Positive trends on abortion

Thirty-nine years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court wiped from the books of all 50 states every law protecting the unborn child. In concurrent decisions, Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, the Supreme Court created a constitutional right to abortion on demand and initiated a reign of terror against unborn children that has resulted in the deaths of close to 55 million babies.
But this sad anniversary also brings with it cause for great hope because we are winning this battle. More than 60 percent of Americans in a recent Gallup poll believe abortion should be illegal in most circumstances, a six-year high. Additionally, 51 percent of U.S. adults say abortion is morally wrong.

In Missouri as well, there’s cause for hope. The 9,796 abortions performed on Missouri women in 2010, the latest numbers available, represents a 9.4 percent reduction from the previous year — less than half of the all-time high of 21,671 in 1980.

Legislation supporting alternatives to abortion, increasing clinic regulations and requiring that women receive more information about the life of their unborn child and the dangers of abortion have saved thousands of lives. Missouri Right to Life will continue working to save lives through the legislative process.

Pam Fichter
President, Missouri Right to Life