Works Consulted

"Abortion." Current Issues: Macmillan Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 16 Apr. 2012.

Abortion of 23 week pregnancy. Digital image. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://earthreview.eu/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/de.jpg>.

"The Abortion Pill (Medication Abortion)." Abortion Pill. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/abortion/abortion-pill-medication-abortion-4354.asp>.

Abortion providers in the United States. Digital image. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSaT3CiomAa4YwwewuWVgpcqLIpkW2uDGZXiAf8mgeXg01fG0KVkJya735_6cOsMwQIHD4CMKjAv1anZ67WcGuNWtfKhU-zVUTpVRpEBRZQy6LtbFkf1RaaltybAZLy-vr7jvXWona6k73/s1600/Abortion-Provider-Map1.jpg>.

"Abortion." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Apr. 2012. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion>.

Abortions per 1000 live births. Digital image. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://www.abortionsarewrong.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/abortion-statistics-distribution-map.jpg>.

Baby saying I don't have panel. Digital image. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://excusemycharisma.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/tribune-abortion.jpg>.

Development of a fetus. Digital image. Yale Medical Group. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://www.yalemedicalgroup.org/stw/images/237826.jpg>.

Devitt Gov Ad: Pro Choice. 24 Nov. 2008. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4I7q3BUuGc>.

Greenburg. Definition of Abortion. Digital image. Catoonstock.com. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/sge/lowres/sgen64l.jpg>.

"In-Clinic Abortion Procedures." What Happens During an Abortion. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/abortion/in-clinic-abortion-procedures-4359.asp>.

Lowen, Linda. "10 Abortion Arguments: 10 Arguments For Abortion, 10 Arguments Against Abortion." About.com Women's Issues. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://womensissues.about.com/od/reproductiverights/a/AbortionArgumen.htm>.

My body my choice. Digital image. Web. <http://www.flickr.com/photos/karamccullar/2128353571/>.

Obama and God fighting. Digital image. Jill Stanek. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://www.jillstanek.com/obama.jpg>.

"Pregnancy." BabyCenter. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://www.babycenter.com/pregnancy>.

Pregnancy Options. PregnancyOptions.info. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://www.pregnancyoptions.info/pdfs/PregnancyOptions_WB.pdf>.

"Pregnancy Options Workbook." Pregnancy Options. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://www.pregnancyoptions.info/pdfs/PregnancyOptions_WB.pdf>.

ProCon.org. "Abortion ProCon.org." Abortion.ProCon.org. ProCon.org, 13 Mar. 2012. Web. 16 Apr. 2012.

Pro Life? What Is It? Personhoodusa, 3 June 2011. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgDcihrotIA&feature=youtube_gdata_player>.

"PROLIFE: 10 Arguments Against Abortion." Christian Action. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://www.christianaction.org.za/articles/10rguments.htm>.

Pro-life and pro-choice butting heads. Digital image. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://blogs.e-rockford.com/applesauce/files/2009/05/0000003.png>.

"Religion and Abortion." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 04 Dec. 2012. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_and_abortion>.

Ruse, Cathy C. "Family Research Council." The Best Pro-Life Arguments for Secular Audiences. Family Research Council. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://www.frc.org/brochure/the-best-pro-life-arguments-for-secular-audiences>.

Slick, Matt. "Why Is Abortion Wrong?" CARM. CARM. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://carm.org/why-abortion-is-wrong>.

Slick, Matt. "Why Is Abortion Wrong?" CARM. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://carm.org/why-abortion-is-wrong>.

Surgical Abortion at 9 weeks. Digital image. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://survivors.la/images/sa-9-weeks.jpg>.

Views when life begins. Digital image. Ideagrove. Web. 16 Apr. 2012. <http://www.ideagrove.com/uploaded_images/2005abortion-770060.jpg>.

Development of a Baby

I decided on this subtopic becuase this is one of the roots debates on the debate of abortion. It is the debate of when a fetus becomes a baby. Is it at conception? Is it at birth? Or is it even somewhere inbetween? To help figure that out, I found out what happened at each week during the pregnancy.

