheranimals — namely,tonurture andmake provisionfortheiroffspring.Asappliedto
humans,whorequire immenselylongercare andeducationthanotheranimals,the requirementsare
proportionallymore stringent.Thislawisassociatedwiththe instinctive desire of personstohave
offspringandtheirwillingnesstoinvestimmense energyinchildren’supbringingandwell-being— even
to the pointof personal sacrifice,andeventosacrifice of life.
The main “empirical”proof thatthisisindeedalaw of nature is inthe emotionsandinclinations — the
powerful love mostparentsfeel fortheiroffspring,oftenmaintainedinspite of setbacksandunrequited
love.Parentsreflectingonthese appetitivephenomenamightsuspectthattheyare beingsubjected to
somethinglikeacomputerprogram.Nevertheless,like all instincts,the impetustocare for offspringcan
be interdictedorredirected,dependingoncircumstances — including,forhumans,notonlyexternal
environmental circumstances,butalsoprevailingideas,ideals,andideologies.

6. While the lawforthe individual parentistomobilize reasonandresourcestocare for theirprogeny,the
correspondingdutyforthose of uswho witnessthislaw operative inthe parentistorespecttheirright
to care for children,anddowhatisin our powertofacilitate thatobjective — or,atleast,notplace
obstaclesinthe way.
These twonatural-lawpreceptsrelatedifferentiallytothe abortionissue.While the law of “respectfor
life”includesone’soffspringinageneral way,the secondlaw,relatedtohavingandcaringfor offspring,
if it be acknowledgedtoprevail,ismuchmore relevanttothe case of abortion — since itisdiametrically
opposedtoa woman’sexterminationof herownchildinutero.An intentional exterminationwould
seemtobelongpreeminentlytothe categoryof sinsdeemed“contrarytonature.”
On the otherhand,it shouldbe recognizedthatapplicationof the secondpreceptmaychange our
perspective onsome of the commonexceptions manyare willingtoallow regardingthe prohibitionof
abortion.Those whoapplythe firstpreceptoftenmake anexceptionforsituationsthreateningthe life
of the mother,since there isaconflictbetweentworightstolife.But,inlightof the second precept,a
conflictof rightsobtainsalsointhe cases of rape andincest.For,if everywomanhasa rightto conceive
and procreate,andif thisrightimpliesthatshe hasa right to make that choice voluntarily,nomore
obviousinfractionsof thatrightthanrape andincestcan be contemplated.
Indeed,the existence of anyrightimpliesvoluntariness.The rightof free speechwouldbe infringedif
the speechwere made underduress;the righttochoose a religionwouldbe meaninglessif itwere
conditionedbythreatstolife orwell-being;the righttoeat to preserve one’slife andhealthwouldbe
compromisedforsomeone subjectedtoforcedfeeding.Thus,incasesof rape andincest,applicationof
the secondpreceptpointsouta conflictof rights.The rightof the mother— to bearoffspringvoluntarily
— comesintoconflictwiththe presumedrightof the humanfetustolife.Thisinfringementof the
mother’srightcertainlyhasanimpact onany obligationsthe motherwouldnormallyhave withoutsuch
infringement.Especiallyinthe case of incestof youngchildren,the stringencyof anypresumeddutiesto
offspringwouldseemtobe obviouslycompromisedandminimized.
Legislationbycivil authorities,unlikemoralityandnatural law,isnotconcerned perse withmoral right
and wrongbut withpreservationof publicorder,includingthe protectionof legal rightsandthe
emendationof illegalwrongs.Andconsiderationsof enforceabilityinevitablyenterintoviable
lawmaking.The lawmaytolerate immoral actionsthatare inthe private realmor cannotbe effectively
prohibited.America’sexperience withProhibitionlawsinthe 1920s offersa classicexample:Atthat
time,manystrongbelieversinthe evilsof alcohol prudentlydecidedthatenforcementwouldbe

7. impossible.Inrecentdecades,the abrogationof erstwhilestate lawsagainstsodomy,the marital use of
contraceptives,andthe sale anduse of pornographycan be characterizedasthe removal of largely
unenforceable legislation.The legalizationof prostitutioninsome areasmayfall intothe same category.
