No, Abortion is not murder

The controversy around abortion is one that repeatedly ignites its flame; it has been extensively broken down by various healthcare professionals and governments ( both usually occupying opposing positions on the argument). There are multiple misconceptions surrounding abortion, the most central being the criticism that abortion is infanticide. To briefly answer this, abortion is not murder. In this article, we will carefully deconstruct the myths surrounding abortion through both a biological and a political lens. 

Abortion is a medical procedure that allows women to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. The procedure can be conducted through two different methods: Medicinal and Surgical. Medicinal abortion involves ingesting a combination of 2 different hormonal medicines (Mifepristone and Mifeprostol). Mifepristone is typically taken before Mifeprostol and typically blocks the hormone progesterone. The blockage results in the breakdown of the lining whilst dilating the cervix and stops the pregnancy from growing. Following this, the woman takes Mifepristone, which helps expel the pregnancy tissue via stimulation of uterine contractions. The second method of terminating a pregnancy is a surgical procedure in which the cervix is dilated via metal rods. Following this, a narrow flexible rod is gently inserted inside the cervical opening that suctions the pregnancy tissue from the body. 

A common misconception about abortion is that it carries an inherent risk to the woman’s body and health. However, this myth is largely made up to scare women. Abortion is a generally safe medical procedure. As long as the process is mediated via qualified doctors in the earlier stages of a woman’s pregnancy ( up to 12 weeks). According to the WHO, “Deaths from safe abortion are negligible, <1/100 000”. However, the risk of an unsafe abortion significantly increases with maternal age and stage of pregnancy. Unsafe abortions arising from unsafe healthcare interventions are a large cause of infant deaths, and the inherent risk of abortion rises to >200/100,000. 

A blatant lie that has been commonly fed to women as they were faced with an unwanted pregnancy was that “abortion is murder”. Most pregnancies are typically conducted within the first trimester of the pregnancy, with up to 24 weeks being the limit to get an abortion legally in most countries. Post 24 weeks, an abortion is typically not excused as the fetus is considered “viable” ( an abortion is only granted 24+ weeks in extreme circumstances under court orders). Before the 24 weeks, the fetus has not developed to be considered a human, thus negating the whole argument comparing abortion to murder. Up to 90% of the abortions occur within the first trimester, in which the fetus has not developed enough to be considered a functioning “person”, it is simply a clump of cells - the fetus does not have neural consciousness for the first 22 weeks of the pregnancy. Abortion is the end of a potential human life; it is not murder in any circumstance. 

I believe the long-standing debate surrounding abortion is not simply that it can be construed as “murder” but rather one that abortion can threaten the dynamics within our society. Our society consistently attempts to reinforce the rigid gender roles that dictate the submission of women to a man's wants and desires. Typically, it is expected of a woman to provide a man with children; abortion threatens this as the decision to end a pregnancy solely rests with the woman rather than the man. Abortion restricts the control men have historically sought over women's bodies. Further, unplanned parenting has restricted several women from pursuing higher education, and easy access to abortion removes this restriction. The removal of such abolishes hierarchies where women financially depend on men and threatens the long-standing societal hierarchy.