Abortion

The term abortion refers to a loss of a pregnancy that results in the death of the fetus or embryo.MedicineNet.com: Definition of Abortion An abortion that occurs naturally is usually referred to as a spontaneous abortion, or a miscarriage, while the word abortion generally refers to a medical procedure that is used to terminate a pregnancy.

On May 31, 2009, the U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder ordered the U.S. Marshals Service to provide protection to abortion clinics in the aftermath of the murder of George Tiller earlier the same day. Tiller was shot in the parking lot of his church on his way to services by Scott Roeder, who was later captured by authorities. Dr. Tiller was a physician who practiced late-term abortions.Fox News: Attorney General Directs U.S. Marshals to Protect Abortion Providers... (May 31, 2009)

On April 22, 2009, New Jersey congressman Chris Smith grilled Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on abortion issues in a hearing before the the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Smith prompted Clinton to confirm that the Obama administration considers abortion to be included under the definition of reproductive health.Catholic News Agency: Clinton: U.S. thinks abortion access is 'reproductive health' (April 22, 2009) He also took Clinton to task for receiving an award in the name of Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger, whom he called a racist.Boston Globe: Clinton questioned on abortion, torture (April 22, 2009)

An abortion is usually performed in the first trimester of pregnancy by a medical professional. There are two types of abortion: Medical abortion, which is done using drugs and surgical abortion, which involves a surgical procedure.Web MD: Abortion

The regulation of abortion had historically been a state, not federal, responsibility. During the mid to late 1800s, various states passed laws prohibiting abortion. Between the years of 1967 and 1973, some states began to repeal their criminal abortion laws. In 1973, the U.S Supreme Court ruling in Roe vs Wade overturned all state laws prohibiting abortion; states can still place some restrictions on abortion in certain circumstances.

President Barack Obama is a supporter of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that overturned state restrictions on abortion in the United States.Obama's Presidential Campaign 2008: Obama Statement on 35th Anniversary... On January 23, 2009, he issued an executive order that lifts the so-called "global gag rule" that had been imposed by the Bush administration. This order permits the United States to once again provide funding to international family planning organizations that provide information and access to abortions both within the United States and around the world.Reuters: Q+A: What is the Mexico City Policy or Global Gag Rule? (January 23, 2009)

The information on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor for more information on abortion.