What makes murder immoral is that it is the ending of a life that has meaning and value. An individual life gains meaning and value as it comes into the world and matures. The value of a "life" is not inherent.
Abortion is performed in self defense, as a person has the right to decide who or what can occupy their body. A much more appropriate label than Murder, would be 'Justifiable Homicide'
Abortion being morally wrong is dependent on the circumstances.
Abortion in cases of rape, incest or life threatening conditions to the mother, are less morally wrong. The morality of abortion in general changes dependant on developmental stages.
Murder is criminalized because it > Deprives the victim of the rest of her life > Causes physical pain to the victim > Causes emotional pain to the victim and relatives > Threatens the survivability and legacy of the victim, its race, and genetics. Abortion also fulfills this criteria.
The appropriate punishment, if any, depends upon the conclusion of the original argument. This point neither supports nor rejects the conclusion that abortion is murder.
psecretpseudonym