A lot of great points are being raised, so i must tip my hat to everyone for keeping this discussion as civilized and stimulating as it has been. We've all been really polite to each other, and also very respectful. It's good to know people can approach such a difficult thing with clarity.

yeah abortion has a lot of baggage, and the end result is not always one that can be resolved. while not always necessary in a "life or death" sorta way, it may be considered necessary when considering the social aspects of one's life. the piece of mind that comes with having control over your life is something i think all of us appreciate, and would agree that it is invaluable. i was trying to sway before that it's not always the woman's choice to get pregnant, and that's why reproductive choice is so important, to me anyways. Why that control comes at the expense of a fetus, i, to be honest, do not know. I don''t know why our society has shaped itself where reproductive freedom is linked to personal freedom, but it has nonetheless.

you raise great points about the failures of society in serving these women, and i agree with you. But this administration is not known for it's forward thinking and acceptance of science. Bush, as well as a good number of Christian sects will not allow themselves to realize that people are sexual, and as such, will have sex, even though it carries a lot of risk. abstinence only policies, cuts in medicaid, lack of promotion of adoption services, and a general "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" approach are what exist in this country right now, and are simply not effective, and i don't think Bush or Christian leaders will change their policies anytime soon.

Mifepristone (RU-486) is used for medical abortion now, and is quite safe, but is only typically used within the first 8 weeks. after that, surgical abortion (Dilation and Curretage) are the preferred method.

On a happy note, the morning after pill has just been made available in New york state, but is "under the counter" and not "over" which means you have to ask the pharmacist, and they'll get it for you

I was not aware of the risks of cervical cancer and IUD's (i thought it was ovarian cancer), though I do know that they were not used in America for a long time because of increased rates infection. While that risk has been decreased with newer models, it is still associated with mildly increased risk, so the IUD is typically reserved for people in monogmous relationships to help minimize pelvic inflammatory disease, and is not typically offered to single, young women with multiple partners (but it is very effective)

When i mentioned autonomy a while back i meant it in a medical ethics context, where the patient, if they are not a minor, makes health care decision on their own. I wasn't referring to the "autonomy" in a general, philosophical context. this autonomy is debatable.

I'm not sure i get the comment about slavery.