ktmeng/mec huggingface dataset:
Topic: abortion

-ABORTIONS , which increased markedly in the 1850s and 1860s, especially among middle-class white women, had been legal until the fetus “quickened,” or moved inside the uterus. The -AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (AMA) and religious groups led the successful move to have state legislatures impose criminal penalties on persons performing abortions. In some states, women who had abortions could also be held criminally liable.
Topic: abortion

C. How big a problem? It affects everybody, the parents, the child, and the family. -Approximately one-third of American women become pregnant before the age of 20. -Twenty-five percent of teen mothers live below the federal poverty line. Nearly 80 percent of teen mothers eventually go on welfare. Teens that give birth also spend a greater length of time receiving public assistance—an average of three years longer than older mothers through age 35. Teen mothers are also more likely to have lower family incomes later in life.(NARAL)
Topic: abortion

D. What are the ill effects of this problem? Harmful to the teen, and teens future The American Medical Association concluded in a 1992 study that parental-consent and notice laws “increase the gestational age at which the induced pregnancy termination occurs, thereby also increasing the risk associated with the procedure.” Although a first or second trimester abortion is far safer than childbirth, the risk of complications significantly increases for each week that elapses after eight weeks. (Philip, Diana) “A Toledo, Ohio judge denied a bypass for a 17-year-old, an “A” student who planned to attend college and who testified she was not financially or emotionally prepared for college and motherhood at the same time, stating that the girl had not had enough hard knocks in her life.” (Philip, Diana)
Topic: abortion

A. Solution(s) or steps age-appropriate health and sex education with medically accurate information; access to confidential health services, including family planning; life-options programs that offer teens practical life skills and the motivation to delay sexual activity; and programs for pregnant and parenting teens that teach parenting skills and help ensure that teens finish school. B.Specific details on how this problem can be solved: an emphasis should be placed on reducing teen pregnancy. C.Best plan or most important first step:
Topic: abortion

A Pennsylvania study found that of the 60 judicial districts in the state, only eight were able to provide complete information about Pennsylvania’s judicial-bypass procedure. Some county courts referred minors to anti-choice crisis pregnancy centers that typically provide false and misleading information about abortion and pressure women to carry their pregnancies to term. (Borgman, Caitlin). D. Reasons it is best or most important: Lays foundation and protection for the child and teen.
Topic: abortion

A. The world will have less teenage births, less unsafe abortions and less children homeless and in poverty. B.If we do not solve this problem there will be more teen moms, poverty and unsafe abortions. “With their parents guidance, more teenagers will choose childbirth over abortion” (Philip) C.In countries where abortion is restricted like poland “go abroad to the Netherlands, Germany and Austria for abortions.2 Women who are not lucky enough to live in environments such as the EU may be forced to go to foreign countries and undergo underground, unsafe abortions.” (“this house”)
Topic: abortion

A. Minors should be allowed to obtain an abortion without parental consent because every person controls their own body and has the right to choose and restricting abortion can lead to drastic consequences. B. Education about sex, family planning, and a bill that allows minors to recieve abortion without parental consent. C. Individuals can talk to their parents about their views on abortion and inform them that they have the right to choose. Individuals can also call your local congressman or write a letter informing them of the dangers of restricting abortion. D. In our everyday lives we can remember how living in the U.S. is a blessing and our freedoms can not be taken away from us. We must remember that every women has a right to their body and giving birth is not the only way to end the suffering of an unwanted pregnancy.
Topic: abortion

The subject of teenage abortion, is an emotionally charged one. The two major groups are completely opposite in their beliefs. Rather then discuss the emotional views of those groups, I have chosen to research, write, and conclude based on factual material, concerning teenage abortion. A discussion of abortion as a definition is explained medically, and in a small part the emotional effects on the participant. I have chosen to report in a factual not an emotional manner. The direct definition of abortion is the termination of a pregnancy by loss or destruction of the fetus before birth.
Topic: abortion

Induced abortion is a procedure intended to terminate a suspected or known unwanted pregnancy. The fetus is forced out of the uterus causing it to die. There are only a few different ways that an induced abortion is performed. The most common technique is known as vacuum aspiration. During the procedure the embryo or the fetus and the placenta is drawn into a tube by vacuum pressure. Vacuum aspiration along with the other methods of abortion, are usually performed in the first trimester.
Topic: abortion

The top three reasons, teens and grown women alike, choose to have an abortion are: 1. A child would change the lives of all involved, drastically, in ways that many are not ready to handle. 2. A feeling of immaturity. 3. Financial problems, only to be made worse if a youngster was involved.(Planned) Along with not being able to afford the price of raising a heir, the medical bills that come from bringing a baby into the world are also quite substantial. Although abortion is rather costly procedure, it is far less then the long-term price of supporting a child. Most teenagers are just not old enough, mentally or physically, to take care of and maintain a genuine home for a growing child. For many teens, having an abortion is a way to get on with their lives.
Topic: abortion

