abortion

1) The debate on when life begins has been worldwide since before we even knew what it was. Many people have many different views on when this happens. What I'm saying is not that science has proved when life begins, but it has proved some basic guidelines for an idea of it. For example: At Or Near Birth: Which is measured by fetal viability outside the mother's body. Meaning around a month or few weeks before the due date of the pregnancy. Neurological View: Which is measured by brainwave criteria. Meaning life begins when a distinct EEG pattern can be detected, about 24 to 27 weeks. There is a strong argument between scientists that the recognizable EEG patterns produced by a mature brain is a defining characteristic of humanity. Therefore, the moment that a developing fetus first exhibits a consistent EEG pattern is indicative of the beginning of human life. It is from this point and onward during development that the fetus is capable of the type of mental activity associated with humanity. Embryologic View: Which is when the embryo undergoes gastrulation, and twinning is no longer possible. Gastrulation commences at the beginning of the third week of pregnancy, when the zygote, now known as an embryo is implanted into the uterus of the mother. this occurs about 12 days into development. The philosophers who support this position argue that there is a difference between a human individual and a human person. A zygote is both human and numerically single and thus a human individual. However, because individuality is not certain until implantation is complete, and because individuality is a necessary condition of personhood, the zygote is not yet a human person. http://www.thesurvivaldoctor.com... science.jburroughs.org/mbahe/BioEthics/.../Whendoeshumanlifebegin.pdf 2) Rape: Nonconsensual sexual penetration of an individual, obtained by force or threat, or in cases in which the victim is not capable of consent. Sexual Assault: The forcible perpetration of an act of sexual contact on the body of another person, male or female, without his or her consent. They are basically the same thing and sometimes does not cover all of the 237,868 that are sexually abused. What about the woman that aren't as lucky as the others and do end up pregnant? Why would they want a baby to constantly remind them of what they've been through? http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com... http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com... assault 3) Adolescent pregnancies have many risk factors for their babies. Weight Gain: They are less likely to gain adequate weight during their pregnancy, leading to low birth weight, which is associated with several infant and childhood disorders and a higher rate of infant mortality. Low-birth weight babies are more likely to have organs that are not fully developed, which can result in complications, such as bleeding in the brain, respiratory distress syndrome, and intestinal problems. Nutrition: They have a higher rate of poor eating habits than older women and are less likely to take recommended daily vitamins to maintain adequate nutrition during pregnancy. Teens also are more likely to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or take drugs during pregnancy, which can cause health problems for the baby. Prenatal Care: They receive regular prenatal care less often than older women. Prenatal care is essential for monitoring the growth of the fetus and the health of the mother. Medical professionals provide important information about good nutrition and about other ways to ensure a healthy pregnancy. According to the American Medical Association, babies born to women who do not have regular prenatal care are 4 times more likely to die before the age of 1 year. After Affects: These children are less likely to receive proper nutrition, health care, and cognitive and social stimulation. As a result, they are at risk for lower academic achievement. They also are at increased risk for abuse and neglect. Boys born to teen mothers are 13% more likely to be arrested or jailed later in life, and girls are 22% more likely to become teen mothers themselves. http://www.healthcommunities.com... 4) During pregnancy, women go through many things such as fatigue, lightheadedness, nausea, frequent urination, and swollen abdomen. During pregnancy, adolescents have a much higher risk of severe medical conditions such as placenta previa, pregnancy-induced hypertension, premature delivery, anemia, and toxemia. Adolescent mothers are about 2 years behind in their age group for completing their education. Women who have a baby in their teen years are more likely to live in poverty and have another baby within 2 years of their first child. http://www.nlm.nih.gov... 5) In this explanation, I will go back to my previous statement. You accept abortion ONLY if the woman is in a life-threatening circumstance. That does not mean you think it should be illegal, it just means you only think it should be used for one option. 6) 'If abortion were illegal, the doctors couldn't just request the government let them slide by the law to save her life.' In saying this, I was giving an example of if abortion were illegal. If it were against the law, there would be no abortions, period. If abortion were to be legal just under life threatening circumstances (which is your case), then it would be the law saving her life. 7) My first point discusses some ideas on when life begins, but the heart starts to beat 18 days from conception, and by 21 days the heart is pumping blood through a closed circulatory system. This link also has some other milestones of development: http://prolifeaction.org... http://prolifeaction.org... Overall in conclusion to this debate, my stance will be pro-choice. Pro-Choice does not mean that I fully support abortions because I don't. I believe that if you slip up one night and then decide that you don't want a baby after all, then it is your responsibility to care for this child. Pro-Choice gives the option of choice. The choice that under certain circumstances a baby shouldn't be in the picture, the choice to start fresh and carry on with the life you dreamed for yourself. I believe that if you catch this pregnancy early, there will be no harm to this baby through an abortion. I'd like to thank my opponent for this very interesting debate and all the people who commented. Happy Holidays.