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There are powerful arguments for and against abortion.

People with different beliefs may agree with many of these arguments.

Some of the arguments for abortion

• A woman has the right to choose whether or not she wants to have the baby. It is her body.
• In the case of rape, it would be lacking in compassion to deny a woman the right to an abortion.
• The woman might be too young to bring up a child, or she may have work or family commitments which make bringing up a child difficult or impossible.
• The pregnant woman's health and welfare are more important than that of the embryo or foetus.
• The embryo or foetus does not have the same rights as the mother.
• The quality of life of the unborn child or the woman's existing children could be adversely affected by the birth.
• Stopping legal abortions would mean a return to 'back street' abortions, causing a great deal of suffering to the health and wellbeing of the woman. Abortion could therefore be the lesser of two evils.

Some of the arguments against abortion

• Roman Catholics believe that life begins at conception and therefore abortion is morally wrong. Most Protestant churches in Britain also view abortion as a moral wrong, but concede that there are some limited conditions when it can be allowed.
• Every human being, including an embryo or foetus, has the right to live and to reach their potential.
• There are alternatives to abortion, eg adoption.
• The unborn child is denied choice.
• Abortion destroys human life and makes life appear cheap and disposable. This affects the quality and value of life.
• People born with disabilities can live full and happy lives.