Keep in mind that abortion may always be possible in exceptional circumstances, such as when the mother's own life is in grave danger. So this question is really about "elective" abortion, just because the mother wants it without having to justify it to anyone.
For some people no cut-off point would be acceptable.
In theory, both an IUD and the morning after pill potentially cause "abortion" because they prevent an embryo (which may or may not even exist) from implanting. A purist would ban even these contraceptive measures. Others might view the embryo is hardly more than a ball of cells at this point.
Carl Sagan argued decades ago that the point at which an embryo becomes too human like (and should not be aborted thereafter) was about 10 weeks. This is also the point at which it becomes (officially) a "foetus". This is about when brainwaves become detectable, and the embryo/foetus takes on a truly human shape. This is still one of the few scientific-based arguments on the ethics of the cut-off date for abortions.
The current UK cut off for elective abortions is 24 weeks.
For some people no cut-off point would be acceptable.
In theory, both an IUD and the morning after pill potentially cause "abortion" because they prevent an embryo (which may or may not even exist) from implanting. A purist would ban even these contraceptive measures. Others might view the embryo is hardly more than a ball of cells at this point.
Carl Sagan argued decades ago that the point at which an embryo becomes too human like (and should not be aborted thereafter) was about 10 weeks. This is also the point at which it becomes (officially) a "foetus". This is about when brainwaves become detectable, and the embryo/foetus takes on a truly human shape. This is still one of the few scientific-based arguments on the ethics of the cut-off date for abortions.
The current UK cut off for elective abortions is 24 weeks.
