Final answer:
The claim that abortion is a purely modern debate is false, as historical evidence shows that the issue has been discussed in various contexts throughout ancient and medieval times, not only using infanticide but also different abortifacient methods and laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The assertion that abortion is exclusively a modern topic of debate and that infanticide was the primary method of dealing with unwanted pregnancies in ancient or medieval times is false. The topic has been a subject of debate for centuries, with various perspectives existing across different cultures and historical periods. Political, legal, and moral aspects of abortion have been considered long before the modern era.
While it is true that public debate over abortion has become more visible in recent times, particularly after the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, the issue itself has a much longer history. In ancient and medieval societies, different methods, including abortifacients, were used to terminate pregnancies, and these practices were subject to various levels of acceptance or condemnation.
Throughout history, the morality and legality of abortion have been influenced by cultural, religious, and societal norms. For instance, while some societies practiced infanticide as a form of population control, others had philosophies and laws that governed the permissibility of abortion. The perspectives on when and whether abortion was acceptable varied, and even in ancient texts and laws, we can find discussions regarding the termination of pregnancies.