Abortion: One Of The Most Controversial Topics Today Essay example --

Abortion: One of the Most Controversial Topics Today In the early American Colonies, English Common Law was adopted by the United States, which declared abortion forbidden. The procedure was ruled a misdemeanor if performed before quickening, which meant â€Å"feeling life,† and a felony if performed after quickening. In the early 1800s, it was discovered that life begins at conception and not when the mother â€Å"feels life.† Eighty-five percent of the states had laws that made all abortions a felony. Between the 1800s and today, many arguments have taken place regarding when life begins for a fetus and to what extent the mother has a right to terminate her pregnancy (Fast Facts: History of the U.S. Abortion Laws, 2003). There have been numerous attempts to change the current laws and/or add to them and the majority of these attempts have failed. The most famous law of them all resulted from the case of Roe v. Wade , is still in effect today and forms the basis for abortion laws and arguments. Important Court Cases   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the most important dates in abortion history is January 22, 1973. On this date, the Supreme Court struck down all state abortion laws and legalized abortion in all 50 states for the full nine months of pregnancy. A mother’s right to abortion is known as the outcome of Roe v. Wade and falls under a woman’s right to privacy. More specifically, the court ruled that the government could restrict abortion access after the first trimester with laws intended to protect the woman’s health. Also, late-term abortions need the approval of a licensed physician to judge the procedure necessary to protect the mother’s health (Roe v. Wade: The 1973 Supreme Court Decision on State Abortion Laws, 1973) .   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  According to an article written by Michael W. McConnell, â€Å"the reasoning of Roe v. Wade is an embarrassment to those who take constitutional law seriously, even to many scholars who heartily support the outcome of the case (p. 136).† The first reasoning behind the decision is based on the â€Å"right of privacy† and that it is broad enough to encompass a woman’s decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy. But the right of privacy is nowhere mentioned in the Constitution, as many would agree. Connell says that judges have found at least the roots of that right in the First Amendment, Ninth Amendment, ... ... No one ever thinks that rape will happen to them, but if it did, your decision now and your decision at that time may be different. Ultimately, should a woman have the right to choose between terminating her pregnancy and a potential life, or continuing with the pregnancy? Bibliography Fast Facts: History of U.S. Abortion Laws. (2003, January 21). FoxNews Channel Online. Retrieved February 12, 2005, from http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,881,00.html McConnell, Michael M. (1998). Roe v. Wade at Twenty-Five: Still Legitimate. In R. M. Baird (Ed.), The Ethics of Abortion: Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice (pp. 135-138). Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books. Roe v. Wade: The 1973 Supreme Court Decision on State Abortion Laws. (1973). In R. M. Baird (Ed.), The Ethics of Abortion: Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice (pp. 63-72). Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books. Thomson, Judith Jarvis. (1971). A Defense of Abortion. In R. M. Baird (Ed.), The Ethicds of Abortion: Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice (pp. 241-256). Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books. Webster v. Reproductive Health Services. (1989). In R. M. Baird (Ed.), The Ethics of Abortion: Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice (pp. 73-92)., Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.