|
*'''''The Peacemaker''''' is the name of a film; see ''[[The Peacemaker (film)|The Peacemaker]]''.
{{NPOV}}'''Abortion''' generally refers to the use of [[surgical]] procedures or drugs to end a [[pregnancy]], associated with the [[death]] of the human [[embryo]] or [[fetus]].
*'''Peacemaker''' is the name of a comic book character; see [[Peacemaker (comics)]].
*'''''The Peacemaker''''' is the name of an anti-duelling pamphlet by [[Thomas Middleton]].
Medically, the term also refers to the early expulsion of a embryo or fetus by natural causes ("spontaneous abortion" or [[miscarriage]], which ends approximately ten percent of all pregnancies, usually within the first thirteen weeks), or to the cessation of normal growth of a body part or organ. What follows is a discussion of the issues related to deliberately induced abortion.
*'''Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers''' is a rock band [[Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers]].
*'''The Peacemaker''' is a name for the [[Colt Single Action Army handgun]], a pistol first manufactured in 1873.
== Methods of abortion ==
*'''The Great Peacemaker''', a prophet who helped found the [[Haudenosaunee|Haudenosaunee nation]]
Depending on the gestational age of the developing embryo or fetus, abortion can describe a number of different ways to destroy and remove a living [[fetus]] or [[embryo]] from the womb. [[Chemical abortion]] (or ''Medical Abortion'' as opposed to ''Surgical Abortion'') is a method that is used when it is induced during the first nine weeks. The procedure consists of administering either [[methotrexate]] or [[mifepristone]] ([[RU-486]]) followed by administration of [[misoprostol]]. Approximately eight percent of these abortions require surgical followup, usually by vacuum aspiration (See below). Methotrexate may also treat undiagnosed or concomittant tubal pregnancies, which occur in about two percent of all patients who desire to terminate their [[fetus]] or [[embryo]]. About ten percent of abortions in the United States and Europe are induced medically.
{{disambig}}
In the first fifteen weeks, [[suction-aspiration abortion|suction-aspiration]] or vacuum abortion are the most common methods, replacing the more risky [[dilation and curettage]] (D & C). ''[[Manual vacuum aspiration]]'', or MVA abortion, consists of removing the [[embryo]] by suction using a manual [[syringe]], while the''[[Electric vacuum aspiration]]'' or EVA abortion method uses suction produced by an electric pump to remove the embryo. From the fifteenth week up until around the eighteenth week, a surgical [[dilation and evacuation]] (D & E) is used. D & E consists of opening the [[cervix]] of the [[uterus]] and emptying it using surgical instruments and suction.
''[[Dilation and suction curettage]]'' consists of emptying the [[uterus]] by suction using a different apparatus. ''[[Curettage]]'' refers to the cleaning of the walls of the [[uterus]] with a [[curette]]. ''[[Dilation and curettage]]'' (D & C) is a standard gynaecological procedure performed for a variety of reasons, such as examination.
As the [[fetus]] grows, other techniques must be used to induce abortion in the third [[trimester]]. Premature delivery of the human fetus can be induced with [[prostaglandin]]; this can be coupled with injecting the [[amniotic sac|amniotic fluid]] with caustic solutions containing [[saline (medicine)|saline]] or [[urea]]. Very late abortions can be brought about by the [[intact dilation and extraction]] (D & X) or a [[hysterotomy abortion]], similar to a [[caesarian section]], and requiring the surgical decompression of the fetus's head before evacuation. This procedure is controversially termed "[[partial-birth abortion]]".
Ingestion of drugs, such as [[RU-486]] and the [[morning-after pill]], is dealt with in detail in other entries.
==Health risks==
===Complications===
* Even in regulated legal clinics, there is a small risk of serious complications, including [[death]], from the most common surgical abortion procedures. These risks include perforated [[uterus]], [[septic shock]] and [[sterility]].
