What punishment if abortion is a crime?

Now that President Obama's speech has been received at Notre Dame University and the anti-abortion demonstrators have left the campus, it is time to reflect again upon one of the great chasms that divide people in this nation. The abortion debate or controversy brings both sides to claim government is far too influential in the decision of a woman to bring a fetus to full term birth. The anti-abortion group claims that government supports abortion, while the pro-abortion gang declares that government has no right to interfere in a woman's decision.

As confusing as these counter and conflicting arguments appear, they are nothing compared to the silence on a bit of government regulation that would need to be written should abortion be made illegal. In all the hubbub about the right and wrong of abortion, we have all kept silent about the punishment that legislators would place in the criminal code should the society declare abortion a crime. So, what punishment will fit the crime of abortion? Will the woman who finds a medical doctor to perform the procedure on her be tried in a court of law and sentenced to imprisonment? How will the perpetrators be found out? Will the police question witnesses and arrest the doctor who continues to perform the abortion procedure?

We can be certain that the crime will continue after the legislature adds abortion to the criminal code. What sentencing guidelines will be given to the judge and jury? Is there anyone willing to break their silence about the punishment?

Tom Teune

Wheaton