But arguably,while ablanketlegal prohibitionof abortioninthe presentcultural climatemayseem
unenforceable,the prohibitionof abortionmayfindbroadsupportevenamongthose with“pro-choice”
leanings,providedthatthe three above-mentionedexceptionsare allowed.Galluppollseachyearfrom
2004 to 2009 have consistentlyindicatedthatslightlyover70 percentof Americansbelieveeitherthat
abortionshouldbe prohibitedcompletely,orallowedonlyundercertainconditions.The extenuating
circumstancesoftencitedare casesof rape,incest,anddangerto the life of the mother.InEuropean
laws,alreadymuchlesspermissive thaninthe UnitedStates,these threeexceptionsare frequentand
basic.
It goeswithoutsaying,however,thatChristianprinciplesmaysupersedeconsiderationsof conflictsof
rightrelatedtonatural law.Decidingtobringa childintothe worldaftera rape,for example,wouldbe
inthe same categoryas gospel admonitionsto“gothe other mile,”“lendtootherswithouthopingfor
repayment,”“turnthe othercheek,”etc.Insituationsof problempregnancieslike ectopicgestation,a
womandecidingtoforfeitherownrighttolife andherright to nurture and raise her childrentobring
herchildto termwouldbe goingevenfurtherin“othermiles.”Fromthe standpointof natural law,such
decisionswouldbelonginthe categoryof heroicvirtue — sacrificesof personal rightsthatgobeyond
any normal call to maternal responsibility.
Nature of abortion
The CatholicChurch opposesall formsof abortionprocedureswhosedirectpurposeistodestroyan
embryo,blastocyst,zygote orfoetus,sinceitholdsthat"humanlife mustbe respectedandprotected
absolutely fromthe momentof conception.Fromthe firstmomentof hisexistence,ahumanbeingmust
be recognizedashavingthe rightsof a person - among whichisthe inviolable rightof everyinnocent
beingtolife.
However,itdoesrecognize asmorallylegitimate certainactswhichindirectlyresultinthe deathof the
fetus,aswhenthe directpurpose isremoval of a cancerouswomb.Inaccordance withthe principle of
double effect,inthe rare casesof indirectabortion,suchaswhen,inan ectopicpregnancy,the fallopian
tube isremoved,orincases of ovariancancer. In these casesthe procedure isaimedonlyatpreserving

8. the woman'slife,andthe deathof the foetus,althoughforeseen,isnotwilledeitherasan endor as a
meansforobtainingthe intendedeffect.
Mgr ElioSgreccia,of the Pontifical AcademyforLife,hasdeclaredthatthe canonical lawsonabortion
wouldalsoapplytoanyone whotakesan abortionpill.
Cardinal AlfonsoLópezTrujillo,asheadof the Pontifical Council forthe Family,hasarguedthatcanon
1398 shouldalsobe interpretedinasense thatappliestoembryonicstemcell researchers,giventhat
the deliberate terminationof embryoniccell reproductionisincludedasa formof abortioninofficial
Church documentssuchasDonum Vitae,EvangeliumVitae andDignitasPersonae.
Nature of excommunication
Excommunicationisanecclesiastical censureimposedprimarilynotaspunishmentforthe deeddone,
but forthe purpose of breakingcontumacyandreintegratingthe offenderinthe community.[8]
An excommunicatedpersonisnotcut off fromthe Church, butis barredfromreceivingthe Eucharist
and the othersacraments,andfrom takinga ministerialpartinthe liturgy(reading,bringingthe
offerings,etc.),while still beingboundbyobligationssuchasattendingMass.
Nobodyissubjecttoany ecclesiastical censure exceptforanexternal violationbythatpersonof a lawor
preceptthatis gravelyimputablebyreasonof malice ornegligence,butimputabilityispresumedunless
the contrary isclear.Accordingly,nocensure appliesif the violatorisnotyet16 yearsold,or isunaware
(unlessbecause of negligence) of violatingalaw,orwho acteddue to physical force orchance
occurrence.
While noexcommunicationcanbe inflictedinthose circumstances,automatic(latae sententiae)
excommunicationdoesnotapplyincertainothercases,of whichthe Code of CanonLaw liststen,
includingthe casesof those who,althoughover16 yearsof age, are still minors,orwhoact outof grave
fear.A penaltyorpenance canstill be imposedinsuchcases
A declarationof repentance,followedbyabsolution[13] givenbyapriestempoweredtoliftthe censure,
endsan excommunicationsuchasthat imposedbycanon1398.