* The exact risk and type of complications depend on the abortion method as well as the clinical and hygienic conditions. Studies have found that in developed countries where abortion is legal, the risk of serious physical complications of an abortion is less than one percent. In countries where abortion is illegal, this percentage is much higher, although the exact figure is unknown. This is likely due to the inherently dangerous nature of unregulated illegal surgery by doctors of dubious skill. Use of "traditional medicine" methods (overdoses of various drugs, inserting various objects into uterus) for abortions is also dangerous. Serious complications from abortions done outside of professional clinics may include infections, bleeding, and in many cases lead to death.
===Physical health===
*[[Premature birth|Premature Birth]]: A study appearing in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology by Dr. Caroline Moreau of the Hôpital de Bicêtre in Paris recently revealed a substantially greater chance of premature birth for the next baby after an aborted pregnancy. Overall, '''women who had had an abortion were 40 percent more likely to have a very pre-term delivery''' (less than 33 weeks) than those without such a history. The risk of an extremely premature baby - one born at less than 28 weeks - was raised even more sharply, by 70 percent. Abortion appeared to increase the risk of most major causes of premature birth, including premature rupture of membranes, incorrect position of the fetus on the placenta, and spontaneous early labor. The only common cause of premature birth not linked to abortion was high blood pressure. Earlier studies had shown an increased risk of preterm birth associated with abortion, but had failed to establish a conclusive link. [http://news.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/05/15/nabort15.xml]
* ''Main Article: [[Abortion-Breast Cancer (ABC) hypothesis]]''
:The '''Abortion-Breast Cancer (ABC) hypothesis''' posits an association between having an [[abortion]] and a higher risk of developing [[breast cancer]]. The proposed mechanism is based on the increased [[estrogen]] levels found during early [[pregnancy]], which initiate [[cellular differentiation]] (growth) in the [[breast]] in preparation for [[lactation]]. The ABC [[hypothesis]] states that if the pregnancy is aborted before full differentiation in the third [[trimester]], then more "vulnerable" undifferentiated cells would be left than prior to the pregnancy, resulting in an elevated risk of [[breast cancer]]. The majority of interview-based studies have indicated a link, and some are [[statistically significant]], but there is a debate as to their reliability.
:The most recent [[meta-analysis]] of of 53 [[Epidemiology|epidemiological]] studies published by [[Abortion-Breast Cancer (ABC) hypothesis#Meta-analysis|Dr. Beral]] et al. in ''[[The Lancet]]'' in [[March]] [[2004]] found no ABC link; those findings have been disputed by [[Joel Brind|Dr. Brind]], a leading scientific advocate of the ABC hypothesis. Nevertheless, gaps remain in the research as the "ABC link" remains an issue in anti-abortion circles.
* A specific complication that can arise, especially with repeated abortions by a [[dilatation and curettage]], is the development of [[Asherman syndrome]].
===Mental health===
*Research has been carried on the question of whether abortion is associated with increased risk of [[clinical depression]], but the results are mixed.
*According to one study of 1,884 women conducted by the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, women whose first pregnany ended in abortion are 65 percent more likely to be diagnosed with clinical [[depression]] around eight years later.
* Another study of 2,525 women revealed that women who had an abortion were more likely to report depression or lower satisfaction with their lives. However, they also often reported [[rape]], [[child abuse|childhood physical and sexual abuse]], and [[spousal abuse|violent partners]]. After controlling for the history of abuse, partner characteristics, and background variables, abortion was not related to [[mental illness|poorer mental health]] (''Denious, J. & Russo, N. F. (2000). The Socio-Political Context of Abortion and its Relationship to Women's Mental Health. In J. Ussher (Ed.). Women's Health: Contemporary International Perspectives (pp. 431-439). London: British Psychological Society.'').
*A study in the [http://www.medscimonit.com/medscimonit/index.php Medical Science Monitor] stated that, "Consistent with previous research, the data here suggest abortion can increase stress and decrease coping abilities, particularly for those women who have a history of adverse childhood events and prior traumata." In the study, 65 percent of post-abortive [[American]] women and 13.1 percent of [[Russia]]n women experienced multiple symptoms of increased arousal, re-experiencing, and avoidance associated with [[posttraumatic stress disorder]] (PTSD). According to the study, 14.3 percent of American and 0.9 percent of Russian women met the full diagnostic criteria for PTSD. (''Vincent Rue, Priscilla Coleman, James Rue, David Reardon (2004). Induced abortion and traumatic stress: A preliminary comparison of American and Russian women. Med Sci Monit, 2004; 10(10): SR5-16'').
