Relooking at the Pros & Cons of Partial Birth Abortion
In doing so, the Court ruled that abortion rights originally recognized in its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision allow a medical professional to perform a partial-birth abortion whenever that professional believe that a "health" benefit would result.
In 2003, Congress passed and President Bush signed the Partial-Birth Abortion Act, which included an exemption only to preserve a woman's life. Within hours of passing, three separate federal judges blocked it from taking force. Federal courts have since ruled that the federal ban is unconstitutional on many grounds. The 2003 Partial-Birth Abortion Act has never been enforced, pending resolution of legal appeals.
That could all change when the Supreme Court, with its two new, presumably conservative justices Roberts and Alito, hears fresh arguments this fall in appeals to their 2000 Nebraska decision.
It's easy to dismiss all partial-birth abortions as immoral and wrong, as do many political and religious leaders. And Americans agree: A January 2003 Gallup poll found that 70% of Americans favor a ban on partial-birth abortions, with only 25% opposed to such a ban. Were that poll taken today, I doubt that results would be much different: It's an ugly procedure with an invariably tragic ending.
Most faith traditions agree, though, that there ARE very rare occasions when a partial-birth abortion is the right choice. And that the humane and moral legislative and judicial approach to this late-term abortion procedure is to allow exemptions for those occasions.
I readily admit, as a Christian and a mother, that the mere concept of a partial-birth abortion turns my stomach....but as I studied this issue in earnest, I've come to agree that in rare instances, a partial-birth abortion can be the compassionate solution to a horrible situation.
Bear with me, even though you may disagree with my statements here: Take the time to read, ponder (and perhaps pray about) my newest article, Pros & Cons of Partial Birth Abortions.------------------------------
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Comments
Like euthanasia, there are no winners or losers in abortion even when it may be the moral choice.
Sadly, that’s so true!
I’m glad Michael Schiavo is starting to speak out. What a terrible decision to make. My sister tricked my dad into signing a durable power of attorney this January. She was telling lab techs that they couldn’t draw blood two weeks before he died. While needle pricks are uncomfortable, they are necessary to assess and evaluate the patients condition and can even lead to interventions to make them more comfortable. I threatened to go to court if she didn’t stop her nonsense. It was a most difficult time.