The issue of abortion is a controversial one. The rights of women come into conflict with the supposed rights of the fetus to life. Opponents of abortion denounce abortion as murder, the taking of human life. On the other hand, forcing women to go through an unwanted pregnancy can create great suffering, misery and unhappiness for the women and their families. Utilitarianism is an ethical frame-work that can be applied to this issue. According to utilitarianism, abortion is ethical.