A chance to forget the past and create a pathway to the future.The entire concept of abortion may cause an abundance of internal conflict but, for an adolescent this procedure may very well be the best alternative. For a countless number of pregnant teenagers, the notion of having an abortion is not brought on by themselves. Although the decision is a difficult one on its own parents and boyfriends, most likely, will not help to make the process any easier. The pressure from others put on pregnant adolescents could force them into making serious decisions of having abortions, with little or no thought what so ever. Abortions might also be chosen to hide the pregnancy from the people who care most. The procedure, in many cases, is completed before either parent of the girl is informed. Having an abortion is a common procedure in this day and age however, some risks are involved, though the majority can be avoided.
Topic: abortion

Abortion is expensive, if it is unaffordable, many girls may result to having it performed illegally. Through the 1980’s forty to sixty million abortions were performed but, thirty-three million were competed illegally. If this situation occurs, the operation could be carried out by a person with little or no medical training in an unsensitized room with unsterilized instruments “Many women who went to illegal abortionists became very sick or died.”Even when an abortion is performed legally and safely it still has its risks. Induced abortions can cause complications such as: miscarriage, low birth weight, and pre-term delivery with future pregnancies. Other risks occur when the abortion is put off for any reason.
Topic: abortion

The longer the wait, the more complicated the procedure becomes. “Of all the abortion-related policy issues facing decision makers in this country today, parental consent or notification before a minor may have an abortion is perhaps the most difficult As of 1991 forty-one states have enacted laws, to involve the parents of all pregnant young women, in the decision making process, when abortion is an option to explore. (“Teenagers”) Some states even require both parents to be notified. (“Teenagers) In these states the realities of the teenagers’ lives are ignored. (“Teenagers”) Enforced parental involvement may abstain pregnant teens from the proper medical care needed. (Planned) Delaying abortion to find the young woman’s parents, if their whereabouts are unknown, could cause many physical and emotional health risks for her. (Planned)
Topic: abortion

If the physician is required to locate the parents personally, then the cost and complications of the procedure will be increased. (Planned) Although most teens would benefit from adult guidance when faced with an unwanted pregnancy. (“Teenagers”) A hand full of these teens are unfortunate and can not go to them due to parental physical or psychiatric illness and/or drug and alcohol abuse. (Planned) Many are also frightened of what might be said and done to them. “There is evidence that teenagers who do not involve their parents believe, that involving their parents would not be in their best interests or are trying to protect their parents.” (Planned) A strong majority of the teens having abortions already involve parents even if not required to do so by law. (Planned)
Topic: abortion

Allowing teenage girls to have abortions is allowing them to go on with their lives. To pursue the many hopes and dreams of their childhood. It is allowing them to continue to be a child instead of raising one. As for the entire subject of teenage abortion, I am absolutely 100% pro-choice. I believe any women, young or old should have the right to choose, without legal strings attached. I would suggest a process of guidance be made available, should a women so choose. My thoughts are, an adult, maybe not a parent, but a person of legal age, should be available to give guidance because they care, not because they are bound to do so by law. In conclusion I do not believe Government should intrude in such personal matters.
Topic: abortion

They have to quit university to escape the pressures of society while university male students can still go to university regularly. Therefore, women are responsible for the problem unilaterally and live in society difficulty. Unwanted pregnancy among university students is caused by sexual intercourse which is they will be pregnant while they are not ready in all aspects. So, they should realize that unwanted pregnancy can cause many serious problems. Despite modern methods of family planning, and idespread information about how to use it, unplanned pregnancy is one of the most common medical problems faced by sexually active women under 45.
Topic: abortion

She concluded in a paper subsequently published in the British Medical Journal that almost a third of births could be the consequence of accidental pregnancies. If this were the case it would mean 310 000 accidental pregnancies in Britain every year. In fact, this is likely to be a conservative estimate. Because Anne Fleissig conducted her research into the circumstances in which women’s new babies were conceived, her sample did not include women who had conceived but ended the pregnancy by an abortion.
Topic: abortion

When these unplanned pregnancies are considered as well, it suggests the real extent of accidental pregnancy is even higher than, perhaps as high as 50 per cent of all conceptions. According to the Olaitan Olukunmi Lanre, 2011, Research Journal of Medical Sciences, 5: 336-339, the findings were that unprotected sexual intercourse and poor parental care are the causes of unwanted pregnancy while termination of educational programme and medical complications for both the mothers and children are the effects of unwanted pregnancy.
Topic: abortion