9. Canon915, whichsome claimappliestoCatholiclegislatorswhomake abortionlegal,doesnotimpose
excommunication,butinsteadimposesonthe ministerof HolyCommunionthe obligationtorefuse the
sacramentto those who"obstinatelypersevereinmanifestgrave sin"
HSC321-Legal & Ethical IssuesGroup# 2 Abortion
2. If it isnta baby,thenyouarent pregnant,sowhatare you aborting? -AuthorUnknown
3. What is Abortion?•Abortionisdescribedasthe expulsionof the productsof conceptionbefore the
embryoor fetusisviable.Anyinterruptionof humanpregnancypriortothe 28th weekof gestationor
the deliveryof afetusweighinglessthan500 grams isknownas abortion.
4. SpontaneousAbortion(Miscarriage)•Thisisdefinedasthe deliveryof anonviable embryoorfetus
(the fetuscannotsurvive) before the 20thweekof pregnancydue tofetal or maternal factors.•
Recurrentspontaneousabortion- the occurrence of three ormore consecutive lossesof clinically
recognizedpregnanciespriortothe 20th weekof gestation(Immunological reactions,inwhichmaternal
antibodiesmistake the fetusforforeigntissue,have beenimplicatedinrecurrent,orhabitual
spontaneousabortions).•Itisestimatedthatatleast20% of all pregnancies endinmiscarriage
(estimatesrange from15%to 75%). Most occur inthe firsttwo weeksafterconception,andinmany
casesthe motherisnotaware of the pregnancy.
5. TherapeuticAbortion•Thisprocedure isperformedtopreserve the healthorlife of the mother.Itcan
be inducedformedical reasonsoran elective decisiontoendthe pregnancy(eg.preventthe birthof a
deformedchildora childconceivedasaresultof rape or incest).Elective (Induced)Abortion•Defined
as a procedure intendedtoterminateasuspectedorknownintrauterine pregnancyandtoproduce a
nonviable fetusatanygestational age(CDC,2010),deemednecessarybythe womancarryingitand
performedatherrequest.
6. MethodsOf ConductingAbortionsSUCTION (VACUUMASPIRATION)ABORTION-The cervix isstretched
to allowpassage of ahollowsuctiontubewithasharp-edgedopeningsnearitstipintothe uterus. -
Powerful suctionforce isthenapplied,allowingthe fetustoberippedapartthensuctionedoutof the
uterusintoa collectioncontainer.-Most1sttrimesterabortionsinNorthAmericaandthe UnitedKingdom
are done inthismanner.
7. DILATATION & EVACUATION (Dand E) ABORTION -Usedfor2nd trimesterabortions,atwhichpointin
fetal developmentthe fetal bonesbecome calcified.
8. SALT POISONINGABORTION-Usedafter16 weeks,thistechniqueisemployedofteninthirdworld
nationsbecauseof itscosteffectivenessandease ofadministration.-A syringeof aconcentratedsalt
solutionisinjectedintothe amnioticfluidviaalongneedlethroughthe mother‘sabdomen.The fetus
thenbreathesandswallowsthe hyper-saltedamnioticfluid.The fetusstrugglesandsometimes
seizesuntil deadwithinusuallyone hour. -The mothertypicallythendeliversadeadfetuswithinone to
twodays. The fetal skin upondelivery,havingbeenchemicallyburnedaway,usuallypresentsasaglazed

10. redsurface.-ThisabortionprocedurewasfirstdevelopedinNazi concentrationcampsduringWorldWar
II.
9. DILATION and EXTRACTION (Dand X);akaPARTIALBIRTH ABORTIONUsedinwell developed2ndand
3rd trimesterpregnancies.
10. HYSTEROTOMY ABORTION-Usedforlate termabortionsinrareinstances.-Identical toaCaesarian
Sectiondeliveryusedtodeliveralive babyinthe presence ofcertainpregnancy/fetalcomplications,
exceptthe objective there istodeliveradeadfetus.-Thelivefetusisfirstterminatedwhilestillinthe
mother‘swomb,suchas bycuttingof theumbilical cord.-Once the fetusisdead,the fetusis
thenphysicallyliftedoutof the mother‘swombandthe abortioniscompleted.
