General Definition of 'Abortion'
The general term 'abortion' has traditionally meant the intentional or unintentional
expulsion of the pre-born child from the uterus before he or she has reached the
age of viability (defined as the point after which the pre-born child can
survive outside the womb with or without medical assistance). In practice,
though, abortion in a number of countries is legal until the moment of birth. In
fact, some abortion methods such as dilation and extraction (D&X), the
"partial birth" abortion, are designed to kill the pre-born child when the birth
process is almost complete.
At the other end of the spectrum, more and more drugs are now being developed
whose only purpose is to destroy the life of pre-born children after
fertilisation (the union of the sperm and ovum) and before implantation of the
embryo or zygote in the mother's uterus.
The Catholic Church teaches that abortion is not only
"the expulsion of the immature foetus"
but is also
"the killing of the same foetus in any way and at
any time from the moment of conception."[1]
What are the Different Types of Surgical Abortions?
Depending upon the gestational age of the pre-born child and the physical condition of the
mother, the abortionist has a variety of abortion methods in his arsenal.
Early abortions (those in the first trimester) are usually done with:
- dilation and curettage (D&C) or
- suction.
Abortionists use more complex methods to kill pre-born babies in the second and third
trimesters. These include:
- dilation and evacuation (D&E)
- saline
- dilation and extraction(D&X)
- prostaglandin
- hysterectomy or
- intercardiac injection abortions.[2]
What is "Menstrual Extraction" (ME)
"Menstrual extraction" is basically an early suction abortion using either a standard
abortion suction machine with a flexible cannula or a home-made contraption made on Mason
jars, aquarium tubing, corks and syringes.
ME serves three very important purposes, in both developed and developing countries:
- It lets abortionists circumvent legal clauses that include statements such
as "woman know to be pregnant," and thus lets them avoid legal liability. This
aspect of ME is critical when it is used in countries with abortion laws that
protect pre-born children, and it will become more significant as some
developed nations with permissive abortion laws move to outlaw or restrict
abortion in the future.
- ME insulates women form knowing whether they are pregnant. They may
suspect they are pregnant, but ME allows them to remain ignorant, and
therefore lets the mechanism of self-denial operate.
- It allows nations to "fudge" their abortion statistics for various
purposes. For example, ME is frequently used in Holland, but they are not
counted as abortions. This allows Dutch statisticians to claim that the
nation's abortion rate is low due to widespread contraception and sex
education.[3]
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SUMMARY OF SCRIPTURE REFERENCES CONCERNING ABORTION
Human life begins in the womb
Genesis 16:11; 25:21-26 /
Exodus 21:22-15 / Jeremiah 1:5 / Isaiah 7:14; 44:2,24; 46:3; 49:1; 53:6 / Job
3:11-16; 10:8-12; 31:15 / Psalm 22:9-10; 139: 13-16 / Ecclesiastes 5:15 and 11:5
/ Luke 1:13-15 and 1:39-44
Human life begins at fertilisation
Psalms 51: 5 / Luke 1:35-36
God knows us even before we are conceived
Judges 13:3-7 / Jeremiah 1: 4-5 / Ephesians 1:4
Punishment for causing a spontaneous abortion
Exodus 21:22-25 / Numbers 35: 22-34
The slaying of the innocent is a heinous crime
Deuteronomy 27:25 / Luke 17:2 / Jeremiah 7:6 and 22:17 / Psalms 106:37-38 / Proverbs 6:16-19
/ Matthew 18:10-1
Abortion for rape and incest is never allowed
Genesis 19:36-38; and 50:20 / Romans 8:28 / Genesis 38
Abortion for birth defects is never allowed
John 9:1-3 / Acts 17:25-29 / Psalms 94:9 / Roman 8:28 / Leviticus 19:14 / Isaiah 45:9-12
Abortion for the mother's mental health is never allowed
Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28
Abortion to conceal fornication or adultery is never allowed
Genesis 16:2-4 and 21:1-18; Genesis 38
Children must not be sacrificed for any reason
Ezekiel 16:20-21 / Jeremiah 32:35 / Exodus 1:15-17 / Psalms 106:37-42 / IIKings 16:3; 17:17;
and 21:6
Children are a gift from God
Genesis 30:1-2; Psalms 127:3-5
(Summary of Scripture References Concerning Abortion taken from The Facts of Life, An
Authoritative Guide to Life and Family Issue by Brian Clowes Phd p 199)
[1] The Facts of Life, An Authoritative Guide to Life and Family Issues by Brian Clowes Phd p1
[2] Ibid p4
[3] Ibid p10
