Here we outline the positions of those thought to be the main contenders for the Democratic and Republican parties on each of the key issues.
For the Democrats we look at New York Senator Hillary Clinton, former North Carolina Senator John Edwards and Illinois Senator Barack Obama.
For the Republicans we consider former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Arizona Senator John McCain, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson.
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Hillary Clinton: On abortion, she has supported a woman's right to choose as a fundamental constitutional right. She has also talked about the role of faith, values and education in preventing unwanted pregnancies in the first place. Her record shows she backs "sensible gun control legislation" and has been a firm supporter of stem cell research.
John Edwards: Has said he "could not disagree more strongly" with the April 2007 Supreme Court decision to uphold a ban on late-term partial birth abortion. In the Democratic debate the same month, he said he understood it was a difficult issue for America. He favours expanding federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.
Barack Obama: Speaking at the April 2007 Democratic debate, Mr Obama said he trusted women to make their own choices on abortion "in conjunction with their doctors and their families and their clergy". He has said he believes marriage is between a man and a woman but has supported civil unions for gay couples.
Rudy Giuliani: Has said he believes in a woman's right of choice but that he personally hates abortion. He has stressed that while mayor of New York, adoptions went up by 65-70% while abortions dropped 16%. He agrees with the Supreme Court decision to uphold a ban on partial birth abortion. On gay marriage, he says he supports the legal rights afforded by domestic partnerships but believes marriage is between a man and a woman.
John McCain: At the presidential debate in South Carolina, Mr McCain said he believed Roe v Wade - the landmark 1973 Supreme Court ruling that established governments lacked the power to prohibit abortions - should be overturned. He had previously said it should not be repealed because it would force women to seek backstreet abortions. He supports the Supreme Court ruling on partial birth abortion.
Mitt Romney: Supported abortion rights while governor of Massachusetts but says he has changed his mind. He has said he was always personally opposed to abortion but was motivated to change his stance on the government's role in the issue after studying medical developments like cloning. He backs the Supreme Court decision on partial abortion.
Fred Thompson: Describes himself as "pro-life" and has said the landmark Roe v Wade case was "was bad law and bad medical science". He has said he supports adult, but not embryonic, stem cell research. He is opposed to gay marriage and does not like civil unions, but thinks individual states should be left to decide on laws on the latter. He supports the death penalty.
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