11. PROSTOGLANDIN ABORTIONUsedtoabortmidand latertermpregnancies.Thehormone is
administeredtothe pregnantwomanintotheamnioticfluidorbyvaginal suppositories.It
inducesviolentprematurelaborcontractions,thusexpellingthefetuswhichusuallydiesinthe processof
delivery.Drugslethal tothe fetusare ofteninjectedintothe amnioticfluid,toassure fetaldeathbefore
delivery.INDUCEDLABOUR(LIVEBIRTH) ABORTIONPrematuredeliveryof acommonlymidtermfetus
isinducedviavarious means,the objective beingtodeliveraprematurebabythatisnot capable of
survivingoutsidetheuterus.Whensuchabortionstypicallyproduce the complicationoflive birth,the
nowdeliveredlivingbabyisprovidedonly―comfortcare― - wrappingthe infantinablanket-
anddeniedall medical andnursingcare.Suchinfantscanlingerforhoursbefore dyingof ―natural
causes.‖
12. BackgroundHistoryof Abortion•The moral andlegal issuesraisedbythe practice of abortionhas
testedthe philosophers, theologians,andstatesmenof everyage since the dawnof civilization.•The
Stoicsbelief thatabortionshouldbe alloweduptothe momentof birthwas vigorouslyopposedbythe
Pythagoreanswhobelievedthatthe soul wasinfusedintothe bodyatconceptionandthatto abort a
fetuswouldbe tocommitmurder.
13. • EarlyRoman lawwassilentasto abortion;and abortionandinfanticidewascommoninRome,
especiallyamongthe upperclasses.•Abortioninducedbyherbsormanipulationwasusedasa formof
birthcontrol in ancientEgypt,Greece,andRome and probablyearlier.Inthe Middle AgesinWestern
Europe it wasgenerallyacceptedinthe earlymonthsof pregnancy.•Oppositionbyscholarsandthe
growinginfluence of the Christianreligionbroughtabout the firstprohibitionof abortionduringthe
reignof Severus( 193-211 A.D.).These lawsmade abortionahighcriminal offense andsubjecteda
womanwhoviolatedthe provisionstobanishment.
14. • Chinese folklore datesbackto3000 BC where EmperorShennongprescribedmercurytoinduce an
abortion.•In2nd & 3rd century,Tertullian(A Christiantheologian)describedsurgical methodsfor
carryingout abortions.•Inthe eightcenturySanskrittextinstructedwomenwishingtoinduce an
abortionto sitovera pot of steamor stewedonions.•However,inthe 19thcenturyopinionabout
abortionchanged.

11. 15. • In1803, Britainfirstpassedantiabortionlaws,whichthenbecame stricterthroughoutthe
century.•In 1869 the RomanCatholicChurch prohibitedabortion underanycircumstances.•The U.S.
followedasindividual statesbegantooutlaw abortion.By1880, most abortionswere illegal inthe U.S.,
exceptthose ``necessarytosave the life of the woman.‗•However,Inthe 1950s, abouta millionillegal
abortions a yearwere performedinthe U.S.Poorwomenandwomenof colourran the greatestrisks
withillegal abortions.
16. • Techniquesusedinthose dayswere non-surgical;the mostcommonmethodsusedwere either
dosingthe pregnantwomanwitha near- fatal amountof poisonsothat a miscarriage couldoccur,or
lettingpoisondirectlyintothe uteruswithone of avarietyof ― longneedles,hooks,andknives.‖•
Attitudestowardabortionbecame more liberal inthe 20thcent.By the 1970s, abortionhadbeen
legalizedinmostEuropeancountriesandJapan;aswell asin the UnitedStates,undera 1973 Supreme
Court rulingwhichtookprecedenceoverstate lawsthatbannedabortion.However,there were
restrictionsinthe legislationforlaterstage abortions.
17. Abortion&the Lawsof GuyanaPriortothe Medical Terminationof PregnancyAct,theperformance
of abortionsinGuyanawas foundtobe illegal undertheCriminal Law (Offences)Act.The 1995 Medical
ance boththe dignityandthe sanctity
specificallystipulatethe circumstancesinwhichawomanisgrantedterminationof herpregnancy
- anyinstitutionprovedbythe Ministerforthe purposesof
actitioner- any
- Anunborn
- apersonwhois sufferingfrom
mental derangement.
- anintra-
Pregnancy- -
Life -Thisisdefinedasthe responsibilityorobligationof the governmenttopreserve all humanlife
-Choice -Thisisthe belief thatwomenhave
the right to choose toabort the baby.(A pro-choice view isthatababy doesnothave the human rights).
he Actstateswithregardsto counselling,thatanyfemale seekingtreatmentforthe
womanisalso expectedtowaitfora 48 hour time periodaftershe hasmade a requestformedical
terminationof pregnancytofacilitate these requirementsorregulations.
