A3. Abortion is one of those issues which polarises opinion. It is something which many people have strong feelings for or against and in some cases; this has resulted in protest and violence.
The arguments are based whether the foetus is considered ‘a person’. If it is then it is an innocent being which has the right to life. The crucial point here is at what point in its development does it become a human being?
On the other hand there are arguments for the rights of the mother which includes the right to decide what happens with her body. If she is at serious risk to her health then her needs are placed above those of the foetus.
There are people on both sides of the divide who do concede that abortion may be permissible if the mother or foetus’s life is in danger.
Find out more in our abortion debate section.