Abortion From a Scientific Perspective: Both Sides of the Argument
By Abby Leonardi
Over recent years, many debates have arisen over the legality and legitimacy of abortion in the United States. With the recent repeal of Roe v. Wade, a case in 1973 which granted abortion as a constitutional right, it is an increasingly topical issue today. However, many popular arguments either pro-life (against abortion) or pro-choice (for abortion) aren’t explicitly based on scientific fact, but on societal assertions. Overall, few know the science behind this issue. So what is the evidence behind both sides?
Pro-Choice Scientific Evidence
On both sides of the argument, key pieces of evidence are centered around the health, mental and physical, of a woman who gets an abortion and the level of autonomy or life of the fetus being aborted.
As for women’s health, both short-term and long-term health risks need to be taken into account. After getting an abortion, these effects include mental health disorders, a higher chance of future misscarriage, risk of breast cancer, and, in some cases, even premature death. These effects take an immense toll on the woman, however, in comparison to those of childbirth, a clear difference arises.
While these risks are extremely hazardous alone, they are seemingly benign in comparison to the effects of not getting the procedure and giving birth. According to the National Library of Medicine, “...abortion is markedly safer than childbirth,“ with “The risk of death associated with childbirth [being] approximately 14 times higher than that with abortion.” As the death rate of childbirth largely exceeds that of abortion, the procedure is scientifically considered safer for a woman from a physical health perspective. Additionally, in pregnancy and childbirth, various issues commonly arise with the fetus itself, with Johns Hopkins University reporting complications such as ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage/fetal loss, placental complications, and immense internal bleeding. Childbirth also puts the safety of the fetus at risk, indicating that childbirth can poorly affect the health of not only the woman, but also the baby.
Next, the autonomy of the fetus itself can be observed. This portion of the scientific argument proves important because if the fetus is considered a living “human,” then aborting it and therefore killing it is considered morally wrong and against the beliefs of most doctors and physicians. An article written by Jerry Conye, a biologist, claims that “A ‘person’ is not created at fertilization: …That zygote is an undifferentiated ball of cells without mentation or the ability to feel pain.” Here, he explains that a zygote, a fertilized egg, is technically not alive. Since the zygote is dependent on the woman’s body for life, it is not autonomous, meaning that it cannot feel pain nor survive alone. Further in the development of the zygote, many argue that this ideology still applies, meaning that the fetus cannot be considered living because of its immense dependence on the woman’s body. However, it is important to note that much of this debate over the legitimacy of its life is largely considered a moral discussion, as there is no scientific measuring stick for life.
In the pro-choice argument, plenty of scientific evidence and health records work to bolster its validity. It shows that, in comparison to following through with childbirth, abortion is considered much safer for the woman. As for the fetus, we can interpret that it is not actually alive, solving some of the moral decisions in the conversation of abortion. Additionally, we can also conclude that birth continues to have negative effects on the born child as well, meaning that both sides have the potential to put the fetus at risk.
Pro-Life Scientific Evidence-
Similar to the argument and evidence in favor of the Pro-Choice side of this discussion, the Pro-Life side also centers around the woman’s health as well as the autonomy of the fetus.
For a woman who undergoes a medical or surgical abortion, many side effects previously mentioned may arise. However, taking into account that, according to the World Health Organization, around 45% of all abortions are deemed unsafe, even more dangerous situations and disorders can take place after the operation. This includes an even larger risk of maternal death as well as induced negative mental health effects such as immense depression. These risks are considered very dangerous for the woman, even comparable to the negative effects of childbirth. As birth also increases the chance of maternal death and physical/mental disorders, many consider the risks of common and unsafe abortion similar to those of childbirth.
Contrary to the Pro-Choice argument for the autonomy of a fetus, the Pro-Life approach provides a much different definition for its liveliness. Instead of focusing on its dependence on the woman’s body, it highlights its human qualities, granting it an individual identity. According to the Family Research Council, “the new human zygote has a genetic composition that is absolutely unique to itself, different from any other human that has ever existed, including that of its mother.” In this argument, because a fertilized egg contains its own genetics, the fetus and zygote are both completely separate from the woman who holds them. This implies that they are not necessarily dependent on the carrier, as they have a different makeup.
Additionally, as concluded by the Westchester Institute, “the zygote acts immediately and decisively to initiate a program of development that will, if uninterrupted by accident, disease, or external intervention, proceed seamlessly through formation of the definitive body…This coordinated behavior is the very hallmark of an organism.” Here, because it can act to protect itself alone and grow in its development, the zygote is considered a living body and can seem to have even less dependence on the carrier for life. Due to its ability to act in response to various scenarios, the zygote is considered its own being.
In the Pro-Life argument, scientific evidence proves to be sufficient in supporting its logic. It shows that, because many abortions are considered unsafe, their side effects are comparable to those of childbirth. Additionally, it shows that the fetus can be deemed its own living body, meaning that aborting it and therefore “killing” it would be against the moral beliefs of the majority of doctors and physicians.
Conclusion
On both the Pro-Life and Pro-Choice side of this debate, there exists scientific evidence to prove both of their arguments. This means that this data can be skewed to fit the interpretation depending on inherent biases of individuals. This indicates that though there are facts behind each reasoning, the legitimacy of abortion is essentially a moral discussion. The decision on whether or not abortion should be allowed in the United States will also be up to individual interpretations and beliefs—it will most likely be up to opinions rather than fact.
Works Cited
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