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Abortion: A Moral or Economic Issue?
Featured Discussion
How should nations approach abortion as both a legal and moral issue?
Email your opinions to Editor-in-Chief Fatima Yousuf at [email protected]
According to The Guttmacher Institute, abortion is completely banned with no exceptions in about 26 countries. Let’s take a look at some abortion laws and polices around the world.
AUSTRALIA - In Australia, depending upon the state in which one resides , the abortion laws vary. That’s because the abortions laws are made by the state governments instead of the federal government. Research has shown that the majority in Australia support access to safe and legal abortions. However, there are several groups, such as the Right to Life Australia , which continue to oppose abortion on the grounds that abortions “violate the right to life of the pre-born child."
UNITED STATES - In the US, states have regulated abortion laws to decide whether, when and under what circumstances a woman may obtain an abortion. There are 43 states that prohibit abortions after a certain point in pregnancy, with the exception being risk/danger to the woman’s life or health. There are 45 states that allow individual health care providers to refuse participation in an abortion.
SWEDEN - Women can ask and receive abortion without having to give a reason, up until the 18th week of pregnancy. Additionally, all the abortions cost the same as any other doctor’s appointment. All women are entitled to it whether they live in Sweden or not, the only difference being that the procedure may be much more expensive for women without a Swedish personal number. National Board of Health and Welfare gives permission for abortion between the 18th and the 22nd week of pregnancy for special reasons.
INDIA - The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, legalized abortion. However, abortion can only be performed up to 20 weeks of conception, legally speaking.
Exceptions are made only if the pregnancy poses a threat to the mother’s life or health. While MTP Act, 1971 may be responsible for legalization of abortion, it still fails to recognize a woman’s right to choice in asking for abortion, for even in the early stages of pregnancy, In this case, the physician can decide to disallow the woman to obtain an abortion.