Need Help Writing a Paper?

Have Paper Masters custom write your project today!

  • 24/7 Customer Support
  • Free Plagiarism Check
  • Writing at Your Level
  • Writers All Have Advanced Degrees
  • Will Follow Specific Instructions
Need Help Writing a Paper?
Yes! Write My Paper!

Fetal Viability

Fetal Viability

Fetal Viability research papers report that protection under the Fourteenth Amendment is not the only element that has been offered as a determining factor in the availability of legalized abortion. The issue of when a fetus can be considered a viable human being has also been entered in many cases that debate a pro-life verses pro-choice stance. In the Supreme Court Case of Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania vs. Carey, the Court determined that the State was compelled to intercede in cases involving the viable fetus but that the determination of viability is largely at the discretion of the physician. Only when a fetus is considered capable of survival outside of a woman's body may the State enforce abortion regulations. Unfortunately, the determination of viability is an inexplicit science.

The inexact measures of proving fetal viability were addressed in the case of Planned Parenthood of Central Missouri v. Danforth, which went before the U.S. Supreme Court.

  • The U.S. Supreme Court determine that an attending physician had the right to ascertain the viability of a fetus on an individual basis.
  • The Supreme Court rejected previously decided fetal conditions for that determination.
  • The Supreme Court voided a Pennsylvania statute mandating adherence to a standard of care if the fetus was, in fact, determined viable.

Although the definition of personhood varies among the different state and federal statutes, these laws coexist with current abortion laws by explicitly prohibiting the prosecution of a woman for the death of her fetus. The laws similarly prohibit prosecution of medical professionals providing legal abortions.

There are three standards used in the various state laws that define, for the purposes of prosecution, when a fetus may be considered a person in the eyes of the law.

The born-alive standard requires the fetus to survive outside of the womb in order for a person to be prosecuted for the death of the fetus. According to the viability standard of personhood, a person may be prosecuted for the death of a fetus if the fetus could survive outside the mother's womb. Fetuses are typically considered viable after the twenty-fourth week of pregnancy. The conception standard of personhood considers the fetus a "person" at any stage in development.

Of the three standards, the conception standard should be used in modern statues. As medical technology improves, the point at which a fetus can be described as being viable may change. Infants delivered prematurely have been known to survive even at twenty-two weeks gestation. As long as the statutes provide that the fetal-homicide law does not conflict with existing abortion law, the conception standard should be used in order to adequately protect the rights of the mother to carry the fetus to term.

Related Research Paper Topic Suggestions

Abortion and Murder - Abortion and Murder research papers discuss the Is Abortion Murder of religious fanatics insisting that the murder of abortion doctors is justified according to the Bible. Plagiarism free persuasion essays can be ordered on any abortion Is Abortion Murder.

Abortion and Politics - Abortion and Politics Research Papers contain an analysis of policies of anti-abortionists and prolifers.

Abortion Is Illegal - Abortion is Illegal research paper delves into an article by Howard Philips who takes a strong stand against the issue of abortion.

Abortion Pill - Abortion Pill term paper discusses the controversy behind RU-486, the famous abortion pill. Research paper guidelines are guaranteed to be followed to your exact specifications.

Examples of Affectations In The World - Examples of Affectations in the World Research Papers look at other imporatant women's issues that merge with the controversial topic of abortion.

Failed Abortions - Failed Abortions research papers discuss the statisics and risks of medical abortion failure.

Legalizing Abortion - Legalizing Abortion research papers discuss this critical issue in American politics from the state perspective and federal perspective.

Partialbirth Abortion - Partial-Birth Abortion research papers overview the different opinions on one of the most controversial abortion issues since Roe vs. Wade to reach the Supreme Court.

Prochoice - Pro-Choice research papers focus on the side of the abortion debate that favors a woman's right to choose. Agumentative research paper topics on any abortion issue from Paper Masters.

Prolife - Pro-Life research papers focus on the issues that conservative, right to life supporters hold. A research paper thesis is an important part of the research paper and research paper writing process.

Prolife Versus Prochoice - Pro-life versus Pro-choice research papers discuss a woman's right to choose an abortion versus the rights of the unborn child.

Psychological Perspectives On Abortion - Psychological Perspectives on Abortion Research Papers examine two different sides of this moral issue, pro-choice versus pro-life.

Public Policy and Abortion - Public Policy and Abortion research papers show that federal funding can not be obtained for abortions in the United States.

Reproduction Rights and Justice - Reproduction: Rights and Justice Research Papers look at reproductive rights and often discuss abortion as one of the rights of a woman.

Roe Vs. Wade - Roe vs. Wade research papers examine the Supreme Court case that ended the Pro-life verses Pro-choice debate in the 1970's.

Sociological Perspectives On Abortion - Sociological Perspectives on Abortion research papers look at a controversial topic with the different political stand points on the topic of abortion.

The Desire Account In Marquis - The "Desire Account" in Marquis Research Papers explain the "Desire Account" in Marquis. Sociology research papers are available at Paper Masters.


Paper Masters

  • Custom Written Papers
  • 100% Plagiarism Free
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • Guaranteed Confidentiality
  • Text us for a Quote Today!
    1-570-301-7456

This is a topic on
Fetal Viability Research Papers

Fetal Viability research papers discuss the abortion issue from the stance of when is a fetus determined to be viable.

Choosing a Topic:

Can't decide on a topic? Need ideas or inspiration for research in your field of study? Paper Masters provides topic suggestions to make your decision easier.

Paper Masters Site Search