Abortion is the induced termination of a pregnancy after conception. There are different ways in which an abortion can occur. Spontaneous abortions are usually termed as miscarriage. Miscarriage that happens between 8 to 22 weeks is due to incorrect replication of chromosomes, and it can be caused by environmental factors. Stillbirth and premature-birth are not considered miscarriage and it happens after 22 weeks and before 37 weeks of gestation. Therapeutic abortion is another type. It is an abortion induced to preserve the health of the pregnant female or avoid any complication that might happened to fetus during the gustation or thereafter.
Topic: abortion

That brings-up a question, why then it did not dissuade the abortion practice in his -own time and that of the Roman Empire. Late Dr. Edelstein is the one who shed light into this confusion. According to him only one school of thinking, out of many in existence, known as Pythagorean school thought that embryo was animate from the moment of conception, and an abortion meant destruction of a living being. However, most Greek thinkers, on the other hand, did not think so, and commended abortion and practiced it. The conclusion of Dr. Edelstein is that the oath did not represent the whole section of the society, nor did it was accepted by all ancient physicians. Medical writing down to Galen (A.D130-200) give evidence of the violation of almost every one of its injunctions, and it is very convincing.
Topic: abortion

The common law practiced prior to 1803, did not consider abortion performed before quickening-the first recognizable movement of the fetus in utero, appearing usually from 10th to the 18 weeks of pregnancy, as an indictable offence. Keep in mind English Statutory Law had a slow progression. The first criminal abortion act came into being in 1803, which made it a capital crime, but lessor punishment was awarded, if it is done before quickening. It continued to be so in the general revision of 1828. The criminal abortion act disappeared together with the death penalty in 1837, and did not reappear in the offences against person act of 1861.
Topic: abortion

In 1929, the infant life preservation act came into being. It made an intentional act performed with the motivation, a felony. However, it contained a proviso that a person was to be found guilty of the offence only if it is evidentially found that the act that caused the death of child was not done in good faith for the purpose only of preserving the life of the mother. In 1967, the parliament enacted the Abortion Act of 1967. It allowed abortions, if two physicians agree: That the pregnancy is a risk to the life or of injury to the physical or mental health of the pregnant women or any children of her family, greater than if the pregnancy was terminated. 2. Or there was a substantial risk that the child will be born with physical or mental abnormalities.
Topic: abortion

Until the mid 19th century, English law was practiced in America. In 1821 Connecticut enacted the first abortion legislation in line with English law, but abortion before quickening was made a crime only in 1860. In 1829, New-york enacted a legislation, barring unquicken fetus as well as quicken fetus. It made the former a misdemeanor, and the later second-degree manslaughter. It also introduced a new concept of therapeutic abortion by which abortion will be excused if it is done to preserve the life of the mother. After the war between states legislation began to replace the common law. All these laws retained the quickening distinction, and maintained the punishment on that basis. Gradually in the middle of the 19th century, the quickening distinction disappeared from most of the state legislation and penalties were increased.
Topic: abortion

By the end of 1950, a large majority state banned abortion, unless done to save or preserve the life of the mother. However, the state started to liberalize abortion statute after the ALI model penal code s230.3, set forth as Appendix B to the opinion in Doe V Botton, post, p.205. various courts in the country found various abortion laws unconstitutional while at the same time some courts found them constitutional and legal. In 1973, the Supreme Court of America, in
Topic: abortion

Autonomy means the right to decide about something. Autonomy includes informed consent, confidentiality of information, truth telling and promise keeping. Reproductive autonomy means the right of the woman in taking part or participating in the process of decision making relating to the family planning matters, instead of the men, religious authorities or the state deciding it for them. Reproductive autonomy has also relevance in the context of social development and changes in the family structure for over 50 years.
Topic: abortion

Autonomy means the right to have a choice without any external influence or interference by another person or institution, but also the moral responsibility. The moral responsibility does not interfere with freedom of choice but rather it is the approach to freedom. Freedom without responsibility is egoism, but responsibility without freedom is force. The 14th Amendment to the Constitution Guarantee this autonomy by introducing the concept of due process of law. This is the foundation upon which the court embarked upon when the court said that the right of privacy/autonomy is broad enough to encompass a women’s decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy.
Topic: abortion

By beneficence, it means happiness to many. Abortion can be viewed from different ethical -standpoint. One of such view is utilitarianism. The morale behind the rule of utilitarianism is the highest amount of happiness for the largest amount of people. Based on the empirical evidence, utilitarianism support wide spread happiness of many. Analyzing abortion in this context, one can see the medical, social, and economic benefit, it brings to the great amount of people in the society. The following is some of the statistics: * Half of all the pregnancies in the U.S are unintentional and ½ of these are terminated by medically safe legal abortions.
Topic: abortion

