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  • Title: Abortion in a new light.
    Author: Jacobson JL.
    Journal: World Watch; 1990; 3(2):31-8. PubMed ID: 12342693.
    Abstract:
    The recent repeal of a ban on abortion in Romania and the action in the US to allow states to regulate abortion show trends in the global abortion debate. Factors that are illuminated by these trends include the undermining of recently codified reproductive rights, and the political deadlock in a struggle over the ideology and criminology of abortion procedures. This prevents energies from being directed to the complex social phenomenon of abortion, and delays actions that will improve the health and wellbeing of women and children worldwide. The 30 years trend in liberalization of abortion laws has increased access to birth control methods and made abortions safer. Illegal abortion is a worldwide public health problem since over 55 million undesired pregnancies end in abortion each year, and 1/2 of these are illegal. Laws have has little effect, as indicated in Romania where the rates of abortion and maternal mortality are higher than anywhere in Europe. The best way to reduce the number of abortions is to promote family planning and health programs by education couples on birth control and making the methods available to them. The pressures of pro-life groups have caused the US to limit funding of family planning efforts worldwide. Most countries in the world have passed abortion laws within their criminal codes; about 75% of the world's population live in countries that allow abortion. The longterm solution to the abortion issue would include removal of abortion from the criminal code, mobilizing support for family planning programs, and providing funds for research on contraceptives.
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