TOK in the News

 Article Written by:  Andrew G.S.

 March 1, 2011
 Abortion
 It allows women to put an
On Average 43 end to their pregnancies,
Million Abortion’s are but involves killing the
performed each year undeveloped embryo or
worldwide fetus.
Reasons women choose abortions:
 Postpone childbearing 25.5%
 Cannot afford a baby 21.3%
 Relationship Issue or partner does not want a child 14.1%
 Too young (parents object to pregnancy) 12.2%
 Feels child would disrupt education or career 10.8%
 She has all the children she wants 7.9%
 Fetus has a health problem 3.3%
 Mother’s health is in jeopardy 2.8%
 She was a victim of rape or incest 1.2%
Statistics

 Of those having abortions 52% are younger than 25

and 19% are teenagers. Highest for those 18-19.
 88% of all abortions take place within the first trimester.
 Most women who choose abortions are under 25 and
unmarried.
 47% of abortions are performed on women who have
already had at least one or more abortions.
World Statistics

 61% of the world population (54 countries)

legalized abortion
 39% of the world population (97 countries)
abortions are illegal
 There are about 43 million abortions conducted
each year. 20 million are done illegally.
So, should Abortion be legalized?
Medical Abortions

oral medication up to
49 days after the last
period.
STEP 1

 Injection of Methotrexate or Mifepristone in

tablet form.
– METHOTREXATE- stops the pregnancy in the
uterus
– MIFEPRISTONE- (RU-486) blocks the hormone
progesterone which will cause the lining of the
uterus to break down
Surgical Abortions
Menstrual Regulation or Menstrual
Aspiration

 Done within first two weeks of missed period.

 During procedure the uterus is emptied using a
gentle suction of a syringe.
 Not widely available due to high risk of an
incomplete procedure.
Risks of this procedure

 Embryo is so small it can be missed

 If abortion is incomplete:
– Infection may occur
– Heavy bleeding
– Perforation of the uterus wall due to infection
Complications of Early Abortion

 Fewer than 5 out of 1,000 women suffer complications

from abortion.
 Allergic reactions to anesthetic or other medication
 Incomplete abortion
 Blood clots in Uterus
 Heavy bleeding requiring medical attention
 A cut or torn cervix
 Sometimes the Abortion can cause the woman when she
cannot become a mother in future.
Side Effects of Abortion

 Uterine cramping
 Bleeding
 Nausea
 Fatigue
So how is this related to TOK.
Religion

 In the Bible it is said that ‘Lev 24:17 “If anyone

takes the life of a human being, he must be put
to death.”
 In the Geeta(holy book of Hindus) it is said that
‘ Interfering with the creation of God is way to
Hell’.
Ethics

 Shouldn’t the women have the rights whether

she wants to have a baby or not.
 However isn’t it against the human rights.

 So, Is it moral or immoral when it comes to

Abortion?
What do you guys think?
Works Cited

 “Abortion”: Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion)

 “Effects of Abortion”: Wikipedia
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abortion_and_mental_health)
 “Abortions per Year”: (http://www.worldometers.info/abortions/)
 “Why is Religion against Abortion”:
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_and_abortion)
 “Ethics in Abortion”: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethical_aspects_of_abortion)