Since time immemorial, abortion has always been a "hot" topic! It was deemed illegal in the USA, yet it did not stop pregnant women from seeking new ways to get rid of the yet-to-be born child. The medical fraternity as well as the government objected to termination of pregnancy on the grounds that the methods used were not legal.



Getting no support from them, these women then sought the favors of 'back-alley abortionists'. Such persons possessed no medical licenses to carry out such procedures. Yet they did so, in highly unsafe environments and under dangerous conditions, resulting in the deaths of many women. The Supreme Court then decided to make abortions legal; this was during the Roe vs Wade case.

However, the debate still continues! The Pro-Choice community advocates that it should be left to the choice of the woman with child, whether she wishes life or death for her unborn child. Pro-Choice activism has many levels, with each level thinking differently but with a common underlying thought of supporting abortion. Some among them would never go for the procedure themselves, but strongly believe in a woman's right to take her own decision regarding the same.

According to Pro-Choice, removal of the fetus should be allowed at any time during the pregnancy, that is, the mother-to-be can demand for it whenever she wants to. For instance, pregnancies resulting from incest or rape should be terminated; so also for the reason that the mother is at risk if she delivers.

Unlike Pro-Choice, the Pro-Life community rejects the concept of removal of an unborn child. Some people from the Pro-Choice community may actually believe themselves to be Pro-Life as they favor abortion only in unfavorable conditions such as rape, incest, or when the mother's health is in danger. They also believe that the procedure should not be allowed on demand, but is to be allowed only if the mother's physical or mental health is deteriorating.

The members of this community feel that life actually begins at the time of conception itself. So terminating a pregnancy is like taking a life. They argue that even an unborn child has his/her rights.

In addition, Pro-Life people see a link between religion and abortion. The way a Christian sees it is - God is aware of a person's soul before he/she is born (This is what the Bible says). Consequently, if God is familiar with a soul, then that soul can be classified as a human being. Human beings are not permitted to destroy one another. Thus, 'abortion' is something that amounts to 'murder'.

And so the debate on abortion goes on and on!!