Final answer:
The age of viability is the youngest age at which a fetus can potentially survive outside the womb, generally around 23 to 26 weeks of gestation. This concept is also important within legal contexts, impacting abortion regulations following key Supreme Court decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The age of viability refers to the youngest age at which a fetus is capable of sustaining life on its own, outside the uterus. Viability of the fetus is a critical point in fetal development and is often associated with 23 to 26 weeks of gestation. Babies born at 23 weeks have a survival chance of approximately 20 to 35 percent and require intensive medical care. This likelihood increases significantly for babies born at 26 weeks, where more than 90 percent survive with essential medical intervention.
In relation to legal aspects concerning abortion, viability serves as a critical parameter. The Supreme Court's landmark decision in Roe v. Wade considered fetal viability in its framework for abortion regulations, and subsequent rulings continued to emphasize the importance of the fetus's ability to survive outside the womb when considering abortion cases.