Final answer:
A spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage, occurs naturally and without medical intervention, while elective or therapeutic abortions are intentionally performed and can only be legally done by medical professionals. The statement in question is false because it incorrectly defines spontaneous abortion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that a spontaneous abortion can be elective or therapeutic and is induced by medical personnel within the law is false. A spontaneous abortion, typically known as a miscarriage, occurs without medical intervention and is due to natural causes such as genetic abnormalities or maternal health issues. Elective and therapeutic abortions, however, are procured intentionally, either for personal reasons (elective abortion) or to preserve the health or life of the pregnant person (therapeutic abortion). These types of abortions are indeed performed by medical personnel operating within the bounds of the law, where such procedures are legal.
Laws regulating abortion vary by state and country, and they often consider the fetus's viability as a criterion for whether the procedure can be legally performed. Some historical contexts have seen abortions performed illegally and unsafely prior to legalized frameworks, such as the decision in Roe v. Wade and the subsequent Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Therefore, it's essential to distinguish between spontaneous abortions (miscarriages) and induced abortions when discussing legality and medical practice.