Part one of term paper
Abortion, termination of pregnancy before the fetus is capable of independent life. When the expulsion from the womb occurs after the fetus becomes viable (capable of independent life), usually at the end of six months of pregnancy, it is technically a premature birth. The practice of abortion was widespread in ancient times as a metho ...

Part two of term paper
... time unsafe, commonly stipulating a threat to the woman's life as the sole (“therapeutic”) exception to the prohibition. Occasionally the exception was enlarged to include danger to the mother's health as well. Legislative action in the 20th century has been aimed at permitting the termination of unwanted pregnancies for medical, social, or private reasons. Abortions at the woman's request were first allowed by the Soviet Union in 1920, followed by Japan and several East European nations afte ...