May 15, 2007

Abstract: (Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Two-thirds of adults in the United States reject a particular form of pregnancy termination, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN. 66 per cent of respondents believe the government should make partial birth abortion illegal.

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Two-thirds of adults in the United States reject a particular form of pregnancy termination, according to a poll by Opinion Research Corporation released by CNN. 66 per cent of respondents believe the government should make partial birth abortion illegal.

Last month, a Supreme Court ruling effectively banned partial birth abortion—a procedure performed in the late-term of pregnancy when the fetus can survive outside the womb—without making an exception for the health of the mother.

U.S. president George W. Bush discussed the court's decision, saying, "I am pleased that the Supreme Court upheld a law that prohibits the abhorrent procedure of partial birth abortion. (...) The Supreme Court's decision is an affirmation of the progress we have made over the past six years in protecting human dignity and upholding the sanctity of life. We will continue to work for the day when every child is welcomed in life and protected in law."

House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi disagreed with the court, declaring, "I am disappointed. Criminalizing doctors for performing medically necessary procedures to save a woman's life or protect her health is wrong. The court's decision is a significant step backwards."

A Supreme Court ruling in 1973 gave American women the right to an abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy, and regulated the procedure during the second trimester "in ways that are reasonably related to maternal health." In the third trimester, a state can choose to proscribe abortion, except when necessary "for the preservation of the life or health of the mother."

Polling Data

Now I would like to ask your opinion about a specific abortion procedure known as a "late term" abortion or "partial birth" abortion, which is sometimes performed on women during the last few months of pregnancy. Do you think that the government should make this procedure illegal, or do you think that the procedure should be legal?

Government should make this procedure illegal	66%
This procedure should be legal	28%
No opinion	5%

Source: Opinion Research Corporation / CNN
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,028 American adults, conducted from May 4 to May 6, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.