* From 1973 to 2000, more that 39 million legal abortions occurred * By legalizing abortion, the largest decline in birth rate were seen among women over 35 years, teenagers, and unmarried women (Levine, et. el,1999) * Today 30% of abortions are done on women over 35 years. * If legal abortions were not available, more women would experience of unwanted child bearing, which will affect the entire family. Their emotional and psychological life will be affected. * Couples become willing to conceive without fear of genetic disorders. In such an even, they can avail the process of safe legal abortion. * Most women report a sense of relief after the abortion, although a few would report depression.
Topic: abortion

Justice is the establishment of the principles of fairness. When one think about justice, in terms of equality, it has to be speaking about equal economic rights, equal educational and employment opportunities, equal divorce and child custody laws, and a uniform standard of sexual behavior as also the suffrage. The reasons for this call for justice is the understanding that men and women were invested with the same capabilities and the same consciousness of responsibility for their existence. When one think about justice in terms of abortion, the following facts are pertinent.
Topic: abortion

* The woman enjoyed better right to terminate a pregnancy than she does in most state prior to 1970s, at least with early stage of pregnancy and why it need be restricted later. * American Medical Association was partially responsible for the anti abortion mood prevalent in the country in the late 19th century, especially in 1967, when the committee on human reproduction urged the adaptation of a stated policy of opposition to the induced – abortion when it is a threat to the mother or child, does not support reason or ethics. * In 1n 1970, APHA recommended 5 standards for abortion. 1. Rapid and simple abortion procedure. 2. Simplifying counseling service.
Topic: abortion

3. Avoiding psychiatric consultation. 4. A variety -of trained professionals. 5. Awareness about contraceptives and sterilization. Conflicting decision on abortion law by various courts in the country * Those trained in medicine, philosophy and theology are unable to arrive a consensus as to when life begins. * Constitution does not include the unborn as person. In areas other than criminal abortion, the law has been reluctant to endorse any theory that life begins before birth or to accord legal rights to the unborn. * The right of privacy is broad enough to encompass a women’s decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy.
Topic: abortion

However, the state has interest in the 3 areas: health of its subject, a valid medical standard, and legitimate interest in potential life. They are distinct. Each grows as the women approaches term and at a point during pregnancy, each becomes compelling. In the light of the present day medical knowledge the compelling point begins by the end of the 1st trimester. * The state’s important and legitimate interest in potential life, the compelling point is viability because the fetus has the capacity of a meaningful life outside of the mothers womb at this point. * The pregnancy prior to the compelling period can be terminated by the attending physician in consultation with his patient, and upon his or medical judgment, without regulation from the state.
Topic: abortion

Given the right to decide about the fate of pregnancy, every woman should be able to decide to terminate the pregnancy within a few weeks from the pregnancy. Woman need not have to prolong that period to 4th week, 9th week, 14th week, 19th week, 24th week, or29th week and so on to decide whether it is an unwanted pregnancy. Every man’s and woman’s right over his or her body does not mean, it is absolute; the exercise of this right should not damage the moral fiber of the community, instead it should bring-about great happiness to great number of its subject. Finally, abortion bring with it physical, emotional, and moral effects or complications which need to be addressed by her together with the help of her strong support system, which could be her friends, group support, work with the counselor, or her supportive family.
Topic: abortion

In the essay “America’s Unjust Drug War” by Michael Huemer, Huemer goes over the realities and opinions around the topic on whether the leisure use of drugs should be banned by law. Huemer believes that the American federal government needs to not prohibit the use of drugs. He raises the point on drugs and how they harm the users and the people in the user’s life; he shows that the prohibition on drugs in unjustified. Huemer believes that drug restriction is an injustice to Americans’ natural rights and questions why individuals can persucute those who do drugs.
Topic: abortion

5).” There is no way that the federal government can forbid all those acts for it is not any of their business. One may argue that substance abuse is more hazardous then those acts, they would be wrong in many cases due to the fact that all of those acts lead to death which is as damaging as you can get. The Workplace of National Drug Control Policy declares that drugs eliminate eighteen thousand Americans a year while tobacco eliminates four hundred and forty thousand Americans per year.
Topic: abortion

Another relevant statistic is obesity causes up to four hundred and twenty thousand deaths per year. Neither tobacco smokers nor obese people have been punished yet many drug users are imprisoned. Another point prohibitionists suggest against the use of drugs is that drugs harm one’s quality of life however many other things harm one’s quality of life such as dropping out of high school or working at the same job your entire life; all of these are choices people make and the only choice that is persecuted is doing drugs, the others are considered ridiculous to persecute. The money that drug users use on money is equivalent to those who gamble or spend it on frivolous things leaving both lives at smaller quality, yet the drug users are persecuted. Although the use of drugs has the same affects on other people’s life choices drug users are persecuted and people who make equally life-threatening choices are left to make those choices with no persecutions.
Topic: abortion

