The controversial debates surrounding abortion – the termination of a pregnancy by the release of an embryo before it is can develop to survive outside the womb – are much more complex than the definition implies; the problems run deeper and opinions vary both in the United States and around the world. Recently, the growing wave of abortion restrictions in the United States has ignited a storm of intense controversy, both politically and socially. In the middle of all this is moral and medical ethics: the right to life versus the right to choice. The arguments arise from the divergent bureaucratic positions of the two parties, who neither agree nor are willing to concede. For this reason, the gap continues to widen and there is no end to this age-old disagreement. Even so, everyone is entitled to their own ideas and thoughts; this freedom of expression and this freedom of choice to express one's beliefs can never be false; the fault lies with irrational reasoning, not opinion. This essay will seek to discuss positions on abortion, both for and against, to offer insight into the perspectives on this topic and the reason behind each one. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay In the United States, the history of abortion has always been inconclusive, revolving around ban and mandate, without ever establishing common ground. It was not until 1973, when Roe v. Wade overturned laws banning abortion, making this law a turning point. Before that, Connecticut passed the first law banning abortion in 1821, followed by twenty states that followed in the same footsteps by limiting access to the procedures a few decades later, in 1860. Following the aforementioned landmark ruling , Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey also supported women's right to abortion in 1992. Despite the 2003 federal ban, the NAF (National Abortion Federation) won against the restriction the following year, defending the right to abortion. 2019 would once again shake up the cycle, with many states passing laws prohibiting any action to terminate a pregnancy. Called “heartbeat” bills, once a fetal heartbeat – as the name suggests – is detected, its intentional removal is considered illegal. Morality and justice are called into question, both inside and outside the public order. Democrats, pro-choice and supporters of Roe v. Wade, argue that the ban violates a woman's "right to make decisions about her own pregnancy" and is "discriminatory and constitutes a barrier to access to health care"; This is even more true in cases of rape and incest, where victims cannot “be safe from inhuman and degrading treatment”. It also raises gender inequality in politics – as it is male dominated – where men set the laws on what women should do with their bodies. Republicans, on the other hand, are pro-life, believing that allowing abortion would violate the obvious part of the Constitution's human life amendment: "the sanctity of life which cannot be violated." Instead, adoption and abstinence are encouraged in place of abortion. It's easy to say – in words only – but when contrasted with social status, the same cannot be said for the tendency towards acceptance; many view politics and the public sphere as distinct domains that the opposite should not transgress. From a religious point of view, it is obvious that theDivine feelings possess a negative attitude towards the act, because it is a matter that concerns both the body and the soul – and not one. – but two entities. Most, if not all, major religions, Christianity, Buddhism, Jewish, and Hinduism, abhor this act and offer virtually no exceptions of any kind. Without a doubt, Christianity advocates life, on the grounds that from the moment of conception, the embryo already has a "spirit", living in the mother's womb. Fetuses are inherently innocent, “bearing the image and likeness of God”; they are the fruit of God's love and creation. It is a sin to cease living, and although God readily forgives all sins, nothing can be done about the evil that surrounds everyday life, denoting immoral acts. Buddhism also “morally condemns abortion” because it is considered homicide – a violation of the first Buddhist moral precept of non-violence. Doctrines such as karma, rebirth, existence and the value of life guide thoughts surrounding the issue. Human life is seen as a sacred opportunity – from one life to another – as in the case of reincarnation, there is a “vital continuity between lives”. Like Christianity, Buddhism also reflects on the life that begins at fertilization. Jewish teachings state that “good and evil…are challenged by human intuition or opportunism” and that above all, the life of the mother comes first. The only exception, and what sets this religion apart from others, is if the mother's mental health is in danger. Rape and incest do not benefit from the same understanding. That being said, the fetus, until birth, is not alive, but "destroying a child" is corruption and "modern rabbis are unanimous that abortion, feticide and infanticide are unacceptable attacks on human life. As for Hinduism, although