CRIM 332 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Therapeutic Abortion Committee, Henry Morgentaler, Therapeutic Abortion
8 Apr 2017
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Document Summary
How regulation of abortion changes over time. In 1969, the criminal elements of abortion was removed. Shift from criminal issue to medical issue. Shift from medical issue to rights (legal) issue. Engage in risky practices to terminate pregnancy (bc of criminalization) Not performed in medical clinics by trained professionals. Rights of fetus supersedes rights of mother. Prohibition of abortion covered all contexts, incl . Prior to 1969 abortion was completely illegal. Despite this, women still sought for abortions. Other sections that referred to abortion as illegal: know the right people, financial resources. It was an offense for : anyone to obtain an abortion for a female, a woman to look for an abortion. Illegal to advertise, sell, and distribute contraceptives. Max penalty of life sentence in prison. Other sections relevant to the context of abortion. ~5000-6000 women lost their lives from having illegal abortions. Trudeau"s liberal gov"t was in power at the time.
