Considering abortion: It’s complex

Some argue abortion is an atrocity – others, a desperate necessity. I feel some issues haven’t been fairly considered.

Animal life is protected according to guidelines far beyond concerns of viability. The environment itself is a critical element of the protection of any species. The potentiality of life is a high standard in the pursuit of animal protection.

Roe v. Wade references the American Medical Association back in 1857 declaring “the independent and actual existence of the child before birth, as a living being” is a matter of objective science. They deplored the “popular ignorance ... that the foetus is not alive till after the period of quickening.”

Roe v. Wade ignored science, and yet we live in violation of this truth. We know the Earth isn’t flat or the center of the universe. We’re fools to base society on disproven theories.

Studies have recognized the reactions of the fetus to musical rhythms. A study in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” published Jan. 27 in USA Today, identifies babies two to three days old surprised by the absence of a downbeat at least as much as an adult.  Other studies show six-month-old pre-born fetuses processing sound. Evaluations of music recognize its foundation in mathematical concepts.

Science will continue finding ways to help premature babies attain viability ever earlier in gestation. Eventually we’ll be able to take a new fertilization from the womb to normal development.

At what point can we decide it isn’t viable? How can we decide any age fetuses can be destroyed? Science says all potentiality for life should morally be defended. Some decisions are difficult. If there’s little to no risk to the mother, the fetus must live.

A precious resource, the minds we are destroying have the answers we need to many problems on economy, ecology, disease, politics – every field we can imagine, and more. We lose when science is ignored.

Perhaps abortion was the only reasonable option, but we’re beyond that. Ending a pregnancy shouldn’t include harming either person. Some procedures are known to cause complications, such as “partial birth abortion.” The later the procedure is used, the higher the risk to the mother.

David House
IU employee