User:Jlafon

Introduction
An individuals personal stance on the complex ethical, moral, and legal issues has a strong relationship with the given individual's value system. A value system refers to how an indivudual or group of individuals organize their ethical or idealogical values.

First Trimester Abortions
More than 90% of all abortions are performed in the first trimester (up through twelve weeks). This procedure is called suction aspiration, or vaccuum aspiration. This procedure requires that the cervix be enlarged, so that a cannula can be inserted into the uterus. During vaccuum aspiration, the cannula is attached to an electronically powered pump that removes the contents of the uterus. In some cases, the lining of the uterus must also be scraped with a spoonlike tool, called a curettel, to loosen and remove the tissue. It is seven to ten times safer than childbirth, and is the safest time to have an abortion. It takes less than five minutes to complete. First trimester abortion carries a low risk for complication, with a healing time of a day or two.

Second Trimester Abortions
Abortion in the second trimester (from thirteen to twenty-four weeks), is performed using a procedure called Dilation and Evacuation. This method requires a two to three day process which includes preparations to slowly dilate the cervix before the actual abortion occurs. This form of abortion takes longer time to heal than the first trimester abortions, as well as additional medications.

Senate Bill 33
In June 2006, Louisiana’s President of the Senate and Speaker of the House signed Senate Bill 33, which approved a ban on abortion with an amendment to permit it only in order to save the woman’s life to avoid “permanent impairment.” There are no exceptions for cases of incest or rape. This ban is a trigger law, which is a law that goes through all the motions, is passed and signed, but only goes into effect as a consequence of something else. It will only go into effect if Roe vs. Wade is overturned. However, with just a little more effort, those who oppose abortion won't need to overturn Roe, because it will be portrayed.

Additional Facts
In the state of Indiana, women will no longer be able to obtain an abortion without first receiving counseling eighteen hours before the procedure. There are now thirty-three states that enforce parental consent or notification laws for minors, twelve states that have some law on partial birth abortion, and twenty-nine states have mandatory delays and/or require a physician give biased information to the woman seeking an abortion. In the United States, a pregnant woman's risk of death from a first-term abortion, is less than one in one hundred thousand. The risk increases by about 30% with each week of pregnancy after twelve weeks. With an increasing number of laws that restrict how, when, where, and why a woman can elect to have an abortion, what is advertised as a matter of choice is quickly becoming an option for a select few, as opposed to the common majority.

Abortions in Other Countries
Worldwide, about one-fourth of the approximatley 180 million pregnancies that are known to occur each year are resolved in abortion. In developed regions, there are a total of 9.1 million legal abortions, and 900,000 illegal abortions. In developing regions, there are a total of 16.5 million legal abortions, and 19 million illegal abortions. Asia, which is the most populated region in the world, has the largest total number of abortions: 17 million legal, and 10 million illegal. The overall abortion rate there is 33 per 1,000 women between the ages of fifteen and forty-four.

Illegal Abortions
In the past, bombing of abortion clinics have occured, as well as picketting in front of various locations, and harrasing through the telephone of these clinics. These actions are what cause women to turn to civil acts of disobedience and seek illegal abortions. With this in mind, approximately 44% of abortions are performed illegally. Abortions have been regularly banned and otherwise limited. However, abortions have continued to be commonplace in many areas where it is illegal.

Does the Fetus Feel Pain?
A question that arises with abortion is, does the fetus feel pain? The answer is maybe. At an advanced stage during pregnancy, a fetus may become capable of feeling pain. Many physicians and researchers of fetal development believe that synaptic connections within the fetus' brain are necessary to perceive pain. These are not formed until the third trimester. Fewer than 1% of all abortions are done during the third trimester. Also, some mental and medical professionals say that a fetus cannot feel pain no matter how far it has developed. Stuart Derbyshire, a psychologist at the University of Birmingham, UK, argues his point of view. "The complex medical process necessary for the experience of pain cannot begin until the jolt of life outside the womb kick starts them. Thus, a fetus (no matter how advanced in development) cannot feel pain." Many women consider this factor when they are deciding whether or not to have an abortion. They are reluctant to submit to an operation that would be painful to the fetus.

Conclusion
For years, abortion has been an extremly controversial subject. One important aspect of this controversy is whether a woman should be permitted by law to have an abortion or not. This brings up the question, "Under what circumstances?" Another important aspect of abortion is whether (and to what extent) laws should protect the unborn child's right to life. The question of abortion is much more ambiguous than the louder voices on either side of the pro-life and pro-choice are willing to admit. Those who are pro-life may be disappointed by the legal realites in short term. At the same time, those who are pro-choice may be disappointed by the truth that the millions of women who have abortions every year are deeply troubled or guilt-ridden. Abortion is an issue that will continue to cause a massive debate and go on for many nore years.