== Abortion law ==
''Main Article: [[abortion law]]''
Abortion has been a controversial subject throughout history due to the [[morality|moral]] and ethical issues that surround it. Limitations of the constitutional right to self-determination of women are one of the core issues of the [[philosophy of law]]. Abortion has been regularly banned and otherwise limited. Almost two thirds of the world's women currently reside in countries where abortion may be obtained on request or for a broad range of [[social]], [[economic]] or personal reasons. Abortion laws vary widely by country, with some countries allowing nearly total liberalization, and others banning abortion under any circumstances. There are also countries that do not have any laws restricting abortion, such as [[Canada]] (see [[Abortion in Canada]]).
== Paternal rights ==
Some have argued that abortion also involves rights for prospective fathers. For a discussion of this topic, please see the ''Oklahoma Law Review'', "Abortions of the Paternal Prerogatives Of Unwed Natural Fathers," 2000.
== Abortion as a Political Issue ==
Abortion has at times been a bitterly-fought [[politics|political]] issue, particularly in the [[United States]]. The controversy in the U.S. started in [[1973]] with the case of ''[[Roe vs. Wade]]'', when the [[United States Supreme Court|Supreme Court]] ruled abortion to be a constitutionally protected right. Specifically, it ruled that states could not forbid a woman to terminate her pregnancy in the first three months (the first trimester) of her pregnancy.
Opponents of abortion are usually termed [[Pro-Life]], while proponents of abortion rights are usually termed [[Pro-Choice]]. The United States Supreme Court is largely considered the gatekeeper of abortion rights in the United States, and as a result, the possibility of the balance of the Court shifting towards a more conservative body became an issue in the [[2004 US Presidential Election]].
The United States' current position regarding abortion under President [[George W. Bush]], who cites his belief in a [[culture of life]] as the basis for his viewpoint, is geared toward restricting access to abortion, including abortions taking place outside the sovereign borders of the United States.
Even so, abortion access in the US has routinely been upheld in court decisions due to the concept of [[undue burden]], in which a woman forced to bear an unwanted [[child]] is thought to suffer undue hardship, including health and financial concerns. A key case would be the [[US Supreme Court's]] decision in [[Planned Parenthood v. Casey]], which established that the government cannot place an "undue burden" on a women's right to terminate a non-viable fetus.
In many other countries, abortion is less of a [[political]] issue. For a long time, it was not considered a mainstream political issue in [[United Kingdom|Great Britain]]. However, in the runup to the [[United Kingdom general election, 2005|2005 General Election]], [[Michael Howard]], the leader of the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservatives]], stated that he, personally, might support a reduction in the limit from 24 weeks to 20 weeks, a move supported by both the [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] and [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] Churches, and leading figures in other parties. More radical UK Christian groups such as [[Christian Voice]] view such reductions as inconsequential and wish to see abortion outlawed completely. Any review would, however, still be subject to a 'free vote' by Members of [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]] - 'free' meaning that Members would not be required to support their party's policy, if any, on the subject.
==Debate on abortion==
''Main article:'' [[Morality and legality of abortion]]
===Pro-choice-stance===
The cornerstone of the [[pro-choice]] movement is the issue of reproductive rights, which its proponents argue encompasses the right of a woman to choose to have an abortion. Most of the arguments are characterized by an appeal to privacy rights and gender equality. Well-known activist organizations like the [[National Organization for Women]] are generally [[pro-choice]]. Similar views are shared by groups ranging from [[American Civil Liberties Union]] to [[Planned Parenthood]].
