Written By: Falakdipti The word ‘abortion’ derives from Latin words ab, which means ‘away’ and orior which means ‘to grow’. Hence, the term refers to the expulsion of the foetus from the mother’s womb before it reaches the stage of subsistence. [1] The word first emerged in the English language in the 16 th century and was used to define both intentional and unintentional miscarriages. However, in the 19 th century, the word got associated solely with intentionally induced termination of pregnancy. [2] To what extent abortion should be permitted has always been a subject of debate on ethical, moral, medical, social and religious grounds. According to Scribonius Largus and Soranus, the Hippocratic oath forbade physicians from performing abortions. [3] However, it was in 1588 when abortion was declared an act of homicide by Pope Sixtus V and was hence banned. Ever since then the topic of abortion has become more controversial. It was in 1920 when the Soviet Union became the fi...