About This Research
Since the 1960s the abortion debate in America has been split between science, technology, philosophy, politics and the federal courts. Science and technology have produced revolutionary advances in neonatology, embryology, fertility, prenatal care, and revolutionized the process of an abortion procedure. Today the majority of all abortions are conducted through a chemical process triggered by two different pills that can be secured online, by mail, or by other means, some of which are regulated and others that are not.
Facts in Real Time from the States
It would seem that a good first step in developing abortion policy at the state and congressional level would be to start with a thorough review of the facts about abortion in real time and in real lives. Since most people have not had a reason or necessity to study these facts for over 50 years, this research is designed to provide a basic grid of information that will help “we the people” catch up on the vital details that attend this debate.
The Question of Justice for All
There is another element in the abortion debate that has attended this issue across the centuries. It is the question of meaning regarding the “right to life.” If this is a transcendent right, given to humans by the Creator, is that right solely singular in practice?
For example, an expectant mother certainly has the right to life, but does the developing child within her have any right to protection at all? For thousands of years, human societies have recognized the need to provide legal protection to an unborn child in the womb. American law today protects an unborn child from intentional abuse and penalizes the taking of such a life by murder, vehicular homicide and other circumstances. This raises the question: Does an unborn child in the womb have rights some of the time but not all of the time? Do those rights expand during the stages of fetal development? Does a fully viable child in the womb have any portion of the right to life?
Abortion Policy and the Broader Cultural Questions
This study includes a discussion of several of the micro and macro questions as to how abortion policy is likely to influence the future life of the nation. The question is raised as to how abortion policy may have an impact on the issue of protecting the human rights of all.
The Question of "Bias" on the Issue of Abortion
As an organization the American Policy Roundtable™ is committed to the first principle that all human life is a sacred gift and should be protected in the construct of the rule of law. We recognize that there are circumstances where the procedure of abortion is legally used to save the life and physical health of an expectant mother. We also realize there are rare fetal anomalies that result in fatal consequences for a pregnancy. And we respect the right of every person to protect their conscience as well as their freedom of religion and speech on these challenging questions.
Most Americans have not been required to think seriously about abortion in public policy since 1973. Thinking about these questions, every day, is a part of the mission of the Roundtable. This work is a brief look into some of the research that is currently on our table for discussion. We invite all Americans, regardless of where they currently stand on this issue, to review the data submitted here for consideration and to visit life.aproundtable.org for an extended version of this research and conversation.