Another argument against the use of drugs is the harm it potentially has against the people around the users. People around drug users do have the potential to be harmed from them yet so do many other things; driving could potentially hurt people and many other things, yet anyone who has a license can drive a vehicle without being persecuted. Every choice in life has risks of hurting people yet the only one choice is persecuted; drugs. Although it seems absurd to punish people for being inconsiderate or making not so good choices the outcome of their choices on the public are similar to drug users.
Topic: abortion

If drugs are truly unjust then America has over four hundred and fifty thousand people in jail unjustly. They are not just being punished for no reason they are being punished for exercising their right as a human, making their own choices. Everyone has the right to choose to do drugs or not to do them. If there was a drug that took away the users freedom to make choices or to attack and hurt other people then the government could step in and help, however no drug exists that have that effects on people. The belief supporting that it is a human right to choose to do drugs comes from the idea that everyone owns their own body. So a person can make any choice as what they can do to their body, harmful or not. An example of this can be seen in the woman’s right to have or not have an abortion.
Topic: abortion

Some people believe it is the woman’s choice because it is her body but others believe she should not be allowed to because it hurts the fetus, which is potentially a live human. Most people support the belief that people have the right to choose what the do to their body however with this right you may not use their body to harm others. Prohibitionists argue that drug use is not ones right over their body because the drugs are making the choices and not the person freely, maybe it is not their fault they have abused drugs it could have been psychological compulsion or something similar. It is still unjust to persecute these people because they are not morally responsible for that choice. However if users do freely decide to use drugs then they are exercising their rights and the government has no right to interfere.
Topic: abortion

Overall Huemer looks at all the prohibitionists arguments that could be thought of and disproves their belief on the laws against drug use. Huemer believes it is a human right to choose to do drugs just as it is to eat whatever food you choose even if it makes you obese, or smoke as many cigarettes a day even though you will probably die, and the choice to have an abortion. With life you have many choices you can make and with that choice comes the chance of hurting yourself either physically or mentally as well as people that surround you. In conclusion Huemer fully disagrees with the prohibits on the use of drugs in America with his belief that the persecutions are fully unjust as well as inhumane with many people in jail because they chose to use drugs.
Topic: abortion

Gewndolyn Brooks and Anne Sexton both wrote poems about the controversial subject of abortion. Brooks wrote a poem titled “The Mother” which stressed the physiological and ethical consequence of her choice. While in Sextons poem “The Abortion” the focus is more on the emotions felt before and after the actual process of aborting the baby. Yet both poems posses similar use of words to get a point across. The main way the authors did this is through the use of tone.
Topic: abortion

In Brooks poem “The Mother” she selects words and expressions that give the poem an air of sadness. By saying things such as “You will never neglect or beat Them, or silence or buy with a sweet.” it shows her longing to do things that mothers are generally thought to be good at. At the same time this also shows she is aware that she has essentially taken life and its experiences away from not only her unborn child but herself as well because she never gets the chance to do the things she speaks of.
Topic: abortion

By creating such vivid images of things she and her child would have done it connects the reader on a more personal level because it gives them a chance to really imagine everything Brooks is saying. Having the connection and the images in their mind while knowing that the baby was aborted makes it all the more real, allowing the reader to feel similar emotions that the mother herself had felt such as sorrow and remorse. The remorseful feeling is really expressed towards the ending of the poem when there is a change in whom she is addressing. Brooks now begins to address the actual child that was aborted and ask for forgiveness while acknowledging she has done wrong by saying “the crime was other than mine”. She also tells the child that she loves them and that “ even in my deliberateness I was not deliberate.” showing that she is sorry for what she has done even though she knew what she was getting into when she did it. All of these things together give Brooks poem a remorseful tone that perfectly expresses how someone can so easily do something they know deep down is wrong.
Topic: abortion

In Sextons poem “The Abortion” the emotions she is feeling are expressed to the reader through the change setting. It begins while she still has the baby inside her and she uses words that make the world sound as though it is full of life such as puckering and puffing. She describes the landscape hilly mountainous and green, which is a color that symbolizes new life. Towards the end of the poem when returning from her abortion the setting is described in a more gloomy empty way. The sky had grown thin and the roads were flat. This shows the change in her emotions, just like the land she used to be full of life as well and afterwards she was empty and flat without a child in her womb. The first line of the poem “ Somebody who should have been born is gone.” is an expression of her feelings on abortion. The statement itself lets the reader know right off the bat that she thinks abortion is wrong, yet she goes along and does it anyway.
Topic: abortion

