Should abortion be made easier?

Background:
Abortion is a very contentious issue and involves the dilemma i.e. faced by modern societies. The question is if the termination of the child in womb of the mother should be allowed? The question is more fundamental for some when they ask at what stage the foetus can be regarded as a child. The people giving religious and strict pro life arguments are countered by the argument of the right of the mother to choose. There is no universal agreement and there are significant restrictions on abortion in many countries.

Arguments in favor of:
1. It has always been argued that woman should have control over their body as they have to carry the child throughout the pregnancy and give birth to the child. As it becomes their responsibility of woman alone, she alone should have the right to decide. Child birth is an important matter in life of every woman and in case she is not willing to carry the child for 9 months and then give birth, she should have a right to refuse to do so. There are very few examples present where a human being has to bear such profound consequences against her will.

2. Ban against abortion not only offends the right of a woman to choose but there is a practical problem involved in it to. For enforcing such a ban the treatment meted out to woman to wish to their foetus aborted would be quiet inhumane and degrading. The woman would have an option to travel to a country where abortion is legal and have their foetus terminated and to stop it the state would have to impose restriction on travel of pregnant woman. Thus such a ban is practical unworkable the demand for abortion will always be their and making it illegal would simply force it underground. In such conditions the safety and health of woman could be at risk.

3. Another important issue is the determination of the point where life begins. Can we equate the termination of a foetus which is not conscious of its existence with the killing a person. There is always a period prescribed with in which the termination of a foetus can take place before it acquires these human characteristics.

4. There are many cases in which the termination of pregnancy is required as it could endanger the life of the mother or the child. In these cases of medical emergency the permission of abort the foetus should certainly be granted in interest of saving a life.

5. Woman and in some cases even girls who have been victim of rape should not be forced to suffer the torment of carrying the product of their ordeal. Such a child would become a constant reminder of that ghastly act.

6. Due to the advancement of medical technology it is now possible to determine even during pregnancy if a child would suffer from any severe disability. In such a case the child would have a very short but tragic and painful life. Therefore the parents should be allowed in such cases to choose termination of foetus to avoid spring of the parents and also of the child.

Arguments against
1. Although human rights to be respected but they do not confer a right upon any person to may a decision without reference to the wishes and rights of other persons. In the present case the father also has a say regarding the fate of their foetus. Most importantly the child to have a right to life the mother right to choice can not be above the right to life. Women have reasonable right over their body but it certainly does not confer a right to decide if another human being lives or dies.

2. Unborn children can not express their right to life and this right should be protected. There are difficulties in implementation of several laws but these difficulties do not diminish the force of the principles that are behind such laws. People will continue to kill others regardless of the presence of strict laws against it therefore a does not mean that law against killing others should not be made and implemented.

3. Life is sacred absolute and inviolable. The foetus will inevitably develop the characteristics of human being. Time restrictions on termination need to be changed especially in case when it has been discovered that feelings develop in a foetus much earlier then was thought in the past.

4. Medical emergency are unfortunate but they do not make it obvious that the termination has to be performed. The dilemma of mother vs child defies solution and terminating the pregnancy to safe the life of another person could set a dangerous precedent.

5. Though a revolting crime like rape has been committed, it is not the fault of an unborn child. Denying life to some one due to the circumstances at the time of conception is not fair.

6. No body has the right to deprived another person of his life on the ground that such life would not be worth living. The presumption can not be justified especially when we see that many persons suffering from disabilities are also leading fulfilled lives.

Conclusion
The woman should have the right to choose as they have to bear the child and give birth.