Most advocates of legal abortion, the expulsion of the fetus, see it not so much as a women’s right or a matter of personal autonomy, but rather as the best alternative. According to them, abortion frees a woman from her unplanned pregnancy; and keeping it legal at least prevents dangerous illegal practices. These advocates of abortion, and women who want to stay away from my body, oppose the Catholic Church, which forbids abortion in all cases. The Church thus chooses to protect unborn life.
Vote
Except for unborn children, the voices of slaves, of excluded strangers, of abused housewives and abused children were also not heard. Nowadays, the existence of these human groups can no longer be denied. This is not yet the case with the vulnerable, dependent embryo. The choice and practice of abortion has increased since its legalization. An estimated 46 million abortions are performed worldwide every year. It is hoped that gradually the voice of the unborn child will also be heard.
Women’s rights
The Catholic Church is not against women’s rights or scientific progress, nor does it favor the right of the embryo over that of the adult (it’s not a competition!) Just as we fought against the slave trade in the early 19th century, we hope we that society ultimately also recognizes the humanity of the unborn child. British research among women shows that a clear majority of 2/3 are in favor of tightening abortion rules. In passing, it emerged that women have more knowledge of life in the womb than men and that they are much more strongly against abortion, which means that it is certainly no longer sustainable that abortion is a gender issue.
Unborn life
God creates each human being as the center of a new world, shaped by his/her history, a microcosm, essentially irreplaceable. An unborn fetus is not less valuable because it is less developed. Each fruit is a new biological individual, a completely new genetic identity created from the fusion of genetic material from the mother and father. A living being with the potential to develop in the womb and beyond. Even though the human qualities are not visible from the very beginning, it is not a potentially human being, but a human being with potential!
Breeding
Perhaps the most infamous example of Eugenics is the breeding of an Aryan race in Germany in the early 20th century. And similar practices took place elsewhere, such as allowing poor families (GB) or racial minority groups such as Indians and aborigines (US, AU) or the mentally disabled to have fewer or no children. However, even if abnormalities are found during a pregnancy accepted by others, abortion is often performed routinely in hospitals; few people hear about it. Breeding is therefore daily practice on a large scale, where the strong decide the fate of the weak.
Fetus
Abortion only becomes illegal after 24 weeks of pregnancy. Then it is only allowed if there is a serious disability. What is serious remains shrouded in mystery and the reasons for aborting the fetus are confidential. However, even easily treatable abnormalities such as a cleft palate are included! Yet in the last five to ten years there has been a movement from the right to choose (pro-choice) towards the right to life (pro-life). Studies increasingly show that women, as well as men, continue to suffer from severe grief and regret as a result of an abortion for years afterward.
Discussion
The legal upper limit for abortion is determined by the factor of viability outside the womb. Thanks to technological advances, this was reduced (in 1990) from 28 to 24 weeks; However, in most European countries the limit is 12 weeks. This large difference is due to national political, ethical and scientific forces. Although the law accepts the rights of the unborn child, it has difficulty drawing the line in relation to other rights. When one chooses an objective, scientific standard, it determines the value of life for us. Science is not concerned with good or evil, but only with verifiability. A questionable criterion!
Laugh
Professor Stuart Campbell, an atheist, and as a pro-choice doctor used to performing abortions, went over to the other camp because of what he saw thanks to ultrasound technology. At the time when 30% of abortions are performed between 10 and 12 weeks, you can clearly see the unborn child laughing, walking and experiencing pain: a fully formed human being! Thanks to ultrasound technology, what exactly an abortion entails remains undisclosed.
Alternatives
Criminalizing mothers and fathers who abort their unborn child is an unattractive option. And better than lowering the upper limit for abortion, it is to offer pregnant women support in the form of information, advice, education and housing. The pro-life movement is thus increasingly a social, citizen movement rather than a political or philosophical movement. The choice is then not a negative one but a positive one: a choice for life.