Abortion is the deliberate termination of pregnancy resulting in the intended death of the fetus. Abortifacient drugs that induce miscarriage were known to many ancient cultures, but due to the danger of abortion to the pregnant woman, prior to modern times mechanical methods of intentionally terminating a pregnancy were relatively uncommon. Only in the late Roman Republic and early Roman Empire was abortion widespread. Most other cultures were governed by law codes appointing severe retribution
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