She does not even describe the actual process of aborting the baby as badly as one would imagine someone with that view on the subject would have. She makes an allusion to Rumplestilksen saying that the man who performed the abortion for her was nothing like him at all, basically meaning that she didn’t feel the experience was horrible and as though he was forcing her to give up her first born child like Rumplestilksen had done in a fairy tale. The repetition of the first line thought the entire poem expresses the regret she is feeling thought the entire experience of her abortion. She even calls herself a coward at the very end for doing such a thing. But none of that stopped her from getting the abortion done. The tone of regret Sexton set for this poem once again shows that it’s not at all hard to go ahead and do something they you are sure is wrong.
Topic: abortion

Both of these women were well aware that getting an abortion, in their opinion, was wrong. They each expressed their regret and remorse through the wording of their poems and both poems were quite simple and soothing, something a child would understand. The poems described different aspects of abortion but stress the idea that having an abortion comes with the emotions of sadness, sorrow, and guilt. The reader is easily able to connect to the pome and understand the emotions that are being felt through the imagery used and tone set by the authors. But even with all of that both women still chose to abort their baby. Doing something you know is wrong is something every reader can easily relate to and understand.
Topic: abortion

Amber is an 18 year old woman who has found she is feeling sick and unusual. She comes to find out that she is pregnant and consults her doctor. Being concerned of her student status and what her parents might think are her biggest fears. The fetus growing inside her is almost 11 weeks and has her own story from the inside. Mentioning all of the growth that has occurred and the development milestones she has reached, the fetus is concerned of her own well being.
Topic: abortion

During the ovarian cycle which she went through to produce an egg, hormones are released through each stage of interaction to regulate the cycle. Gonadotropins are released via the anterior pituitary gland and luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are secreted. These affect the release of estrogen which through constant feedback with the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, a follicle matures waiting to be fertilized. During this process bursts of different hormones during the ovarian cycle can cause abdominal pain known as mittelschmerz, German for “middle pain” (Marieb & Hoehn 2013).
Topic: abortion

2. Apparently Amber did not use a birth control method. If she had, what options did she have and how do the various methods work. Amber had many options of birth control. There is only one preventative measure with 100% fail proof ratings and this is abstinence. If two consenting individuals decide to engage in sexual activities, there are many options to prevent pregnancy. Barrier methods, such as female condoms and male condoms are probably the most cost effective for birth control (Women’s Health 2011). The rate of effectiveness relies on many conditions, whether the condom is still good because they do have an expiration date, if they have been damaged, if the correct lubricant is used or not. Oil based lubricants breakdown the materials causing damage to the condom (WebMD 2013).
Topic: abortion

There is also hormonal birth control offered in the form of pills, patches, injections, and vaginal rings. These are hormone releasing agents that prevent the egg from releasing in the ovaries. Implantation devices can be used as well, but are more of a permanent fixture for about 2-5 years. Depending on the device depends on how it prevents pregnancy. Some or hormonal, making the mucus lining thicker in the cervix to prevent sperm from entering. There is a copper device that releases copper into the uterus and kills sperm. Those are both intrauterine devices, but there is another that is implanted under the skin in the arm. It is hormone releasing and prevents sperm from reaching the egg and also thickens the mucus in the cervix preventing sperm to enter. There are other options, but they include sterilization and are more of an invasive surgery (Women’s Health 2011).
Topic: abortion

3. What are the normal stages of development in a fetus during the first weeks after conception? The first weeks after conception are very busy for the embryo. It travels down the fallopian tubes and is very rapidly dividing mitotically. It implants into the uterine wall for further development. The embry goes through gastrulation, which is the forming of three layers that turn into the greater makeup of the fetus through development. A heart, neural tube which turns into the spinal cord, and the yolk sac have formed to the embryo which later forms the digestive organs. It becomes a fetus just after week 7 (Marieb & Hoehn 2013).
Topic: abortion

4. What are the hormonal and physical changes going on in Amber during her pregnancy? What is keeping her from menstruating as normal? Physiological changes occurring in Amber’s body are happening in her gastrointestinal, urinary, respiratory and cardiovascular system. She is feeling sick because of the increased hCG, progesterone and estrogen levels. Her story is only until her 11th week of her pregnancy, but she may feel many symptoms throughout the rest of her pregnancy if it is not aborted. Those symptoms could be increased urination because the kidneys are disposing of fetal metabolic waste as well as her own. Blood volume also rises to help accommodate the fetus’ needs (Marieb & Hoehn 2013). An over production of the hormone progesterone is created which stops the follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Those are the hormones needed for an egg to be released and travel down into the uterus for a menstruation cycle. If that does not occur, there is not menstruation (Marieb & Hoehn 2013)
Topic: abortion

