The Big Abortion Debate By: Haley King

This year at MGA, abortion is predicted to be a hot debate topic due to bills regarding the matter ready to be questioned upon. Merriam-Webster  Dictionary defines abortion as, “the termination of a pregnancy after, accompanied by, resulting in, or closely followed by the death of the embryo or fetus.” This definition describes the process by which one would go through, following the decision to abort their fetus, but that as it may, it does not disclose the abounding amount of controversy which follows.

Proponents, ones who are pro-choice, argue that the decision to abort their child is a women’s right and should not be influenced by the government’s opinion. They believe that if a woman does not have the option to legally and safely abort her baby she may resort to unsafe ways of doing so.

Opponents, ones who are pro-life, argue that human life starts at fertilization, thence going through with an abortion is the killing of an innocent human being. They conclude that abortions inflict torture upon an unborn child, furthermore they believe it is unfair to support abortion when other couples who are unable to have their own children are awaiting adoption.

This year at MGA, there are two bills regarding abortion awaiting to be discussed. The students of Appomattox High School are presenting Commonwealth Senate Bill No.15, which essentially introduces the change that a minor over the age of consent may act as their own advocate. Kenston Forest students are also presenting Commonwealth Senate Bill No.12, which suggests to move the late term abortion date from 24 weeks to 20 weeks. Jaxon Lamb from Northside YMCA stated on behalf of SB15:

“ I am in favor for this bill because I think that, as it was stated in the committee tonight, there is an undue burden with the strict scrutiny that if you’re legally allowed to consent to having sexual activities, that you cannot have an abortion. We’re not thinking about this in the sense of “I want to consent, I want to have unprotected sex” but we’re thinking about it in a sense of everybody’s circumstances. There are people who are abused and are not allowed to have abortions because their abuser is their parent. There are people who do not have a relationship with their guardian or may not even have a guardian , but because they are not 18 they cannot have an abortion. So, I think for the Commonwealth, for our citizens, and for the nation, we have to keep in mind what everybody’s situation is, and what’s gonna be best for everyone and not just adults.”