This is what the baby looks like throughout the pregnancy:

Below is what happens during each week of the pregnancy to help me determine when the fetus becomes a baby:


2 weeks: The sperm's nucleus merges with the egg's nucleus. The gender is decided.
3 weeks: The zygote starts getting nutrients that it needs to grow. It also starts discarding waste through a primitive circulartory system.
4 weeks: The amniotic sac and amniotic fluid become present.
5 weeks: The neural tube starts to develop from which the brain, spinal chord, nerves, and backbone begin to sprout. The first layer of the tube also gives rise to skin, hair, nails, mammary and swear glands, and tooth enamel. The heart and circulartory system begin to form and the heart begins to beat.
6 weeks: The nose, mouth, and ears begin to develop. The arms and legs begin to protrude. The heart is beating at 100-160 beats per minute. The intestines begin to develop, the bud to the lungs appear, the pituitary gland starts to form, as are the rest of the brain, muscles, and bones.
7 weeks: The hands and feet start emerging and the eyelids start to form.
8 weeks: Webbed fingers and toes stick out. The eyelids continue to form and are fused to the eye. Breathing tubes form from the mouth to the developing lungs.
9 weeks: The heart finishes dividing into the four chambers. The teeth start to form. Organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The eyes are formed. The mouth, nose, and ears become more distinct.
10 weeks: It is the beginning of the fetal period. The kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver are starting to function. Nails form on the fingers and peach fuzz is covering the skin. The limbs can also bend now.
11 weeks: The hands soon start opening and closing into fists, tooth buds are beginning to appear. The fetus is already kicking and stretching, though the mother feels nothing. The diaphram is forming.
12 weeks: Reflexes start kicking in. The fingers soon are able to open and close individually. The toes can curl, the eye muscles clench, the mouth can suck a thumb, the kidneys begin to secrete urine, the eyes move from the side of the head to the fromt of the head. The ears move to almost the right place.
13 weeks: The fingertips form and the body size catches up to the head. The organs are clearly visible through thin skin.
14 weeks: It can now squint, frown, pee, and suck its thumb. The body starts to be able to stretch out. A fine downy covering of hair develops all over the body. The liver starts making bile. The hands and feet are more flexible and active.
15 weeks: The air sacs in the lungs begin to develop. The legs grow stronger than the arms. It can move all joints and limbs and can sense light. The taste buds are forming. It may be possible to tell the gender through the use of an ultrasound.
16 weeks: The legs are much more developed and the head more erect than before. The toenails begin to develop.
17 weeks: The skeleton is changing to bone and the sweat glands start to develop.
18 weeks: The arms and legs begin to flex. The ears are in final position. The uterus and fallopian tubes form in girls. The genetals become noticable in boys.
19 weeks: The brain starts designating specail areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. It may be able to hear voices. The arms and legs are in the right proportions now. Hair is beginning to sprout on the scalp.
20 weeks: It can now swallow. Merconium, which is the sticky black by product of digestion, is produced.
21 weeks: Movement may now start to be felt by mother. The eyebrows and lids are present. The vagina begins to form for girls.
22 weeks: The lips, eyelids, eyebrows are more distinct and tooth buds form beneath gums. The eyes are formed but lack pigment in the irises. The pancreas is developing steadily.
23 weeks: The blood vessels that allow breathing are forming. The ears are becoming more keen.
24 weeks: The brain is growing quickly. The taste buds and lungs continue to develop.
25 weeks: The body gains more weight and hair.
26 weeks: It can hear both parents chat with each other. Small amounts of amniotic fluid are inhaled and exhaled. The body continues to put on baby fat. The testicles begin to decent into scrotum for boys.
27 weeks: At regular intervals it sleeps and wakes. The eyes open and close. The brain is very active and thumb sucking possible. The rythmic movement a mother might feel could be hiccups.
28 weeks: The eyes have lashes. It might be possible for it to see light that filters int hrough the womb.
Continuing to adding baby fat to body.
29 weeks: The head is growing bigger. The skeleton is hardening and bones are absorbing calcium.
30 weeks: The eyesight is developing, though not very keen. The skeleton continues to harden and grow larger.
31 weeks: There is movement of the head from side to side. The arms, legs and body begin to plump out. There is a lot of movement of extremities.
32 weeks: The skin is becoming soft and smooth. The body is gaining weight fast. The toemails , fingernails and real hair are deveoped.
33 weeks: The skeleton continues to harden. The overall appearance is less alien like.
34 weeks:  The body begins to round out and the central nervous system and lungs are maturing. It can now be born and survive.
35 weeks: There is not much room to move around. The kidneys are fully developed. The liver can process some waste product. Most of the basic physical elements are complete.
36 weeks: More weight is gained. The down covering of hair on body is shedding. It now is called a full term baby.
37 weeks: The hair is fully developed on head(usually). The lungs are most likely to be mature enough to fully adjust to the outside world.
38 weeks: The body is plumped up- more weight gain. The hands can apply firm grip. The organs are matured and ready for outside world.
39 weeks: The layer of fat continues to build to prepare for the outside world.
40 weeks: It is ready for birth. The skull bones are not yet fused, so that the baby will fit through the birth canal.
41 weeks: If not born within the next week labor will probably be induced.
("Pregnancy")