6. How can we account for Amber’s symptoms? It sounds like Amber is having symptoms of morning sickness, bloat, and head ache can be explained by the fetus growing within her which is causing a rise in progesterone and hCG and making her feel sick. Her headache could be caused by the rise in blood volume which she needs to provide enough nutrients to herself and the fetus. The bloat could be caused by the expansion of her uterus. It expands from the size of a fist to filling the entire pelvic cavity by 16 weeks (Marieb & Hoehn 2013).
Topic: abortion

7. Can we consider the embryo a parasite in Amber’s body, if yes why? What prevents Amber’s body from rejecting the new tissue developing in her body that is genetically different from her tissues? I think we can consider the embryo a parasite in Amber’s body. It is feeding off of her nutrient intake and her blood to survive. A parasite does just that, feeds off the nutrients of the host and benefits from it (Tortora, Funke & Case 2013). Now even though that the embryo benefits from the mother’s nutrients, I also believe that it is beneficial for the mother as well. People procreate to carry on their genetic code, and even though that during her pregnancy Amber does not have as many benefits, I believe the outcome is very beneficial of having a child.
Topic: abortion

8. How much control does the embryo/fetus have over its own development? The embryo has no control over how quickly it develops. There are only certain times in which vital parts of it are produced, and if anything affects this it would be a teratogen by which the mother had come into contact with. Gestation is during about a 9 month period, and it occurs in the mothers body so it can be protected and nourished during this critical time of development before the fetus is introduced to the world (Berger2010).
Topic: abortion

9. How is the sex of the embryo determined, and what happens during the developmental process when the sex organs finally become apparent? During the ninth week of development there are two different duct systems that change into female and male reproductive organs. The ducts are the mesonephrenic and paramesonephrenic duct. Depending on the activating hormone is what the sexual organs develop into. The mesonephric duct turns into the male sex organ, and the paramesonephrenic duct turns into the female sex organ (Sajjad 2010) . The gonads then differentiate into the ovaries or the testes (Marieb & Hoehn 2013).
Topic: abortion

10. What is the degree of fetal development that has occurred by the end of the first trimester? Almost all organs have completed development, though they aren’t fully working yet. In the first trimester the fetus went from a zygote, to an embryo and then turned into a fetus. Within the first trimester is also when the fetus does not yet have its sexual organs yet, but the sex is predetermined genetically by its chromosomes (Cort & Erickson 2001).
Topic: abortion

11. What are the regulations regarding abortion in your state and what are the medical, religious and political reasons behind the legislation? The state of Colorado is pro-choice in regards to abortion. It allows any woman over the age of 18 to get an abortion, and those who are minors need consent from one parent or have a judge waiver the consent. Medicaid will even cover the abortion if the pregnancy was due to rape, it causes the mother psychiatric or concern for her health, or if it is a life or death situation. I do not believe the state of Colorado has much of a religious reasoning for it, but more of a large non-religious affiliation with the high Democratic and Liberal rights activists in the larger metropolitan areas. I believe that is the political reasoning as well. The state of Colorado larger cities have carry a high percentage of population, and are Democratic. I believe that this is the main reason that Colorado is a pro-choice state (Pro-Choice Colorado 2013).
Topic: abortion

12. Is it appropriate for the physician to raise the issue of abortion? I don’t think it is appropriate for the physician to raise the issue of abortion because it is not their place to place a position of their own personal agenda on a patient. The doctor is there to treat the patient, and that point in time he is treating the mother as a patient and the fetus as well. I think it will be appropriate to wait and listen to the questions of the mother to ask what her options are through her pregnancy. If termination comes up from the patient, it just should simply be stated what the process is, when it can occur during pregnancy legally and that since Amber is a minor that her parents would need to be involved in the process. If her health was at risk or if it was a life or death matter, is when I think it is appropriate to bring up abortion.
Topic: abortion

13. Should the father have any say in the question of abortion? Yes he should have a say on whether a child is aborted. There are many situations where just because the mother and father are not in a relationship, but are both fully capable and responsible for the creation of the child. Just because the mother does not want the child does not mean that the father does not. In the state of Colorado, the mother has the rights to her abortion and does not give any question to what the father would want (Pro-Choice Colorado 2013). In conclusion, it is not known if Amber goes through with the abortion or not. There are many questions raised towards the health of the fetus and mother as well as the moral and ethical aspects.
Topic: abortion