there is no explicit, single, or dogmatic view on abortion or other bioethics, many Indian women disapprove of it – going so far as to call it a crime – according to the statistics. The womb is called the sacred and “sacrificial” fire, and to abort a fetus – which must be taken care of – is to “put out the fire”. In doing so, the only punishment is spiritual. However, the rest of the world, holistically, weighs its opinions based on circumstances and consequences greater than mere opinion, recognizing and acknowledging both mother and fetus; it is usually the mother or the fetus, and never both, one or the other. Rape and incest are exceptions, and in particular pregnancies where the health and/or life of the mother are in danger. For regular abortions, as long as there is permission from the parent or partner, it is allowed. Not all countries are the same, but overall the situation has value and is taken into consideration. Regions with large populations – such as Africa and China – differ in that the former mostly consent to preserving health, while the latter opt for sex-selective breeding as the only exception. Surprisingly, this act is permitted in countries dominated by religions – if we compare the global laws on abortion with the map of world religions – which are strongly opposed to it; the emphasis here is that while faith serves as a guide, it does not dictate or influence what people think laws and public life should reflect. Another view on the situation focuses on medical ethics and the doctors who make these decisions a reality. They remain biased, bound by the Hippocratic Oath, which states that doctors follow the principles“treating the sick to the best of their ability, preserving patient privacy, teaching the secrets of medicine to the next generation,” and much more. In this case, patients – their lives – come first. Before discussing specific cases, abortion methods will be described and examined. Divided into three categories, certain interventions fall under surgical, medical or chemical means. Depending on the gestation period, surgical abortions range from the use of medication to more or less significant dilations. The further into each trimester, the more complex the procedure becomes, even though “most abortions are performed in an outpatient office…under local anesthesia with or without sedation.” Those who do not have access to – or simply cannot afford – health care and safe abortions resort to other means, such as drinking toxic liquids and attempting to perform their own expulsion using twigs, hangers and anything that can reach far into the uterus. This does not guarantee either the mother or the life of the fetus. About 36 out of 1,000 women abort each year between the ages of 15 and 44 “in developing regions, compared to 27 in developed regions.” Banning abortion will only limit access to legal and safe abortion; it will not prevent the other side – illegal and voluntary approaches, because “abortions occur as frequently in the two most restrictive countries… as in the least restrictive”. Both patients and doctors struggle, one with the decision, and the other having to witness the decision. NPR published a story following the Weinstein family, well into their second pregnancy and third trimester, "when Dana Weinstein and her husband received horrible news: A critical part of the brain had not developed properly." As a mother, it was her decision to make and it certainly wasn't an easy one; Either way, the baby would have no chance of surviving. Dana says that "if she could have lived, she would have given anything to help their baby live." But she wouldn't be able to do it." In times of turmoil like this, doctors can offer a sense of comfort and empathize with their patients, as StoryCorps presents. Like the Weinsteins, in this case, the Young family discovered that their baby had “developed a brain disease that would make it impossible for him to survive alone.” Dr. Tiller, the one the Youngs sought for help and "one of the few doctors in the United States who performed late-term abortions," was murdered. Responsible for helping the couple through their darkest times, both as father, grandfather and man of faith, Natalie Young said "being able to connect in that way... was really comforting." They regret that those who follow in their footsteps will never know the compassion and non-judgmental nature of Dr. Tiller. No one who wants and chooses to have a baby would want to kill it; no mother would do it. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Roe v. Essay Wade has since brought about a sense of freedom – of liberation – for many women in the United States. ; everywhere in the world, the privilege of choice allows you to control your own life and your own body. While this may be the case, controversies surrounding the legalization of abortion have intensified over the years. Social, ethical and moral values ​​are questioned and the debate between good and evil seems endless. With a topic like this so important and attracting widespread public attention, disagreements are inevitable where clashes/.