The issue of abortion has been a widely debated issue over the past twenty years. In fact, it is probably still the most controversial of all the current contemporary social issues heading into the twenty-first century. Abortion poses a moral, social, and medical dillemma that stirs up emotional responses among disputants of the topic.

Usually, there are two point of views on abortion, those that are “pro-choice” and those that are “pro-life.” Pro-lifers would argue that from the moment of conception, a fetus, or human embryo, is a living person. Abortion deprives this fetus of a chance to live and can be considered murder. The Catholic Church advocates this stance, since we have a moral obligation to preserve all forms of life. Pro-choicers, on the other hand, may feel that the decision to abort a pregnancy is that of the mother and the state has no right to interfere. Actually, about half of the U.S. population are for abortion and the other half are against it. Clearly, what’s at stake in the issue is the fetus’ right to life.

The actual procedure involved in abortion can be done in a number of ways. As early as the day after having unprotected sexual intercours

e, a woman can be given drugs to halt fetal development, such as the “morning after pill.” One of the most common methods of abortion is the vaccum aspiration method. This is usually performed within the first trimester (first three months) of pregnancy. A tube, called a cannula, is simply inserted into the female’s cervix and the contents are vacuumed out. However, when the pregnancy reaches the second trimester (second three months), abortion becomes increasingly complicated. In a procedure called dilation and evacuation, a vacuumed is first used to remove as much of the fetus and placenta as possible, then physicians use forceps to extract the remaining parts. Further, after the human embryo has matured for five months an abortion is serious and is actually induced as childbirth. The mother is given chemicals that induce labor and she delivers the premature fetus.

Secondly, abortion also infringes upon the Principle of Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable. Probably the two weakest and most vulnerable times in a person’s life come before or during birth, and at death. Ironically, abortion combines the former with the latter. Unborn children are very vulnerable; that is, their lives are literally in the mother’s hands. It is the Catholic social teaching to protect all forms of life to the greatest extent of human capabilities. In conjunction with this, the Principle of Stewardship tells us to care for all of God’s creations. By doing so, we show respect to the creator and adhere to the teachings of Jesus.

If abortion was illegal it would force many poor women to bear and raise children they can't afford to bring up. For some, this would mean ruining the dreams and goals of that person to stay home and care for a child. A case may arise when a young woman has sex and uses contraceptives, but these fail and she becomes pregnant at a very young age. Even worse, if a woman victimized by rape became pregnant with the offspring of the rapist, this could be

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