Since the pregnancy does not show past the 11th week of gestation, it is not known if it is continued or not. Abortion seems to be the last resort answer, and almost a form of birth control to some, but the fetus itself is a patient and should have the rights to be cared for whether or not it is fully developed. In today’s society it seems to be offered after hormonal and other direct forms of birth control. Instead of the option of ending a life that was begun due to actions from two parents that should be held responsible, it should be a life that is cherished Although opinions may differ, a beating heart is an unforgettable organ that is supporting life.
Topic: abortion

Most moral issues in medicine and healthcare will instigate lively debate, but no subject seems to inflame tempers more than the question of abortion. The gulf between pro-life and pro-choice can be an uncompromising stance of deeply held beliefs and principles. On the one hand, there is the claim that the foetus is a human being with the same right to life as any other human being, and abortion is therefore nothing less than murder. On the other hand, it is argued that a woman has a right to choose what happens within her own body, and is therefore justified in deciding to have her foetus removed if she so wishes.
Topic: abortion

“By the tenth week, for example, it already has a face, arms and legs, fingers and toes; it has internal organs, and brain activity is detectable.”[1] But does this undermine a woman’s right to self determination—can it still be reasonable for her to choose abortion, given its level of development? We shall explore this question; not from the perspective of whether the foetus is human, but from the premise “that the woman’s rights over her body are more important than the life of the person or part person in her womb.
Topic: abortion

Judith Jarvis Thomson presents the following hypothesis:[3] a woman becomes pregnant and then learns that she has a cardiac condition that will cause her death if the pregnancy continues. Let us grant the foetus personhood, with a right to life. Obviously the mother too has a right to life, so how can we decide who’s right to life is greater? A way of answering this question could be to say that an abortion is an act of aggression with the sole intention to kill. Whereas to do nothing would not be an attempt by anyone to murder the mother, rather to just let her die.
Topic: abortion

The passivity of the latter could be seen as morally preferable than directly killing an innocent person. Thomson argues that “It cannot seriously be said that…she must sit passively by and wait for her death.”[4] There are two people involved, both are innocent, but one is endangering the life of the other. Thomson believes that in this scenario a woman is entitled to defend herself against the threat posed by the unborn baby, even if ultimately this will cause its death.
Topic: abortion

I feel Thomson is correct in her appraisal. If an impartial judgement was sought by an individual as to whose life has greater worth; the foetus or the woman, they might not feel able to choose—both lives could be seen to hold equal value. But there is nothing objective about the woman’s situation—her life is endangered. If a person threatens my life—even if they are not conscious of their actions—I have a right to kill them, if that is the only course of action I can take to repel the attack.
Topic: abortion

The scenario becomes less clear when we consider if a woman holds the same right to defend herself if the continuation of her pregnancy causes her serious health problems that are not terminal. Again, I would assess the situation in terms of an attack. Do I have a right to kill an assailant if he attempts to wound me? The answer, I think, is dependent upon degree—the injury that would be inflicted. It seems reasonable that the degree of retaliation should be proportional to the severity of the attack. Similarly, a woman has the right to terminate her pregnancy if its continuation instigates a degree of illness that is severe enough to warrant that decision.
Topic: abortion

A woman holds ownership of her own body; therefore she may abort her foetus if that is what she chooses “it is in a very real sense her own—to dispose of as she wishes.”[5] Professor Thomson analogises: it is not that the woman and foetus are like two tenants occupying a small house that has been mistakenly rented to both of them—the mother owns the house.[6] But not all claims of ownership hold an automatic right to dispose of their property. John Harris gives an example[7] suppose I own a life-saving drug, and have nothing planned for its use other than placing it on my shelf. If I meet a person who was dependent on that drug otherwise they will die, I would not be morally entitled to withhold the drug—it would be wrong of me to exercise that right.
Topic: abortion

What Harris is expressing is that a woman may have the right to do what she wishes to her own body, but it would be wrong of her to exercise that right. The question then is; does the value of ownership of your body take precedence over the value of the foetus? Property is sometimes commandeered during war, and this action is usually justified because national security is thought to take priority over an individual’s right to ownership.[8] Another compelling, and I think decisive, argument comes from Mary Anne Warren. She states that ownership does not give me a right to kill an innocent person on my property, furthermore, it is also immoral to banish a person from my property; if by doing so they will undoubtedly perish.[9]
Topic: abortion

having either a right to be given the use of or a right to be allowed continued use of another person’s body—even if one needs it for life.”[10] Thomson goes on to give an example[11], that if she was terminally ill, and the only thing that would save her life was the touch of Henry Fonda’s cool hand on her fevered brow, she would have no right to expect him to travel to her side and assist her in this way. No doubt, Thomson adds; that it would be frightfully nice of him, but she holds no right against him that he should do so.