I also wanted to look at what people around the world think. I looked around the internet and came to this conclusion: They think everything. I saw answers ranging from the moment of conception, to the first breath, and anything inbetween. I think this is a part of why abortion is such a big issue. Many people say that abortion is killing a living baby, yet others say that it isn't. When the fetus becomes a baby, is the whole root of the debate. If everyone agreed on when the fetus became a baby, there wouldn't be near as much debate on it. What do you think? Does the fetus become a baby at conception? When the heart starts beating? When the mother starts feeling the baby? Or even at first breath of oxygenated air? For me, it is when the baby can feel pain and has feelings.

Below is a picture of when a pastor, a judge, and a teenager think life begins.

Religion and Abortion

Most religions are against abortion and consider it a sin. Christians, especially label it as a sin and one way pass to hell. Matt Slick wrote, "The primary reason abortion is wrong is because God said we are not to murder." He also writes that many people have been served justice for doing wrong things, but what did a baby in the womb do to deserve death? Have they broken any laws? No, they haven't. Yet they are still killed daily. (Slick
)
Based on my research most religions do not support abortion. The only religion I saw that supported it was the Unitarian Universalism Church. They strongly support abortion rights. Judaism is a mix half and half. Generally, orthadox Jews oppose abortion and conservative Jews allow abortion. Islam does not have a specific view on whether abortion is okay. They all agree,however, that after 120 days, abortion is not allowed under any circumstances. They believe this becuase that is when a fetus is thought to become a living soul. Classic Hindus strongly condemn abortion. Most modern Hindus are getting abortions in India to prevent having a girl because boys are more valuable. Some Hindus do support abortion, but it is only when the mother's life is in danger or when the fetus could have a life threatening disease. Christians have a long history with abortion. It doesn't specifically say that abortion is condemned, but it does say in the ten commandments that "thou shalt not murder (wiki religion)." Many contemporary denominations are split though. The Catholic Church, Eastern Orthadox Church, Oriental Orthadoxy, and most evangelical Protestants consider abortion immoral. However, the Methodist Church, United Church of Christ, and Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, among other are more leaniant with abortion. Buddhists don't have one single view of abortion. The traditional sources say that it should be rejected. The Dalai Lama says that abortion is not good, but there are certain circumstances where it would be approved. Overall the Buddhists say that if there is a health concern, it is okay, but will not go without karmic consequences. ("Religion and Abortion")
So as you can see, religions are all divided up when it comes to abortion. Some say it is condenmed no matter what, while others give a little leenway to the reason.

Below is a picture of religion and abortion. Basically God and the baby are trying to get together and Obama is stopping it.

