New Member Tournament: Abortion

I intend to show you that a woman has the right to choose whether to abort a child. Self -OwnershipSelf-Ownership is a natural right; one which is universal and evident beyond that of legal rights. Self-Ownership is the right that an individual has to own his body, and to own the decisions made about his person. Although it is debatable whether or not Self-Ownership is fully covered in the American Constitution, we can see examples of how this natural right is implemented in our society. For example, we are given the right to Emergency medical services without insurance or a form of up-front payment. This allows us to make the appropriate decision concerning our body and its needs. Pregnancy changes a womens body and comes with an onslaught of complications. Even the most common of pregnancy complications; such as an ectopic pregancy, Rh Negative diseases, group b strep, preterm labor, and gestational diabeties, can result in a serious risk of the woman's health and the possibility of death. [1] Denying a woman the right to terminate these risks is denying the right to self-ownership and subsequently denying the right to save ones own life. Because universal rights will always override legal rights, we know that many women get abortions regardless of it being illegal. Legality does not affect the rate at which people decide to get abortions, although it does affect the dangers. The World Health Organization conducted a research in 2003 where they found that approximately 20 million unsafe abortions are performed each year and 67,000 of those women die, most in countries where abortion is illegal. Between 2 and 7 million of these unsafe abortions result in long-term damage or disease. [2]Taking the premeptive steps to allow women to have their self-ownership rights will result in safer choices for women and their babies. Responsibility of the ParentParents are responsible for making the best decisions for their children. Sometimes this can mean cutting the chord of life in order to end a childs suffering. It is only appropriate that the same can be said for a fetus growing in the womb. The mother reserves the right to make the appropriate decisions that could affect her and her childs health and well being. Some examples of concern for well-being:- Alcoholism and addictions resulting in fetal alcohol syndrom or other birth defects. [3]- Fatal diseases, such as AIDS, being passed on to the baby. - Risk of life for the mother. Value of LifeLife doesn't necessarily equate to valuable life. This is an extension of my last point in that it is the paren'ts responsibility to decide for themselves what determines the value of life, and at what extent that value is being compromised for the sake of pro-life. Not all parents will make the best decision at which point it would be advisable to seek out professional advice. This could be legally implemented. With professional adivse, one would be more prepared in their decision. The fact of the matter is that someoe can guide but not force a parent into the right choice. Some examples of concern for value of life:- A rape victim, in which the baby would be susceptible to the mothers negative feelings associated with the event surrounding his birth. - When the mother has mental health issues that could result in a dangerous living environment for the child. ConclusionEveryone has their own beliefs about the morality of abortion. I am not advocating that abortion is the right thing to do. In fact, I feel very personally about my body and know that terminating a baby would be terminating a part of my spirit. I have the right to this desicion, and so does every woman. Forcing someone not to abort is as wrong as forcing someone to abort. 1. . http://www.americanpregnancy.org...2. . http://www.nytimes.com...3. . http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov...