This document discusses abortion from several perspectives: 1) It defines abortion as the removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the uterus, and notes that over 42 million abortions occurred worldwide in 2003. 2) It outlines the history of abortion and different methods used, including traditional practices, surgical procedures like suction aspiration and dilation and curettage, and medical abortions using pills. 3) It examines the controversial issue of when human life begins, outlining perspectives of those who are pro-life, pro-choice, and have a more moderate position on abortion. Religious views on abortion from Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are also addressed.

1. Pro- choice…orPro-life… Abortion…

2. What is abortion?Is it suicide?Is it intoxication?Is it an act of killing?Is it a legitimate social escape?Can we have sex and still escape it?Should it be legal or not? Simple, scientific words define “abortion”: as the following: An abortion is the removal or expulsion of an embryo or fetus from the uterus, resulting in or caused by its death. Abortion: Definition

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OX0JVamXpIs Abortion: Definition

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IU2pG8O0BY Abortion: Definition

5. Year 2003: 42 million “abortions” around the world!!! As a world ration 26 induced abortion are done out of 100 known abortions It is up to YOU to choose! But, just before, take a deeper look into the word and the world of Abortion. Abortion: Definition

6. Abortion was performed before through:Traditional medicineBotanical AbortifacientsSharpened toolsAbdominal pressure Abortion: History

7. Spontaneous abortion: expulsion of an embryo or fetus due to accidental trauma or natural causes Induced abortion: intentional expulsion of the embryo or fetus, through many ways that could depend on:gestational agelegality of the methodregional availability of the methoddoctor/patient preference Abortion: Forms

8. The different causes of abortion could be classified according to two types, the first is therapeutic and the second is elective:all causes are considered therapeutic if they fall under:#saving the life of the pregnant women#preserving the women’s physical and mental health#terminating pregnancy resulting in the birth of a child with congenital disorders#reducing health risks associated with multiple pregnancy. Therefore an elective reason would be any one not present in the above mentioned list. Abortion: but WHY??????????????

9. Abortion can be done according to several ways, divided into surgical and medical:Surgical: 1- suction aspiration: consisting of the suction of the fetus 0r embryo using a manual syringe. 2- dilation and curettage: consisting of cleaning the walls of the uterus with a curette. Medical: mostly during the first semester of gestation, by taking pills. Abortion: Methods

10. A fundamental question, which shapes the views… ? WHEN DOES HUMAN LIFE BEGIN?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Abortion: The controversy

11. Three different currents try to explain the question in the last slide, according to their set of moral standards. The three currents are:1- Antiabortion, pro-life or anti-choice2- Abortion on request or prochoice3- moderate position on abortion All these currents agree that there is life at conception, which could emerge at any stage of the gestation… the arguments for each current will be staged one after one. Abortion: The controversy

12. 1- Antiabortion, pro-life or anti-choice: This group believes in the genetic view of the beginning of human life, which implies that life begins at conception. Their arguments are summarized by the following:#life is sacred and has value, therefore every unborn child must be regarded as a human being from the moment of conception#the Domino effect may start to take place, example of Hitler's atrocities which began by legalizing abortion Abortion: The controversy

13. 1- Antiabortion, pro-life or anti-choice: #Abortion is both medically and psychologically harmful to women#Modern technological medical advances negate claims that pregnancy is dangerous for the mother#Cost cannot be a factor when human life is concerned#women should take responsibilities for their sexual behavior and cannot sacrifice life because of their carelessness#rape do not justify taking an innocent life. What do you think? Abortion: The controversy

14. 2- Abortion on request or prochoice: Proponents of this current claim that women should have full control over their body, where a “conceptus”, until it is born, is thought to be a part of the women’s body. Their arguments are summarized by the following:#a conceptus cannot be considered living unless it is born#unwanted and deformed children should not be brought to this world, especially that adoption is not a solution#abortion is no-risk medical treatment, and women who undergo it, have less treatment then those who go through unwanted pregnancies#the Domino argument is not valid Abortion: The controversy

15. 2- Abortion on request or prochoice:#carrying to term a pregnancy resulting from rape is a damaging psychological experience for any woman#this choice can be made only by the woman, no one has the right to interfere. What do you think? Abortion: The controversy

16. 3- moderate position on abortion: proponents of such compromise, claim that the first two currents are opposing in term of arguments, they would never meet. So it is proposed:#there are no absolutes for either position, the value of life principle is important, but there is no absolute right to life for the conceptus#the point of time when life begins could be synthesized from both theories, because in either cases it is extreme#the conceptus is not human at conception, but gains value toward becoming a human being along with gestation. What do you think? Abortion: The controversy

17. Christianity:Roman Catholics: Against it in all reasons, even if the baby is deformedEastern orthodox: Against it, unless the life both baby and mother are endangeredPresbyterians: Pro-choice. Islam: The life of the mother is the most important, and by abortion the greater evil is avoided. Judaism: They vary from the orthodox prohibitory and liberal proponents of abortion. So do you agree with what your religions says? Abortion: Religious implications