===Pro-life movement===
The [[pro-life]] movement recognizes the human fetus as a human person with human rights, and conceives of the right to life as the premier right. Some Pro-life supporters connect abortion to war and characterize it as a institution of violence that harms women and children. Well-known organizations like the [[Catholic Church]] are [[pro-life]]. Similar views are shared by many groups including Carenet (with its 850 pregnancy care centers).
==="Rape, Incest and Health" Debate===
Abortion rights advocates often argue that abortion needs to be widely available because some [[women]] become [[pregnant]] due to [[rape]] or [[incest]] (estimated at 2% of pregnancies) or have dangerous pregnancies such as [[Ectopic pregnancy|ectopic pregnancies]] or conditions such as [[Eisenmenger's syndrome|Eisenmenger's Syndrome]] that threaten the health of a woman or the unborn child.
Pro-life advocates consider the human [[embryo]] or [[fetus]] to be an innocent person who should not suffer due to the circumstances of [[conception]].
According to the [[Alan Guttmacher Institute]], there were 1.31 million abortions in the US in 2000, and cases of rape or incest accounted for 1.0% of abortions in 2000. Another study revealed that women reported the following reasons for choosing an abortion:
25.5% Want to postpone childbearing
7.9% Want no (more) [[children]]
21.3% Cannot afford a [[baby]]
10.8% Having a [[child]] will disrupt [[education]] or [[job ]]
14.1% Has relationship problem or partner does not want pregnancy
12.2% Too young; parent(s) or other(s) object to pregnancy
2.8% Risk to [[maternal]] health
3.3% Risk to [[fetal]] health
2.1% Other
Source: Bankole, Akinrinola; Singh, Susheela; Haas, Taylor. "Reasons Why Women Have Induced Abortions: Evidence from 27 Countries." International Family Planning Perspectives, 1998
==Feminism and abortion==
====Historic feminism====
Early feminists took the view that abortion was a horrible tragedy, a disastrous crime, and a male-supported instrument to further power over women.
[[Elizabeth Cady Stanton]] termed abortion ''[[infanticide]]''. [[Mattie Brinkerhoff]] characterized abortion as destroying the life of an unborn child, and evidence that a woman "has been greatly wronged." [[Victoria Woodhull]], the first female US presidential candidate, affirmed that "[t]he rights of children as individuals begin while yet they remain the foetus." [[Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton]] wrote of "infant butcheries" and "ante-natal child murder," describing abortion as interfering with "the right of the unborn to be born." [[Mary Wollstonecraft]] suggested outright that abortion violated the laws of nature and [[Matilda Joslyn Gage]] suggested it was one of the greatest wrongs against women and that it was committed by men. [[Alice Paul]], author of the first [[Equal Rights Amendment]] in 1923, said simply "Abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women." [[Susan B. Anthony]] referred to it as "child murder" and said:
:''"Guilty? Yes. No matter what the motive, love of ease, or a desire to save from suffering the unborn innocent, the woman is awfully guilty who commits the deed. It will burden her conscience in life, it will burden her soul in death; But oh, thrice guilty is he who drove her to the desperation which impelled her to the crime!"''
====Current Feminism====
This historical pro-life stance is no longer shared by most feminist organizations. Feminists oppose limitations of women's rights, and most feminists consider abortion laws as limitations on the right to self determination.
== Related topics ==
*[[Chemical abortion]]
*[[Fetal protection]]
*[[History of abortion]]
*[[Morality and legality of abortion]]
*[[Religion and abortion]]
*[[Roe effect]]
*[[Sex-selective abortion and infanticide]]
*[[Selective reduction]]
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* [http://justfacts.com/abortion.htm Just Facts: Abortion] - Science of the fetus, history of U.S. abortion law, Gallup poll and other media information.
===Pro-life links===
* [http://www.abortionfacts.com Abortion Facts]
* [http://afterabortion.blogspot.com After Abortion]
* [http://www.all.org American Life League]
* [http://www.godlessprolifers.org/home.html Atheist and Agnostic Pro-Life League]
* [http://www.bcptl.org British Columbia Parents and Teachers for Life]
*[http://catholicapologeticsofamerica.blogspot.com/2004_04_01_catholicapologeticsofamerica_archive.html Catholic Apologetics of America Article by Kevin D. Dello Iacono "In Defense of the Catholic Church's Teaching on Abortion."]
