In “Protect unborn human child” (Our Readers’ Views, March 21), Marcus Lind asks, “Where is the advocacy for the dignity and sanctity of human life to include the unborn child?” A fetus cannot live independently of the female womb, requiring a host to carry, feed and eliminate for it. It has no guarantee of life since 1 in 4 pregnancies end in spontaneous abortions (miscarriages or acts of God).
I appreciate that Mr. Lind’s faith pushes him to advocate for life. But he does not have the right to force his belief regarding life on anyone else. According to my faith, life begins when the newborn takes its first breath — whenever that happens, whether as early as 23 weeks through medical intervention or giving birth at full term (40 weeks).
Most abortions take place in the first trimester when a fetus is not capable of survival if “born.” Abortions after 22 weeks are unanticipated family tragedies resulting from fatal fetal defects or life-threatening effects of pregnancy on the woman.
The Bible is vocal on women’s issues (menstruation, childbirth, infertility, sexual desire, prostitution, infidelity, and rape) but strangely silent on abortion. Perhaps the already living were valued more highly than the unripened fruit of the womb.
