Jessica HernandezMrs. AkersAA Junior Italian03 March 2014Abortion, “the termination of a pregnancy before the fetus can live independently outside the mother”, (Brown par. 1) has been practiced since ancient times. With documents dating back to the “ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans” (History of Abortion par. 1) there is no doubt that abortion techniques have been used throughout the centuries as an effective form of birth control. Pregnancies were once terminated through a variety of methods, including the use of sharp instruments, herbs, manipulation and other techniques. (History of abortion par. 1) "Laws against abortion have existed for about two hundred years although they have varied from state to state" (Laws against abortion par. 1). In 1973, however, abortion was legalized following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade. In this court case, the Supreme Court held that “the word 'person,' as used in the Fourteenth Amendment, does not include the unborn child” (McCuen 106). The ruling created a fundamental right for a woman to choose to have an abortion, regardless...