Definitions of abortion vary from one source to another. Abortion has many definitions that can differ from each other in significant ways. Given the contentious nature of abortion, lawmakers and other stakeholders often face controversy in defining abortion.[1][2] Language referring to abortion often reflects societal and political opinions (not only scientific knowledge).[3] Influential non-state actors like the United Nations[4] and the Roman Catholic Church have also engendered controversy over efforts to define abortion.[5]
Late termination of pregnancy is the term usually used for later uterine evacuation.[6]
Ambiguous definitions can create concerns in the medical community.[7] Physicians in several countries, including Ireland[8][9] and Canada,[10] have expressed concern over ambiguous definitions of abortion. Even in situations where there is a clear definition of abortion, it does not always match definitions of related terms in effect in the same jurisdiction.[11]
The following is a partial list of definitions as stated by obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) textbooks, dictionaries, and encyclopedias:
Major OB/GYN textbooks
Other OB/GYN textbooks
Major medical dictionaries
Other medical dictionaries
Bibliographies
Major English dictionaries (general-purpose)
Other dictionaries
Encyclopedias
Philosophical essays
The definition of abortion is crucial to the efforts of the all-party Oireachtas committee, when it comes to make its recommendations, Dr Alistair McFar lane, a retired obstetrician and gynaecologist, told the hearing. No definition appeared in the Green Paper, he said, and the committee had heard a number of accounts from the various medical experts in the past week which differed as to whether or not the ending of pregnancy in certain procedures (carried out by all obstetricians on medical grounds) amounted to abortion.
The mere fact that a certain class of decisions is difficult cannot justify the absence of consistent supporting standards. Each state must compare the language of its statutes to determine whether the definitions of the parameters of life conflict. If these definitions conflict, as is the case with Missouri's Definition of Death and abortion regulation statutes, the state must amend the existing language to bring into concert the criteria defining these parameters. Each state should decide whether to accomplish this goal by changing its statute in which death is defined or by changing any other statute with conflicting criteria.
September 2009; online version September 2011
