In the United States and in some other countries, abortion is one of the most divisive moral and political issues. Developments in abortion techniques, such as medical abortion and intact dilation and evacuation ("partial-birth" abortion), have prompted responses in law, policy, and ethical scholarship, which in turn have influenced abortion technology and provision. The emphasis here will be on the definition of abortion, abortion techniques, ethical issues, and law and public policy, focusing primarily on the United States.

Abortion Definition and Techniques

Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy and the expulsion of pregnancy tissue, including embryo/fetus, placenta, and membranes. In principle, pregnancy begins with conception (in vivo fertilization of an ovum by a spermatozoon). The earliest that a pregnancy can be clinically recognized, however, is when a serum pregnancy test becomes positive (approximately one week to ten days after ovulation). In a spontaneous abortion, also called...