21. Laws RegardingA Woman’sTerminationof PregnancyThe Actdistinctlystatesfourdifferenttime
periods;all of whichcarriesseparate regulationsthatmustbe abidedoradheredtobefore termination

12. twelve (1
nof a
pregnancyof not more than eightweeksbythe use of anyother―lawful‖methodoutsidethatof
However,itisnotnecessaryforthisterminationprocess tobe carriedoutin an approvedinstitution
such as hospitalsorclinics.
mustalso be administeredbyamedical practitioneroranassistantunderthe supervisionof an
authorisedmedical practitioner.Inthiscase,howeveritismandatorythat thisterminationprocess
takesplace withinanapprovedinstitution.Additionally,the treatmentregardingthe terminationof a
pregnancycan onlybe administeredif:
medical practitioneradministeringthe treatmentbelievesthat-the continuance of pregnancywould
involve risktothe pregnantwomanormay be of grave injuryto herphysicalormental health
24. - there issubstantial riskthatif the childwere born,itwouldsufferfromphysical ormental
abnormalitiesandcanbe seriouslyhandicapped - onaccount of beinga personof ―unsoundmind‖,the
pregnantwomanwill notbe capable of takingcare of t
reasonablybelievesthatherpregnancywascausedbyan act of rape or incestandsubmitsa paperto
that the pregnancyresultedinspite of the use of a recognizedcontraceptive methodbythe pregnant
womanor her partner.
Thistreatmentmustalsobe administeredbyamedical practitionerandthe terminationprocessmust
practitionersare of the opinionof matterspreviouslylistedorspecifiedinthe time period―morethan
8 weeksbutnotlessthan12 weeks‖.
pregnancyof more than sixteenweeksmustbe administeredbyonlyanauthorisedmedical practitioner
tcanonlybe administeredif THREEmedical practitionersare of
the opinionof mattersalsopreviouslylistedorspecifiedinthe time period―more than8weeksbutnot
lessthan12 weeks‖.
27. ConsentThe Actalsothoroughlystatesthe circumstancesunder whichconsentisrequiredandthe
be givenfroma pregnantwomanof soundmindbefore administeringtreatmentforthe terminationof
rsely,inthe case of the treatmentorterminationof apregnancyof a womanof
treatmentconcerningabortionforachildof any age,the medical practitionershouldencourage the
childto informherparents/guardians,butisNOTrequiredtoobtainanyconsentfromthemor even

13. encourage the patienttoinform herpartner,butagain isNOT requiredtoobtainthispartner‘sconsent
or evennotifythem.
28. Non-
medical practitionerisheldliable orlegallyresponsible forthe treatmentandsupervisionof the
terminationof apregnancyonce consenthasbeengiven.unlessof course the actual procedure was
conductedina negligentmanner.Non-
numberof medical opinionsmaynotbe requiredwhere the terminationof the pregnancyis
immediatelynecessarytosave the life of the womanorto preventpermanentinjurytoherphysical or
mental health.Undersuchcircumstancesanyauthorisedmedical practitionercan administerthe
treatment.
treatmentmaybe discharged
affectthe dutyof a personto participate inthe treatmentforterminationof apregnancywhere the
immediate treatmentisnecessarytosave the life of the patientorpreventgrave permanentinjury.
refuse,incompletelymaintain,documentmisleadinginformationof the patientorcompletelyfailsto
maintainmedical recordsconcerningtermination,thatpersonorthe ownerormanagerof that
institutionwill be heldresponsible orliableandcanbe fined$20,000 alongwith6 monthsof
intentionallyfalse ormisleading,thispatientshall be heldliable forthisoffence andcanbe fined$7000
fine inadditionto6 monthsof imprisonment.
employedorworkinginthisinstitutionwithlawful accesstorecordsand sharesthisinformationwith
any memberof the general publicorotherparties,therebybreachingconfidentiality,he orshe can be
lyWithAnyProvisionof thisActAny
personwhocontravenesorfailstocomplywithanyprovisionof the thisAct,for whichnopenaltieshas
beenstatedbythe Act or Criminal Law(Offences) Act,shall be heldliable andcanbe fined$10, 000
alongwith3 monthsof imprisonment.
32. Guyana’sAbortionLawsvs.The Moralityof Society- OurFindingsNumberof Personsthat
ParticipatedInsurvey35302520 numberof Participants1510 5 0 MalesFemales
33. ReligiousBackgroundsOf ParticipantsNumberof Participants0510 15 20 25
34. Graph showingthe variousage groupsinterviewed2520No. of persons15 No.of Persons10 5 0 <18
18-25 25-35 35-45 >45 Age As visible inthe graphabove,amajorityof the personswere betweenthe
ages18- 25 while aminorityof personswere below18 yearsold.The secondmostinterviewedgroup
was betweenthe ages35- 45.

