BAGANO, KIRSTENMAY

BATULAN, ALYSSA MARIE

GROUP 3 - BSN13
ABORTION
NEGATIVE/PRO-LIFE
JANUARY 27, 2025

Abortion is one of the most pressing moral issues in society today. The pro-life stance upholds
the fundamental right to life, asserting that every human being, from the moment of conception,
possesses inherent dignity and worth. Abortion is not simply a matter of personal choice; it involves the
deliberate ending of an innocent human life. As staunch advocates for life, we argue that abortion should
not be legal or accessible due to its ethical, medical, and societal consequences.

Abortion is the intentional termination of a pregnancy, resulting in the death of the unborn child.
Legal battles and shifting policies have shaped the accessibility of abortion worldwide. Despite the 1973
U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade, which initially legalized abortion, the recognition of the
unborn child’s right to life has gained increasing attention. Scientific advancements confirm that life
begins at conception, with a unique DNA sequence forming at that moment. Furthermore, abortion has
significant consequences not only for the unborn but also for the physical and mental well-being of
women, making it a critical issue that must be addressed through ethical alternatives.

Life begins at conception, and abortion unjustly terminates that life. According to the American
College of Pediatricians, a human’s unique DNA is fully formed at conception, marking the start of an
individual life. Research from the Charlotte Lozier Institute indicates that a fetal heartbeat begins as
early as six weeks, and brain activity can be detected by the seventh week. If society protects newborns
and premature infants, it should extend the same moral and legal protections to the unborn. Abortion
disregards the basic human right to life and allows for the termination of innocent human beings based
solely on convenience or circumstances.

A woman’s right to control her body does not extend to ending an unborn child’s life. According
to the Journal of Medical Ethics, bodily autonomy has ethical limits when it involves harm to another
human being. Legal restrictions already exist on personal freedoms when they harm others (e.g.,
substance abuse during pregnancy, assault). The unborn child is a distinct individual with its own genetic
identity. Just as parents are legally and morally obligated to care for their children after birth, the same
responsibility applies to an unborn child. Protecting bodily autonomy should not override the right to life
of another human being.

True healthcare preserves life; abortion directly contradicts this principle. A study published in
the British Journal of Psychiatry found that women who had abortions were 81% more likely to
experience mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. The American College of
Pediatricians also states that abortion increases the risk of preterm birth and infertility in subsequent
pregnancies. Ethical healthcare focuses on healing and supporting life, not terminating it. Instead of
promoting abortion, medical efforts should be directed towards prenatal care, mental health support,
and adoption services to provide humane and ethical solutions for both mother and child.

Financial struggles or difficult circumstances do not justify ending an unborn life. A report from
the Guttmacher Institute shows that 75% of women who choose abortion cite financial instability as a
primary reason. However, research from the Charlotte Lozier Institute highlights that crisis pregnancy
centers provide free support services, including housing, financial assistance, and parenting education.
The value of human life should not be determined by financial or social status. Instead of promoting
abortion as an escape from hardship, society should strengthen support systems that empower women
to choose life while addressing economic and social concerns.

Opponents argue that legal abortion prevents unsafe procedures. However, research shows that
countries with restrictive abortion laws but strong maternal healthcare systems, such as Poland and
Chile, have lower maternal mortality rates compared to nations with widespread abortion access.
Instead of legalizing abortion, efforts should focus on ensuring women have access to quality healthcare,
financial assistance, and education about ethical alternatives like adoption. Additionally, some claim that
abortion is necessary in cases of rape and incest, but studies indicate that abortion does not heal trauma
and can, in fact, increase emotional distress. Research published in the Journal of American Physicians
and Surgeons reveals that women who carry pregnancies resulting from rape to term and choose
adoption report a greater sense of healing and closure. The unborn child is innocent and should not be
punished for the actions of another.

Abortion is a grave moral issue that must be addressed with compassion and conviction.
Scientific evidence confirms that life begins at conception, and every unborn child has a right to life.
Rather than resorting to abortion, society must focus on providing pregnant women with financial aid,
healthcare, and adoption services. Upholding the sanctity of life is a moral duty that ensures the
protection of the most vulnerable members of our society—the unborn.
REFERENCES:

American College of Pediatricians – "When Human Life Begins." American College of Pediatricians,
March 2017. [Available at: [Link]

Charlotte Lozier Institute – "Science Demonstrates Life Begins at Conception." Charlotte Lozier
Institute, October 2021. [Available at: [Link]

Journal of Medical Ethics – Giubilini, Alberto, and Francesca Minerva. "After-birth Abortion: Why
Should the Baby Live?" Journal of Medical Ethics, vol. 39, no. 5, 2013, pp. 261–263.

British Journal of Psychiatry – Coleman, Priscilla K. "Abortion and Mental Health: Quantitative
Synthesis and Analysis of Research Published 1995–2009." British Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 199, no. 3,
2011, pp. 180–186.

American College of Pediatricians (duplicate entry) – "Abortion and the Risk of Preterm Birth."
American College of Pediatricians, 2018. [Available at: [Link]

Guttmacher Institute – Jones, Rachel K., and Jenna Jerman. "Reasons U.S. Women Have Abortions:
Quantitative and Qualitative Perspectives." Guttmacher Institute, vol. 37, no. 3, 2017, pp. 113–129.
[Available at: [Link]

Charlotte Lozier Institute (duplicate entry) – Donovan, Susan. "The Impact of Pregnancy Help Centers."
Charlotte Lozier Institute, April 2022. [Available at: [Link]

Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons – Reardon, David C. "Pregnancy-Associated Deaths in