The Supreme Court upheld the nation wide ban on partial birth abortions today with a 5-4 decision. This marks the first prohibition on a specific type of abortion since the Roe decision in 1973, which legalized abortions as a woman's right to choose nationwide.
The liberal justices dissented, stating that the ban goes against abortion rights, especially since the partial birth abortion occurs in the second trimester (done after the 16th week [abortionrights.com]). Roe states that abortions are permitted until the 28th week, when babies are said to be able to live outside the womb.
The majority ruled that the prohibition does not violate a woman's right to choose.
"The 5-4 decision written by Justice Anthony Kennedy said the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act that Congress passed and President Bush signed into law in 2003 does not violate a woman's constitutional right to an abortion."
Though this may have opened the door to potential controversy, and more attacks on Roe, I'm glad that this particular form of abortion has been banned. After reading up on the procedure, it appears to be a very gruesome and inhumane. The baby, very much formed at 12 weeks, is essentially poisoned with a salt concentration/solution, and a day later the mother delivers a dead baby pulling it feet first and stabbing it in the skull.
If a woman is contemplating abortion, they should do so before the baby is so developed. I personally to not believe in abortion, but if it is to be done, it should occur within a period of time where the baby is not developed enough to experience great pain such as being poisoned. In the end, I agree with the ban...and if I had it my way, abortions would not be allowed. If any changes to the decision of Roe were to be made, the period of time when abortions are permissible should be earlier in the development of the unborn fetus.
click link to watch a msnbc.com video explaining today's ruling:
http://video.msn.com/v/us/msnbc.htm?g=2b28a88d-29a5-4627-a25b-63569ad19fe9&f=00&fg=copy
click for full article from msnbc.com
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