14. 35. Graph showinghowthe differentgendersviewabortion3025201510 5 0 Pro-life Pro-choiceMFThe
Graph above showsthat8 malesand17 femalesview anabortionas pro-lifewhile 10malesand15
femalesviewanabortionaspro- choice.Itcan be seenthat there isan equaldistributionbetweenthe
choice of pro-life andpro- choice.
36. Chart showingreligioninfluencethe viewsof abortion.2% 42% 56% yesno unsureFromthe above
graph itcan be seenthat56% of thepeople saythatreligioninfluence theirviewsonabortion.The other
42% claimedthatreligionhasnoinfluence ontheirviewswhileanother2% were unsure.
37. CHART SHOWINGRESPONSESTO IF ABORTION ISMURDER 38403530 2625 total personsthat
respond20total malesthat respond1512 12 total femalesthatrespond105 6 5 0 yesno
38. Pie chart showingwhatare personsviewsof anabortion26% KillingaFetusKillingaclumpof tissues
Killingababy10% 64%The above figure showsapie chart whichdisplayspersons‘viewsofanabortion.
64%, whichis the majorityof persons,view anabortionaskillingafetus,followedby26% whoviewan
abortionas killingaclumpof tissues.A verysmall percentage (10%) view anabortionakillingababy.
39. Graph showingthe variousconsiderationsthatshouldbe made if Abortionwasillegal inGuyana.
others2% foetusexaminedtobe teenage pregnancyabnormal.21% 20% womenwhoare dependenton
drugs/alcohol 16%pregnancyas the resultof sexual assault/rape34% single women7%Asdisplayedon
the graph, Majorityof the respondents(34%) consideredthatPregnancyasa resultof sexual
assault/rape shouldbe keptforconsiderationif abortionwasillegal,thenfollowedbyTeenagepregnancy
(21%).However,asmall quantityof the respondentsagreedthatsingle womenare tobe consideredin
relationtoabortion.
40. CHART SHOWINGRESPONSESTO IF ABORTION ISA WOMANSISSUE 11 total femalesthatrespond
21 total malesthat respond12 6 23 total personsthatrespond27 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 brown=yespink=
noOutof 50 participants,27 viewedabortionisawoman‘sissue while23personsdisagreed.Formales,6
personssaidyesand12 personssaidit isnot a woman‘sissue.
41. CHART SHOWINGIF ABORTION ISDANGEROUS60B50 64030 420 44 2 2810 16 0 total personsthat
respondtotal malesthatrespondtotal femalesthatrespondBlue- yesred=no•Total personsthat
respondedpositivetothisquestionwere44 while 6personsrespondednegative.
42. CHART SHOWINGIF THE FETUS SHOULD BE GIVEN PINK=YESGREEN= NO HUMAN RIGHTS PINK- YES
GREEN- NO34 25 16 9 9 7total personsthatrespondtotal malesthatrespondtotal femalesthat
respond
43. Pie chart showingpersonsopinionaswhetherabortionshouldbe afree/fee procedure 26% FEE
FREE 74%As visible inthe pie chart74% of the populationinterviewedbelievesthatafee shouldbe paid
for anabortionwhile 26%believesthatanabortionmustbefree of cost.
44. CHART SHOWINGRESPONSESTO WHEN ABORTION SHOULD TAKE PLACE40 40 30 26 20 14 10 10 4 6
0 total personsthatrespondtotal malesthatrespondtotal femalesthatrespondBLUE=BEFORE4TH
MTHPINK=AFTER4TH MTH BUT BEFORE 6TH MTH

15. 45. Graph showingwhoisresponsible forthe womandeathduringandafteranabortion.25 22 20 19 15
Respondents.105 5 1 0 0 patientdoctorrelative counsellorall ResponceAsshowedinthe graphabove
majorityof the respondentsclaimthatthe Patients(19) aswell asthe Doctor (22) are responsiblefor
thedeath,if the womandiesduringorafteran abortion.5 ofrespondentsalsoagreedthatall of the
personsinvolvedduringtheabortionare responsible.
