[From www.scottishsocialistyouth.com
Should the law ever be overturned, the issue of abortion would return to the States. While California and Colorado were the first states to legalize it under extreme circumstances (rape, mental instability, etc.) in 1967, they lack enforcement in the Parental Consent field, which requires a female minor to provide permission from her parents before undergoing the procedure. (In 2008, Prop 4 appeared on California’s ballot, which would “prohibit abortion for unemancipated minors until 48 hours after physician notifies minor’s parent, legal guardian or, if parental abuse has been reported, an alternative adult family member.” [Ballotpedia] The measure lost 52-48%.)
There are many aspects tied to this controversy, and not only the religious versus secular views. While most churches and religious institutions argue that any human life form (even in early development) is a life, and thus abortion is considered murder, there is a scientific perspective that argues whether a fetus can be considered a human life in the first trimester of pregnancy.
This debate will likely never end – because no matter the amount of scientific reasoning or religious views that are offered, people will hold different viewpoints and beliefs in the practice.
What is fact, however, is the physical repercussions that can accompany abortion. For example, there is a reported link between abortion and breast cancer, as well as the risk of uterine damage, complications with future pregnancies, infection, and even death. With these very serious risks looming over an impending abortion, perhaps it is wise from a political standpoint to not outlaw the procedure altogether. After all, making it illegal would not stop it entirely. It would merely force physicians (or untrained novices with no surgical skills) to perform the procedure in secret, making the risk for medical complications even more severe. I picture hideouts and dark alleyways, with dirty knives and “under the table” payment, and women screaming from the unprofessional procedure. No anesthesia, no insurance coverage or protection from harm, and those who could perform it would have a monopoly.
The social repercussions could be disastrous. Therefore, all moral and religious perspectives aside, I hope that abortion is never outlawed in America (or California, for that matter). It just might become a bigger problem than it seems to be now.
(no graphic images)