Pro-Choice

Below is what the pro-choice people believe.

1. Nearly all the abortions take place in the first trimester. The fetus cannot survive without the mother at this point so it cannot be considered another human being.
2. Adoption is not a alternative to abortion becuase it is still the womans choice. If the mother goes through with the pregnancy, there is very little chance that she will still give it up for adoption.
3. Abortion is a safe medical procedure. There is a .5% chance that there will be serious complications with the abortion and it does not affect the woman's health nor their ability to get pregnant again. (Lowen)
4. If a woman is raped and gets pregnant, she shouldn't have to be constatly reminded of the ordeal by the pregnancy. There also would be psychological harm if she is always reminded of it.
5. The ability to have control of your body is crucial to civil rights. If the woman can be forced to carry out a pregnancy, can they also be forced to take a contraceptive? Even when they don't want one?
6. Taxpayers dollars help the poorer women out if they need an abortion. It is to make it more fair between all women. It would not be fair if only the rich women could get abortions.
7. Teen mothers have a greater tendency to drop out of school early, recieve inadequate prenatal care, rely on unemplyment for pay, develop mental disorders, or get divorced. (Abortion ProCon.org)
8. A woman's right to chose is a right recognized by the Supreme Court in 1973 Roe vs. Wade case.
9. Fetuses are incapable of feeling pain when the abortion is performed because the development hasn't occured yet.
10. Being a mother shouldn't be punishment for making a mistake. (Abortion)

There are many more reasons, but I only highlighted a few. To recap, pro-choice people say it isnt the governments place to choose wether women get an abortion or not, adoption is not a good alternative to abortion, and abortion is extremely safe.

Below is two pictures of what pro-choice women think.

Here is a video explaining why many people are pro-choice also.

Pro-Life

What I am doing in this post is to inform why the pro-life people think the way they do. I am basically going to give their side of the story of abortoin and why they think it is wrong.


1. Everyone believes in the sanctity of life. Pro-life people say that abortion is in defiance to it. They say that life begins at conception and having an abortion is akin to murder. (Ruse)
2. Since no one can commit murder without punishment, no abortion should happen without punishment.
3. Instead of aborting a child, the mother should give up the child for adoption. There are many people that are willing to adopt an infant. In fact, there are about 1.5 million wanting to adopt. No child is unwanted.
4. Having an abortion can result in more complications in pregnancies in the future. The risk for breast cancer and miscarriage doubles.
5. Many tax-payers are against abortion, so it is wrong for the government to fund abortion through taxes.
6. Many women who get an abortion are younger and didn't fully understand what they were doing. A lot of women regret getting the abortion the rest of their lives. (Lowen)
7. The cost of abortion is costing the government millions.
8. Abortion aggravates child abuse. If the child can be expendable outside of the womb, why can't it be expendable outside of the womb? Killing a child is morally wrong outside of the womb, so it should also be wrong to kill a child inside the womb. (Ruse)
9. Having an abortion will increase the chances of breast cancer greatly. "During the woman's first pregnancy, a hormone called oestrogen, causes the breast cells to divide, become mature, and capable of secreting milk. During this process of cell division they are more suscepible to carcinogens (cancer causing agents). If the pregnancy continues to full term the woman's breasts are then fully mature, the cells stop dividing rapidly and this counterbalances the initial surge of oestrogen. However, if the woman has an abortion, that natural process is interrupted. Her breast cells remain immature and are more susceptible to breast cancer. (PROLIFE: 10 Arguments Against Abortion)"
10. The bible says that our lives are precious and those that take other lives, forfeights the right to their own life. Because we are all created by God, no one has the right to kill another person. Wether they are in the womb or not. (PROLIFE: 10 Arguments Against Abortion)


The pro-life people have many reasons, but they have a few main reasons. One, the bible says thou shall not murder and abortion is a form of murder. Two, the risk for breast cancer greatens when you get an abortion. Three, many who get the abortion are young and don't fully understand.

Below is a picture depicting what the "child" would say if they could talk in the womb.

