Abortion Flashcards
What is abortion?
The intentional destruction of a foetus or the inducing of a premature explosion from the womb to cause death.
Define sanctity of life.
The concept that life is a gift and therefore special. No one has the right to take another’s life.
Define quality of life.
How good or bad the life of a person is.
Under what conditions is abortion permitted in England, Scotland and Wales?
- There is a risk to the mother’s life
- There can be a risk to the mother’s health (mental or physical)
- Risk to existing children
- Strong evidence the child will have disabilities
Whose confirmation does a mother need in order to have an abortion?
The confirmation from 2 doctors that her need fits the legal requirements; she does not need the consent of her own doctor, her partner or her family.
List 6 arguments for Pro-Choice.
- Every woman has the right to choose.
- Abortion is less traumatic than putting the child up for adoption.
- Abortion is more humane if the child is going to have a poor quality of life or be in constant pain.
- A foetus is just a collection of cells; life begins at birth.
- It is better to have safe abortions in hospitals rather than backstreet abortions where mothers could die.
- The foetus feels nothing when aborted.
List 6 arguments for Pro-Life.
- Life begins at conception; the unborn child is a separate human being from their mother and never simply part of their mother’s body.
- Abortion is murder.
- Even babies with disabilities and differences could lead happy and fulfilled lives.
- The UN Declaration of the Rights of a Child states that children need to be protected before, as well as after, birth.
- Unborn babies are unique, potential human beings.
- Abortions can go wrong and leave mothers with terrible mental and physical scars.
What is the age of viability?
24 weeks
Describe the method of abortion used:
a) up to 9 weeks
b) between 7 - 15 weeks
c) from 15 weeks
d) at birth
a) Taking a pill which results in a situation similar to a miscarriage.
b) Either under local or general anaesthetic (uses suction).
c) Surgery is required (dilation and evacuation).
d) The unborn baby is effectively killed in the womb by cutting the cord and then the baby is delivered by c-section.
Give 3 Bible teachings on abortion.
- Exodus states as one of the Ten Commandments, “Do not kill.” If life begins at conception, abortion is murder and is wrong.
- Jeremiah states, “I chose you before I gave you life.” This shows that God has a plan for everyone and no one should be denied a chance at life.
- Job states, “Every man’s life is in his power.” God should have control over life and death; not man.
Describe the Catholic Church teaching on abortion.
They are very strongly against abortion, claiming, “Abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.” They only accept abortion in rare cases such as a medical condition of the mother which could lead to the death of the child. Any member who has an abortion can be excommunicated from the Catholic Church.
Describe the Methodist Church teaching on abortion.
They agree that that the unborn child has a right to life, however realise that there may be certain circumstances where the lives of those already born must take priority - “…where there is grave risk to the mother’s physical or mental health; where the pregnancy was the result of rape; where there is gross abnormality of the foetus.”
Only when is a medical abortion legal in Northern Ireland?
If the mother’s life is in danger (time limit 9 weeks and 4 days).
At what age does the baby start being referred to as a foetus by doctors?
9 weeks
Suggest 4 alternatives to abortion and discuss the good and bad points of each.
- Adoption - this means the child gets to live permanently with a fully prepared family, however the trauma may be worse for the mother who may become attached.
- Someone else in the family cares for the child - the child gets a good life raised by relatives and the mother can still experience their growth without having sole responsibility, however the child may be resentful towards their mother.
- Foster care - the child is able to live with a prepared family while the mother can still have contact, however the child may never get a permanent family and moving between temporary homes won’t result in a happy life.
- Mother keeps the baby - the child gets to be raised by their mother, but the mother may not be emotionally or financially prepared meaning the child may not have a high quality of life.