46. Group’sPositiononAbortionCHARTSHOWINGTHE GROUPS VIEWSON ABORTION 36% PRO-CHOICE
PRO-LIFE64% CHARTSHOWING IF RELIGION INFLUENCESGROUP MEMBERS 45% YES 55% NO
47. CountriesWorldwide &AbortionLawsLiberalization•Between1950 and 1985, nearlyall
industrializedcountries-andseveralothers-liberalizedtheirabortionlaws.Since 1994, more than25
countriesworldwide have liberalizedtheirabortionlaws-whileonlyahandful have tightenedlegal
restrictionsonabortion.•Liberal abortionlawsdonotincrease abortionratesThe WorldHealth
Organizationhasrecognizedthat"womenall overthe worldare highlylikelytohave aninduced
abortionwhenfacedwithanunplannedpregnancy - irrespectiveof legal conditions."
48. • Countriesinthe Global NorthandnorthAsiagenerallyhave the mostliberalabortionlaws•These
countriesgenerallypermitabortioneitherwithoutrestrictionastoreasonor on broad grounds,suchas
for socioeconomicreasons.However,some countriesintheseregions,includingPoland,Malta,andthe
Republicof Korea,maintainrestrictiveabortionlawsthatruncounterto the regional trend.•Incontrast,
countriesinthe Global Southhave generallyadoptedrestrictiveabortionlaws•MostcountriesinAfrica,
Latin America,the Middle East,andsouthernAsiahave severe abortionlaws.Furthermore,threeof the
fourcountriesgenerallyconsideredtoprohibitabortionaltogether-Chile,El Salvador,andNicaragua-are
locatedinLatinAmerica.
49. WORLDWIDE INCIDENCEANDTRENDS• Between1995 and2003, the abortionrate (per1,000
Womenaged15–44) for the worldoverall droppedfrom35to 29, but remainedvirtuallyunchanged,at
28, in2008.• Since 2003, the numberof abortionsfell by600,000 inthe developedworldbutincreased
by 2.8 millioninthe developingworld.•In2008, six millionabortionswere performedindeveloped
countriesand38 millionindevelopingcountries.•Globallythere isnoconsensusonthe issue of
abortion,butinorder to preventthe misuse of inducedabortions,mostcountrieshave created
independentabortionlaws.
50. WORLD MEDICAL ASSOCIATION- DeclarationonTherapeuticAbortionThis internationalorganization
postulatesthat:-The physicianismorallyobligatedto―maintainrespectforhumanlifefrombeginning
to end.‖-Further,the decisiontoterminate apregnancyisa―matterofindividualconvictionand
conscience thatmustbe respected.‖-―Where the law allowstherapeuticabortiontobe performed,the
procedure shouldbe performedbyaphysiciancompetenttodosoinpremisesapprovedbyan
appropriate authority.‖-If the physiciansconvictionsdonotallow forthis,theymaywithdraw while
ensuringthe continuityof medical care byaanotherqualifiedphysician.
51. Abortionbycountry

16. 52. RUSSIA• Russiawasthe firstcountry inthe worldto legalize abortion,in1920. The procedure was
brieflydrivenunderground,butwasliftedin1953.• A decade later,the practice hadbecome so
commonthat the USSR registered5.5millionabortions,comparedto2 millionlive births.•2006 showed
1.6 millionabortionscomparedto1.5 millionlive births -- adismal figure,especiallyinacountry
strugglingwithaloomingdemographiccrisis.•The mostrecentlaw cap abortionsat 12 weeks,imposes
a waitingperiodof upto one weekfrominitial consultationsandrequireswomenoversix weeks
pregnantto see the embryoonultrasound,hearitsheartbeatand have counselingtodeterminehowto
proceed.•Itsabortionrate - 1.3 million,or73 per 100 birthsin2009 - is the worldshighest.
53. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA•In consultationwiththeirphysician,womenhave aconstitutionally
protectedrightto have an abortioninthe earlystagesof pregnancy—thatis,before viabilityupon
request—free fromgovernmentinterference.•Abortionhasbeenlegal inthe USA since 1973, but may
be restrictedbyany of the 56 statesto varyingdegrees.•Approximately3700 abortionsare conducted
dailyinthe UnitedStates.