This is a video depicted what being pro-life means.

Methods of Abortion

There are two different main kinds of abortion--medical and surgical.
A surgical abortion is when a doctor removes the pregnancy through the uterus. First, they numb the uterus with an anesthetic close to Novocaine. Then they stretch the uterus to put in a small tube, and remove the pregnancy with suction. If the pregnancy is in the early stages, it can take only five to ten minutes. This type of abortion has about a 99% success rate. It also has a very low risk of injury or infection when done by certified clinitians. Surgical abortion can be used from about five weeks pregnant to 14 weeks pregnant.  There is some bleeding after the initial procedure. It usually lasts around nine days, a normal period. The price for surgical abortion varies from doctor to doctor, but is usually less than a medical abortion. (In-Clinic Abortion Procedures) (Pregnancy Options)

There are two types of medical abortion: mifoprostone with misoprostol, and methotrexate with misoprostol. One of both othe the types may be available in clinics. However, methotrexate takes longer and is usually less effective than mifepristone.
Mifepristone was developed in France. In the United States, we call it Mifeprex. It is a pill that is swallowed in a clinic or a doctor's office. It basically stops the supply of a hormone needed for the pregnancy to grow. The medication used after that is called misoprostol or Cytotic. It is usually taken one to two days later then Mifeprex. Cytotic causes the uterus to empty itself by cramping and bleeding. This type has a 92-96% success rate. The second type uses methotrexate with Cytotic. Methotrexate is an injection or an oral medication that is given by a doctor. Methotrexate stops the embryotic cell growth. This medication can also stop a tubal pregnancy that is outside of the uterus in the fallopian tubes. After four to seven days the Cytotic is taken to empty out the uterus.
Mifeplex and methotrexate is used up to seven weeks in the pregnancy. The whole process overall takes around two to three weeks with both types. Heavy bleeding is very common during these processes and the period-like bleeding can last up to seventeen days. Mifeplex's success rate is 92-97% by day fifteen and methotrexate has a 92-96% success rate by day thirty. The only real caution with both processes is that some women could be allergic to the medications. There are also many side-effects of both processes which include nausea, vomitting, diarrhea, cramping, bleeding, headache, dizzyness, and fever or chills. Both processes also have the potential to need a surgical abortion also if the medication didn't work. These two types of medical abortion also vary in cost, but are usually more expensive than surgical. (The Abortion Pill) (Pregnancy Options)

Overall, there are two main kinds of abortion: medical and surgical. The surgical is predictable, highly successful, and has less bleeding and cramps. The medical abortion processes include a miscarriage-like process, avoids shots, and can be done at home for more privacy. (Abortion) All type are safe, unlike common belief.

Below is a picture of a medical abortion at 9 weeks.

Below is a medical abortion at 23 weeks.

Introduction

Hey all! This is my english project about abortion. It covers the methods of abortion, pro-life, pro-choice, religion and abortion, and development of a fetus (One of the roots of the debate consists of when the fetus is considered a baby. Some say conception, some say when the heart beats, and others say when the baby is born.) I chose to do abortion for a couple of reasons. One, I wanted to become informed. Two, it is a huge controversy. There were a lot of rumors flying around and I wanted to find out the facts.Three, I think this topic would be easier to persuade since we should use this topic for a persuasive essay also.
I thought that the research for this was going to be easy as cake. I was wronger than the Mayan calender! It was extremely difficult to find unbiased information to use. Most of the information that I saw either cost money to look at, or was biased. It was also difficult to find non-graphic pictures. So I mainly focused on political cartoons. They were biased (of coarse) but they served the purpose that I was looking for.
To sum it all up, this project was fun, yet educational. Who knew? I got to learn about abortion and become informed. It took a little hard work and praying that it goes well, but I pulled it off.
(:

Here is a picture of how many abortions there are per 1,000 live births in America.

To see how the world thought of abortion I found a picture of what the general laws were in each country.

I also wanted to see how many abortion clinics there were in each state so I found another picture.