The practice of abortion dates back to ancient times. Pregnancies were terminated through a number of methods, including the administration of herbs, the use of sharpened implements, the application of abdominal pressure, and other techniques. (Alters) In the United States, abortion laws began to appear in the 1820s, forbidding abortion after the fourth month of pregnancy.(Hendershott) Through the efforts primarily of physicians, the American Medical Association, and legislators, most abortions in the US had been outlawed by 1900. (Hendershott)
Abortion is defined as the inducing of premature delivery in order to destroy offspring. It is a chosen miscarriage. Within abortion there are many different questions. Does the constitution defend an individual’s right to abortion? Does this include confidentiality? Is a developing fetus a being? Should the law allow abortions for rape or incest cases? (Hill)
There are three questions that are basic to the entire abortion controversy: The first is: "Is this human life?” The second question is: "Should we grant equal protection by law to all living humans in our nation?" or, “Should we allow discrimination against entire classes of living humans?” and the third question is about Choice and Women’s Rights.