Since 2003, 3,503 American soldiers have died fighting in the Iraq War (“Iraq Casualties”). Likewise, 3,562 American babies have died as a result of abortion, but that's since yesterday. This staggering statistic is painful to even try to comprehend, but it is all too true. Every year, 42 million unborn children are killed worldwide for many different reasons which most often point to the mother being extremely selfish or behaving foolishly (“Abortion Statistics”). This inhumane act has become a somewhat acceptable option to end an unintended pregnancy in today's society; however, such a despicable and morally reprehensible act as abortion should not be allowed anywhere, especially in a developed and civilized society like America. Abortion should not be legal because the side effects of abortion are traumatic and serious and can scar women physically and emotionally for life, abortion needlessly ends the lives of unborn children because life begins with the conception, and other options that do not entail negative consequences are readily available. trauma or loss of life. Background In 1970, a pregnant woman under the alias Jane Roe challenged the state of Texas for denying her an abortion under Texas law that abortions could only occur if the mother's life was at stake. This began the infamous Roe v. Wade. After much debate, the panel finally returned its verdict, saying that states cannot ban abortions in the first or second trimester and cannot ban abortions in the third trimester if having the baby would be "detrimental to the woman's health." ". Some of the situations that the court deemed “harmful” were: “the stigma of unwed motherhood,” “the distress associated with unwanted child,” and “the… medium of paper… dictionary. reference.com/browse/conception>."Fetal Development: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." National Library of Medicine - National Institute of Health. Network. March 06, 2011. "Children's Safe Haven Laws." Information portal on children's well-being. Network. March 18, 2011. Just Facts.com. Network. 06 March 2011. National right to life. Network. March 07, 2011. "Nine Reasons Abortions Are Legal | LIVESTRONG.COM." LIVESTRONG.COM - Lose weight and get fit with diet, nutrition and fitness tools. Network. 06 March 2011. .Torr, James D. Abortion: Opposing Views. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven, 2006. Print.