On the other side are the pro-life advocates, who oppose abortion in every way, shape, and form (McGee 5). Pro-choice defenders believe that the fetus is only a potential human being until it is viable, which usually occurs starting at the 24th week of pregnancy. Until this time the fetus has no legal rights, instead all rights belong to the woman carrying the fetus, who can decide whether or not to have the child. On the other hand, pro-life supporters believe that the fetus is a human being from the time of conception and holds all legal rights to itself (McGee 5). The argument between these two support groups has created an enormous controversy throughout the U.S. and has grown dramatically since partial abortion was banned in over 30 states (Wagner 1).
III. Many people of the U.S. population are pro-life supporters and believe that it is necessary to ban partial abortion in order to protect the legal rights of the fetus and save a human life. Pro-life defenders will argue that a fetus is a human being from the time of conception and if aborted at any time during the pregnancy it should be seen as a murder. Pro-life supporters believe that no exception to the ban on partial abortion should be made even in a case of rape, incest, or if the pregnancy could threaten a woman's life. On the other hand pro-choice supporters believe that a fetus is not a human being until viability. Viability means the point in time at which a fetus could survive outside the womb; this occurs at the 24th week of pregnancy or six months. This is also the period of time at which partial abortion is practiced, but it should always be left as an option for women in cases of rape, incest, and if the pregnancy threatens the life of the mother. Would you want a daily reminder of a horrible experience that you had to undergo during a rape or an act of incest? In addition, wouldn't you want the option of partial abortion if your life is endangered or if the fetus has serious abnormalities? It is a known fact that since abortion was legalized in the U.
