Abortion - a matter of life and death

Sam - Hand of Hope

In the incredible photo above, unborn Samuel Armas holds onto a surgeon's finger during an operation to prevent Samuel developing severe brain damage. Samuel has spina bifida, which left part of his spinal cord exposed after the backbone failed to develop. The operation was designed to close the gap and protect the cord, the body's motorway for nerve signals to the brain.

In the United States, abortion is permitted at 21 weeks - Samuel's age. For the above photo in colour (warning - it's graphic) see photographer Michael Clancy's web site.