54. INDIAEnactedin1971, India‘sabortionlawsstipulatedthe followingconditionstoexecute anactof
abortion:1.A pregnancymaybe terminatedbya registeredmedical practitionerwhere pregnancydoes
not exceed12consultationof tworegisteredpractitionersrequiredweeks(between12-20 weeks) under
the belief that- (i) the continuance of pregnancywouldinvolve risktothe life of the pregnantwomanor
grave injuryto herphysical ormental health;or (ii) substantial riskexiststhatif the childwere born,it
wouldsufferfromsuchphysical ormental abnormalitiesastobe seriouslyhandicapped2.A pregnancy
occurringas a resultof rape3.Failure of contraceptive device usedbyacouple
55. ISRAELA 1977 lawensuresalegal abortiontoany womanwhofillsone of fourcriteria:•She isunder
18 or over40• She iscarrying a fetuswitha seriousmental orphysical defect•She claimsthatthe fetus
resultsfromforbiddenrelationssuchasrape or incestor, in the case of a marriedwoman,thatthe baby
isnot her husband‘s•She showsthatbycontinuingthe pregnancy,herphysical ormental healthwould
be damagedOf the 19,544 casesof abortiongrantedof the 20,900 submittedthattookplace inIsrael in
2007, data showedthat55% ofabortionswere aresultof incest,illegal relationsorout-ofwedlock
conception.
56. CHINA•Chinabegantryingto control itsmassive populationgrowthin1970 and introducedaone-
child-per-familypolicyin1980. Assuch has made abortionlegal inorderto maintainpopulationcontrol.
Approximately13Millionabortionsare carriedouteachyear inChina.“Illegal BirthsandLegal
Abortion”•Illegal Birth-The birthof aChildoutside the approval of the government.•Legal Abortion-
The abortionof a childtocomplywiththeone-childpolicy.
57. VENEZUELA In Venezuelaabortionisonlypermittedtosave the life of the womaninwhichcase the
woman,herhusbandor herlegal representativemustpresentherwrittenconsent.The law establishes
up to 2 years prisonforthe womanwhoaborts while whoeverpracticesthe abortionfacesupto30
monthsprison.CUBA Cubawasthe firstcountry to signandthe secondtoratifythe Conventiononthe
Eliminationof All Formsof DiscriminationagainstWomen(CEDAW).Abortionislegal inthe country
since 1965. The maximumperiodof time tofile forlegal abortionis10weeksof pregnancy,fromthen

17. onwardsabortionisonlylegal if the healthof the womanisat risk.Abortionspracticedoutside the
publichealthsystemare penalized.
58. RELIGION & ABORTIONCHRISTIANITYChristiansbelievethatlife beginsatthe instantofconception.
Therefore,abortionismurderandisprohibitedbythe TenCommandments.(Exodus20:13)The Church
todayfirmlyholdsthat"the firstrightof the humanpersonishislife"andthatlife isassumedtobeginat
fertilization.The equalityofall humanlife isfundamental andcomplete,anydiscriminationisevil.
59. ISLAMA notable verse fromthe Qur‘anreads:―Donot kill yourchildrenforfearof poverty:we shall
provide sustenanceforthemaswell asfor you.Verilythe killingof themisagreatsin‖(17:31).For a
womancarryingan illegitimate childfromextramaritalsex orrape,the consensusisthatshe should
givebirth,however,if the scarof rape is tooheavy,thenthedecisionishers.However,All schoolsof
Muslimlawaccept that abortionispermittedonlyif continuingthe pregnancywouldputthe motherslife
inreal danger.
60. HINDUISMClassical Hindutextsstronglyopposedabortion:one comparesabortiontothe killingof a
priest,one considersabortionagreatersinthan killingof one‘sparentsandanothersaysthata
womanwhoabortsherchildwill lose hercaste.Unlessamothershealthisatrisk,traditionalHindu
teachingsandtextscondemnabortionbecause itisthoughttoviolate the religionsteachingsof non-
violence (Ahisma).
61. Many people are very,veryconcernedwiththechildreninIndia,withthe childreninAfricawhere
quite a numberdie,maybe ofmalnutrition,of hunger andsoon,but millionsaredyingdeliberatelyby
the will of the mother.Andthisiswhatisthe greatestdestroyerof peacetoday.Because if amothercan
kill herownchild -whatisleftforme to kill youandyou kill me --there isnothingbetween-
MOTHERTERESA, Nobel Lecture,Dec11, 1979
62. ReferencesAbortion.(2004).Retrievedfrom:
http://www.pjmwh2pt1.lunarpages.com/PPT%20Presentations/NURS%205405%20St udent/4%20-
%20Abortion/2004%20PPP%20Abortion.pdfAbortion.(2010).Retrievedfrom:
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=17774Abortion.(2012).Retrievedfrom: