Hoje partilho a versão em inglês de um texto que escrevi em 2007, durante a discussão acerca da liberalização do aborto em Portugal até às 10 semanas de gestação, por vontade da mulher. Dirigido à população em geral, sintetiza dez argumentos que podem ser invocados em defesa da vida humana desde a conceção.
1. ABORTION IS ANTI-LIFE
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that “Everyone has the right to life” (article 3). The Constitution of the Portuguese Republic declares, as well, that “human life is inviolable” (article 24).
According to science, human life begins with fertilization, the fusion of sperm and oocyte. Each of the sexual cells carries half the genetic information from the ancestor, so that the cell resulting from fertilization, called zygote, receives all the genetic information needed for the development of the new human being.
Induced abortion, regardless of when it is done, always causes the destruction of a human life, to whom continued development is denied, preventing their birth and the expression of their potential as a child and adult.
Thus, any referendum or decree that legitimizes the death of a defenseless human being without any medical justification, is a clear attack on human life, and violates the Portuguese Constitution as well as the human being basic rights, as expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
2. ABORTION IS ANTI-WOMAN
Whatever the reasons that cause it any abortion, even when legal, is an assault on the woman's physical, mental and emotional health. Nowadays it is known that any woman who aborts voluntarily, even in the best medically assisted conditions, has an increased risk of injury to the reproductive system, infertility, posterior spontaneous abortions, premature babies in later pregnancies, and other problems. More difficult to quantify, but no less important, are the consequences for her mental health, namely depression, feelings of guilt and/or loss, drug abuse and even suicide. The Comission of Inquiry into the Operation and Consequences of the Abortion Act drew attention in 1994 to one of the consequences of liberalized abortion in the UK: “Although the majority of abortions are carried out on the grounds of danger to the mother’s mental health, there is no psychiatric justification for abortion (…). To perform abortions on this ground (…) also puts women at risk of suffering a psychiatric disturbance, without alleviating any psychiatric problems that already exist”.
Moreover, the liberalization of abortion, instead of valuing the wishes of the child’s mother, can expose her to pressures from relatives, the child's father, employers, or even healthcare professionals (for example because of an alleged risk of malformations in the embryo or fetus, which many times are not confirmed later) to interrupt the pregnancy, even against her will.
3. ABORTION IS ANTI-MAN
Abortion cannot be reduced to an act that only involves the woman. There are at least two other fundamental elements in the whole process: the child's father and, obviously, the unborn baby.
If we consider only the woman’s desire to continue, or not, with the pregnancy, the man is pushed into the background and his wishes are completely ignored, yet he is co-responsible for the conception. In this way his role in the process of procreation is devalued. Despite the fact that sometimes man does not assume his responsibility in the family, through the allowance of abortion-on-demand, the child’s father’s duties are completely discarded.
Nowadays it is known that men can also suffer from post-abortion depression, especially when such an act is carried through without their awareness and permission.
4. ABORTION IS ANTI-CHILD
In the famous Hippocratic Oath (4th century B.C.), which doctors have sworn to obey throughout the centuries, it is clearly stated: “I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy” Thus, we vehemently condemn the idea that “women have the right to their bodies”, if that supposed right collides with principles that we consider absolutes, such as the right to life of the unborn child who already has a unique genetic identity, distinct from his/her parents.
In countries where abortion is no longer condemned by law, human beings are exposed to a higher risk of violent death in the first nine months of their existence than in any other period of their lives. The womb, which should be the supreme place of protection for human life has become tragically, in the last decades, one of the most dangerous. Moreover it is known that when children find out that their mother have had an abortion in another pregnancy, may develop problems that require psychological or psychiatric support.
5. ABORTION IS ANTI-FAMILY
Children are an integrant and meaningful part of the family, which is one of the basic structures of societies. The emphasis that is given to the woman’s autonomy over her pregnancy harms marital and family relationships. Actually, more than 80% of induced abortions are the consequence of extramarital affairs.
It is also known that a significant percentage of unplanned pregnancies and even unwanted ones, when not interrupted, lead to the birth of children who end up being extremely appreciated and loved by their parents.
On the other hand, preventing the birth of children through abortion contributes to the serious demographic problem resulting from the dramatic reduction of the birth rate in many western countries. This is happening in Portugal now and will bring harmful economic and social consequences.
6. ABORTION IS ANTI-CONSCIENCE
It is an unquestionable fact that, due to the influence of Christianity, throughout the history of humankind abortion has been considered a crime, subject to penalties. However, in the last decades we have witnessed a trend of undervaluing human life.
On a personal level, the feelings of guilt that an induced abortion causes in the woman who aborts, as well as in the person who performs it are undeniable. Such fact is due to the human conscience that every human being has, which helps them make moral decisions. There is a French proverb that says: "There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience”.
7. ABORTION IS ANTI-HUMAN DIGNITY
The Judeo-Christian moral tradition has always been concerned with protecting those who are weaker and more vulnerable, as is the case of children, orphans, the elderly and widows. Abortion is never a dignifying solution for those who perform it, the woman who submits herself to it, and least of all for the innocent child.
We agree with the opinion report from the Portuguese National Committee of Ethics for Life Sciences (1996) about embryo experimentation which says that “Human life deserves respect, whatever its stage or phase, due to its essential dignity”.
It is also an unquestionable fact that the number of abortions increased, sometimes exponentially, in all the countries where abortion is no longer condemned by law.
8. ABORTION IS ANTI-“RIGHT TO BE DIFFERENT”
In many western countries, the liberalization of induced abortion has hindered the birth of children with chromosome anomalies, of which trissomy 21 (Down’s syndrome) is the most frequent, as well as with congenital malformations perfectly compatible with life, and many of them with possible post-birth surgery correction, such as cleft lip or clubfoot. More serious and even more complex situations, such as certain cardiac malformations can be treated surgically as well, sometimes even before birth.
The abortion of these children contributes to the depreciation and discrimination of people who have sensorial, motor and/or cognitive disabilities, who despite their limitations live adjusted and fulfilling lives.
9. ABORTION IS “ANTI-ETHICS”
Abortion, infanticide, suicide and even euthanasia were relatively common and socially accepted in the Greco-Roman ancient world. Induced abortion often caused the death of the mother. In the 4th century B.C. Hippocrates of Cos, with his Oath, imposed a break with the culture of death which prevailed in those days. Later, due to the influence of Christianity on the Law, abortion came to be considered a crime in the western world. From then on the ethical rule, throughout the centuries, has been to defend human life from conception on. Thus induced abortion is against ethics, because it collides with the basic principle of the inviolability of human life.
In the extremely rare cases in which the continuation of pregnancy puts the mother's life at risk and abortion is the only way to save her, the previous Portuguese law already made allowances.
10. ABORTION IS ANTI-GOD
Besides all the previously mentioned reasons, we consider abortion to be a clear violation of God's will, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. The fifth commandment precisely declares: "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13).
In the Bible we find the unequivocal revelation that God values human life from conception on and that He is involved in the procreative process, as we read in the following text, written by King David:
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:13-16 NIV)
1. ABORTION IS ANTI-LIFE
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms that “Everyone has the right to life” (article 3). The Constitution of the Portuguese Republic declares, as well, that “human life is inviolable” (article 24).
According to science, human life begins with fertilization, the fusion of sperm and oocyte. Each of the sexual cells carries half the genetic information from the ancestor, so that the cell resulting from fertilization, called zygote, receives all the genetic information needed for the development of the new human being.
Induced abortion, regardless of when it is done, always causes the destruction of a human life, to whom continued development is denied, preventing their birth and the expression of their potential as a child and adult.
Thus, any referendum or decree that legitimizes the death of a defenseless human being without any medical justification, is a clear attack on human life, and violates the Portuguese Constitution as well as the human being basic rights, as expressed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
2. ABORTION IS ANTI-WOMAN
Whatever the reasons that cause it any abortion, even when legal, is an assault on the woman's physical, mental and emotional health. Nowadays it is known that any woman who aborts voluntarily, even in the best medically assisted conditions, has an increased risk of injury to the reproductive system, infertility, posterior spontaneous abortions, premature babies in later pregnancies, and other problems. More difficult to quantify, but no less important, are the consequences for her mental health, namely depression, feelings of guilt and/or loss, drug abuse and even suicide. The Comission of Inquiry into the Operation and Consequences of the Abortion Act drew attention in 1994 to one of the consequences of liberalized abortion in the UK: “Although the majority of abortions are carried out on the grounds of danger to the mother’s mental health, there is no psychiatric justification for abortion (…). To perform abortions on this ground (…) also puts women at risk of suffering a psychiatric disturbance, without alleviating any psychiatric problems that already exist”.
Moreover, the liberalization of abortion, instead of valuing the wishes of the child’s mother, can expose her to pressures from relatives, the child's father, employers, or even healthcare professionals (for example because of an alleged risk of malformations in the embryo or fetus, which many times are not confirmed later) to interrupt the pregnancy, even against her will.
3. ABORTION IS ANTI-MAN
Abortion cannot be reduced to an act that only involves the woman. There are at least two other fundamental elements in the whole process: the child's father and, obviously, the unborn baby.
If we consider only the woman’s desire to continue, or not, with the pregnancy, the man is pushed into the background and his wishes are completely ignored, yet he is co-responsible for the conception. In this way his role in the process of procreation is devalued. Despite the fact that sometimes man does not assume his responsibility in the family, through the allowance of abortion-on-demand, the child’s father’s duties are completely discarded.
Nowadays it is known that men can also suffer from post-abortion depression, especially when such an act is carried through without their awareness and permission.
4. ABORTION IS ANTI-CHILD
In the famous Hippocratic Oath (4th century B.C.), which doctors have sworn to obey throughout the centuries, it is clearly stated: “I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy” Thus, we vehemently condemn the idea that “women have the right to their bodies”, if that supposed right collides with principles that we consider absolutes, such as the right to life of the unborn child who already has a unique genetic identity, distinct from his/her parents.
In countries where abortion is no longer condemned by law, human beings are exposed to a higher risk of violent death in the first nine months of their existence than in any other period of their lives. The womb, which should be the supreme place of protection for human life has become tragically, in the last decades, one of the most dangerous. Moreover it is known that when children find out that their mother have had an abortion in another pregnancy, may develop problems that require psychological or psychiatric support.
5. ABORTION IS ANTI-FAMILY
Children are an integrant and meaningful part of the family, which is one of the basic structures of societies. The emphasis that is given to the woman’s autonomy over her pregnancy harms marital and family relationships. Actually, more than 80% of induced abortions are the consequence of extramarital affairs.
It is also known that a significant percentage of unplanned pregnancies and even unwanted ones, when not interrupted, lead to the birth of children who end up being extremely appreciated and loved by their parents.
On the other hand, preventing the birth of children through abortion contributes to the serious demographic problem resulting from the dramatic reduction of the birth rate in many western countries. This is happening in Portugal now and will bring harmful economic and social consequences.
6. ABORTION IS ANTI-CONSCIENCE
It is an unquestionable fact that, due to the influence of Christianity, throughout the history of humankind abortion has been considered a crime, subject to penalties. However, in the last decades we have witnessed a trend of undervaluing human life.
On a personal level, the feelings of guilt that an induced abortion causes in the woman who aborts, as well as in the person who performs it are undeniable. Such fact is due to the human conscience that every human being has, which helps them make moral decisions. There is a French proverb that says: "There is no pillow so soft as a clear conscience”.
7. ABORTION IS ANTI-HUMAN DIGNITY
The Judeo-Christian moral tradition has always been concerned with protecting those who are weaker and more vulnerable, as is the case of children, orphans, the elderly and widows. Abortion is never a dignifying solution for those who perform it, the woman who submits herself to it, and least of all for the innocent child.
We agree with the opinion report from the Portuguese National Committee of Ethics for Life Sciences (1996) about embryo experimentation which says that “Human life deserves respect, whatever its stage or phase, due to its essential dignity”.
It is also an unquestionable fact that the number of abortions increased, sometimes exponentially, in all the countries where abortion is no longer condemned by law.
8. ABORTION IS ANTI-“RIGHT TO BE DIFFERENT”
In many western countries, the liberalization of induced abortion has hindered the birth of children with chromosome anomalies, of which trissomy 21 (Down’s syndrome) is the most frequent, as well as with congenital malformations perfectly compatible with life, and many of them with possible post-birth surgery correction, such as cleft lip or clubfoot. More serious and even more complex situations, such as certain cardiac malformations can be treated surgically as well, sometimes even before birth.
The abortion of these children contributes to the depreciation and discrimination of people who have sensorial, motor and/or cognitive disabilities, who despite their limitations live adjusted and fulfilling lives.
9. ABORTION IS “ANTI-ETHICS”
Abortion, infanticide, suicide and even euthanasia were relatively common and socially accepted in the Greco-Roman ancient world. Induced abortion often caused the death of the mother. In the 4th century B.C. Hippocrates of Cos, with his Oath, imposed a break with the culture of death which prevailed in those days. Later, due to the influence of Christianity on the Law, abortion came to be considered a crime in the western world. From then on the ethical rule, throughout the centuries, has been to defend human life from conception on. Thus induced abortion is against ethics, because it collides with the basic principle of the inviolability of human life.
In the extremely rare cases in which the continuation of pregnancy puts the mother's life at risk and abortion is the only way to save her, the previous Portuguese law already made allowances.
10. ABORTION IS ANTI-GOD
Besides all the previously mentioned reasons, we consider abortion to be a clear violation of God's will, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures. The fifth commandment precisely declares: "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13).
In the Bible we find the unequivocal revelation that God values human life from conception on and that He is involved in the procreative process, as we read in the following text, written by King David:
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” (Psalm 139:13-16 NIV)
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