* [http://abortionno.com/ The Center for Bioethical Reform] - Uses photos of aborted fetuses (as early as 8 weeks) to illustrate that abortion is murder.
* [http://www.cogforlife.org Children of God For Life]
* [http://www.roenomore.org/crossing_over/ Crossing Over Ministry] - Official web site of Jane Roe (from [[Roe vs. Wade]])
* [http://www.feministsforlife.org Feminists for Life]
* [http://www.hli.org Human Life International]
* [http://www.inourmidst.com Helping the Church reach post-abortive women in the Church]
* [http://www.jewsforlife.org Jews for Life]
* [http://www.safehavenministries.com Post-Abortion Help]
* [http://www.l4l.org/ Libertarians for Life]
* [http://www.lifenews.org LifeNews.org] - Pro-life news.
* [http://www-swiss.ai.mit.edu/~rauch/nvp/hentoff.html Nat Hentoff on Abortion] - Abortion columns by [[Nat Hentoff]], a pro-life civil libertarian
* [http://www.prolifealliance.com National Pro-Life Alliance]
* [http://www.nrlc.org The National Right to Life Committee]
* [http://www.priestsforlife.org Priests for Life]
* [http://www.prolife.org.uk Pro-Life Alliance] - UK pro-life group.
* [http://www.lifenews.com Pro-Life News]
* [http://www.rockforlife.org/html/index.html Rock for Life] - Organization uniting pro-life musicians.
===Pro-choice links===
* [http://www.abortion.com Abortion Providers] Abortion Clinic Directory
* [http://www.abortionclinic.com/ Abortion Clinics Online - Reputable Abortion Clinics Near You]
* [http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/abort1.htm Abortion Debate - The Case for Legal Abortion] Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc.
* [http://www.thedoctorslounge.net/obslounge/articles/mifepruse/mifepruse.htm Press release on Mifepristone]
* [http://www.abortionclinic.org Medical & Surgical Abortion Providers] Abortion provider directory by The National Coalition of Abortion Providers
* [http://www.geocities.com/chadofborg/medicalethics.htm Abortion, Viability, and the Right to Life]
* [http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/abortion.htm Abortion and the Alternatives Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc.]
* [http://www.capitalism.org/faq/abortion.htm Capitalism is Pro-Abortion]
* [http://www.choiceusa.org/ Choice USA]
* [http://www.womenonwaves.org/set-1020.628-en.html Help for women with an unwanted pregnancy in countries where abortion is illegal]
* [http://www.imnotsorry.net/ I'm Not Sorry]
* [http://www.lawstudentsforchoice.org/ Law Students for Choice]
* [http://www.ms4c.org/ Medical Students For Choice]
* [http://www.naral.org/ NARAL Pro-Choice America]
* [http://www.prochoice.org/ National Abortion Federation]
* [http://www.plannedparenthood.com/ Planned Parenthood]
* [http://www.plannedparenthood.com/health/ Planned Parenthood Health Information]
* [http://www.prochoiceconnection.com/ Pro-Choice Connection (Canada)]
* [http://www.protectchoice.org/ Pro-Choice Public Education Project]
* [http://www.pro-choicelibertarians.net/ Pro-Choice Libertarians]
[[Category:Abortion]][[Category:Abortion by country]][[Category:Obstetrics]][[Category:Core issues in ethics]]
[[cs:Interrupce]]
[[da:Abort]]
[[de:Schwangerschaftsabbruch]]
[[es:Aborto]]
[[fr:Interruption volontaire de grossesse]]
[[ia:Aborto]]
[[nl:Abortus]]
[[ja:妊娠中絶]]
[[pl:Aborcja]]
[[pt:Interrupção da gravidez]]
[[fi:Abortti]]
[[sv:Abort]]
[[tl:Aborsiyon]]
[[zh:堕胎]]
| 