Abortion and Contraception

Ute L. McNab was with the Women's Studies Program at the University of Waterloo.

Dr. Henry Morgentaler, the well-known Canadian physician who is known for his persistent attempt to urge the Canadian Government to repeal its restrictive abortion laws, makes the attempt in this book to educate the public about contraception and abortion. The work is “destined primarily for women who one day might need an abortion, but also for any person, male or female, concerned with or interested in one of the most controversial ethical issues of this century” (p. xiii). Morgentaler believes that men and women have “the right to control procreation and to decide whether a pregnancy is to be carried to term or not” (p. xiii). When women do choose the option of abortion, they should have the right to have one under the best medical conditions, without delay or difficulty, and without being shamed. Morgentaler attempts to present us with relevant information regarding abortion in order to counter the “reactionary” Canadian and American forces that seek to prohibit safe abortions and leave women no alternative but to seek illegal or self-induced abortions at great risk to themselves. Consequently, Morgentaler established his abortion clinics in 1968 and, using the vacuum suction technique, he began to give women abortion on demand during their first trimester of pregnancy.

The book discusses all aspects of conception; fetal development; the practical, legal, religious, and moral questions of abortion; the psychological and medical reasons for abortion; the various methods used to perform abortion; and the consequences of illegal abortions. Morgentaler compares the laws affecting abortion in France, Canada, and the United States and seeks the liberalization of abortion laws in Canada. Morgentaler concludes the book with an up-to-date chapter on contraception. The appendix contains an excerpt from the Canadian Abortion Law and a glossary of medical terms.

The book is precise and well written and does give every woman and man the opportunity to make an intelligent decision about the abortion issue. It is unlikely, however, that many women would consult this book (or any other work) prior to making their decision about abortion. Abortion and Contraception is an attempt by Morgentaler to make his political and moral statement about abortion and express his belief that the abortion laws need to be repealed in Canada.