The abortion movement, heir to the successes of modern feminism and the sexual revolution, was born out of the legal power of hard case testimonies: rape, incest, and maternal health risks. As the movement grew and accelerated, virtually any ill-timed pregnancy became a case in which an elective abortion might be recommended. In short, the exceptions became the rule. Further, the crafted images of crisis pregnancies and unwanted children became the public relations twins that drove a juggernaut claiming over one million lives per year. Even the centuries old Hippocratic Oath met with alteration to discreetly legitimize the abortionist's practice. We are now long past the days when the procedure of abortion needed the hard cases to justify itself. In fact, one might wonder how long it might be before the mother wishing to carry her child to term will need an advocate of her own.
Categories for this Feature:
Dead Reckoning Richard John NeuhausPower corrupts. So does abortion. The stain of its influence touches many aspects of our government and society.
ABORTION (Medical): Medicalizing Abortion Decisions Thomas Murpy GoodwinThe author, a physician himself, argues that the medical community has a crucial bias with regard to the abortion issue. More specifically, this bias consists in bringing political aspects of the abortion issue into the medical decision-making process. To build his case, he points out the scarcity of cases in which pregnancy poses a genuine health risk to the mother. He also uses five case studies, taken from his own experience, in which abortions were unnecessarily recommended by other doctors as a therapeutic procedure.
The Abortion Cocktail Bernard N. NathansonA former abortionist (who is now a pro-life doctor) reviews the history of chemical abortafacients. He also describes a current drug that is used for the same purpose. Will the removal of surgery from this procedure ultimately bring about the end of the political and legal battle over abortion?
Picture Perfect: The Politics of Prenatal Testing Elizabeth KristolThis article addresses the issues involved in prenatal screening.
Abortion, Breast Cancer, and Ideology Joel BrindMany studies over the decades have linked induced abortion to an increased risk of breast cancer in women. In spite of their substantial statistical evidence, however, these studies have been ignored and criticized by the medical establishment. On what basis do they attempt to undermine these consistent research findings?
ABORTION (Legal/Historical): Roe: Twenty-Five Years Later First ThingsThe editors of First Things make a well-informed, even dramatic, statement against the tide of Roe v. Wade. They firmly defy the "culture of death" legacy that the Supreme Court spawned with this most infamous decision.
Infanticide for Beginners James NuechterleinPro-lifers have long argued that the line between abortion and infanticide is merely an arbitrary one--the moment of birth. This essay reviews an article, recently appearing in a well-known publication, in which an abortion proponent makes an argument along these same lines. In an ironic twist of rhetoric, that author turns the concern of the abortion/infanticide distinction into an argument to exclude newborns from the protection of murder laws.
The Public Policy of Casey v. Planned Parenthood Michael G. SmithThis article considers the abortion issue by examining the central argument in the Supreme Court's 1992 Casey v. Planned Parenthood decision. Points of consideration in this examination include: feminism, abortion as murder, sexual revolution, and violence in society. The author's argument, written from a legal point of view, rejects the notion that abortion is simply a matter of individual choice.
Inconvenient Lives Robert BorkRobert Bork re-examines the abortion question in this sweeping biological and philosophical discussion. He expresses concern with the current protected status of abortion on demand, as well as the broader cultural implications of such acceptance.
Abortion Before Roe Russell HittingerWould abortion soon have become legalized across the board in state legislatures if Roe v. Wade had left the questions to the states? The author answers this question by considering the political and legal climate regarding abortion prior to this landmark decision.
The America We Seek: A Statement of Pro-Life Principle and Concern A group of authors, professors and organization leaders state their united concern in this document for America's unborn children. They describe the many problems with the current status of abortion on demand. They also address possible solutions to this tragedy.
Doing What Can Be Done Clarke D. ForsytheAn attorney argues against the partial-birth abortion procedure.
ABORTION (Moral/Activism): Roe v. McCorvey Norma McCorvey with Gary ThomasNorma McCorvey was the plaintiff in Roe v. Wade. This 1973 Supreme Court decision in her favor effectively struck down any restrictions on abortion. She used her status symbol role in the Feminist movement to promote the Pro-Choice cause and to work in the abortion industry. More recently, she changed her mind and heart regarding the issue of abortion. This is her story.
Arguments Against Abortion Kerby AndersonBiblical, medical, legal and philosophical arguments against abortion are offered.
College Right-to-Life Handbook Andrew A. SiicreeThis handbook is intended to serve as a resource for college students working to bring the right-to-life movement to their campuses. It is meant to be a practical, working manual - with a smattering of pro-life theory for good measure.
Abortion Sue BohlinA woman's look at abortion from a biblical position. This essay explores the reason abortion is such an emotionally volatile subject, as well as biblical and medical reasons why it is wrong, concluding with some personal stories dealing with handicaps.
Facing Up to Infanticide J. BottumEven abortion advocates are beginning to admit that abortion, although it should remain legal, is actually the killing of a child. The attempt to reconcile a belief in legalized killing with liberal "compassion" is most difficult. The author describes the philosophical framework of both pro-life and pro-choice positions.
Related Articles: Building Holy Families the Natural Way Cindy OmlinThe author presents a rarely heard argument on the relationship between Christian marriage and birth control.
The Sanctity of Human Life: Harvesting Human Fetal Parts Dr. Ray BohlinOnce a sanctity of human life standard is abandoned for a quality of life ethic, a slippery ethical slope leads to horrors undreamed of even 20 years ago. Legalized abortion has led to the sale of fetal tissue and eventually to legalized euthanasia.
Human Cloning: Have Human Beings Been Cloned? Dr. Ray BohlinRecent claims to have cloned human beings are exaggerated. George Washington University researchers Stillman and Hale more correctly achieved artificial twinning of human embryos. True human cloning is still a far-off possibility with many ethical pitfalls.
Population and the Wealth of Nations William McGurnIn the 1950's and 1960's there was a trend in academia to write and speak out against the dangers of overpopulation. The power of this argument was rooted in the alleged scarcity of resources, particularly in the Third World. There are, however, events in recent history which may be used to challenge these widely held assertions.
Swearing to Life John RoddenJustice Harry Blackmun found it necessary to render the verbiage of the Hippocratice Oath an historical artifact as he launched the modern abortion age. Shortly thereafter, this traditional physician's oath was either significantly altered or completely abandoned by medical schools. Attempts to build a consensus on an alternative ethical standard for the medical profession have proven to be less than successful.
Go here to see our past Special Focus features.