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A few questions about abortion

Saturday, November 10 at 12:00 PM

This Speakout has not been edited.

By Pam Myyers

For many years I have heard, and participated in the discussions on abortion. I have some questions that never seem to get answered.

1. A researcher claims that he has identiifed the genetic marker for homosexuality. Should this prove true, would it be acceptable to permit abortions to prevent the birth of someone who will be homosexual?

2. In vitro technology is improving daily. In animal husbandry is it possible to transport cattle embryos in small animals and then implant them in cows. Were this technology approved for human beings would it be an acceptable alternative to abortion to remove the embryo and implant or freeze it? Should this be the legal replacement for abortion? Should funding to provide this service come from taxes?

3. If a method of birth control were developed that was 100% effective, 100% safe and cheap would it be acceptable if it required that it be administered before menstruation begins?

4. You are the parent of a girl who becomes pregnant. She declares she does not want an abortion and runs away from home to avoid one. She is picked up by social services. Should she be returned to the home or placed in a foster situation?

5. Imagine that the girl in the former example wants an abortion but her family refuses permission. Now what would your decision be?

6. A pregnant girl obtains an abortion without her parents’ knowledge or consent. She suffers complications and requires medical treatment. Who is responsible for the cost of this treatment? Should it be legal to charge a clinic for malpractice when the patient is a minor?

7. A new law provides that a man cannot be held responsible for child support if the woman resides in a state where abortion is legal and he offers to pay for it. The catch is that in order to take advantage of this law the man must undergo a vasectomy. Fair or not and to whom?

8. In the example above the man must be held responsible unless the woman has previously had an abortion. The money will be paid to the state even if the woman declines it. She must have her tubes tied during childbirth or immediately afterwards to take advantage of this law. Fair or not and to whom?

9. Children born to mothers unable to care for them will be removed from them at birth and placed in an orphanage situation or foster care. At the end of a year the mother’s parental rights are forfeit if she does not show ability to care for her child by then. A tax on all churches and religious communities of 10% of their collections or fifteen dollars per adult member would be used to pay for this along with a fifty dollar surcharge on each abortion. How would this work? How would you change it?

10. National health care is under contemplation. There will be enough votes to pass it only if abortion is not provided as a service. In fact, the main selling point is that no doctor could collect any government funds if they participated in abortions. No coverage for any abortion service other than to save the life of the mother would be allowed. Settle for that or wait for another plan?

Frankly I’m tired of both sides yelling without thinking. Can we please have some answers to these questions based on thought?

Pam Myyers is a resident of Thornton.

READER COMMENTS

Black bread in turkey stuffing?Sounds GOOD ! I'm going to talk with Mrs.Jimminy about that.

Posted by Jimminy on November 14, 2007 10:31 PM

Jimminy,

Great answers but would you please give us your thoughts in a bit longer format? The idea is to make people think, not make them think any of this is actual fact.

OK you can be king of the forest if I can be Empress of the kitchen. (Just took a sneak trip to the kitchen to start a new set of loaves in the bread machine. Gotta have black bread in the turkey stuffing and there are now 7 of them to get ready and cooked. Looks like most of the family got out and bought the biggest turkey they could find. They are in the fridge at my mothers right now. Should all be thawed by Tuesday.)

Posted by Pam Myyers Thornton, CO on November 14, 2007 01:06 AM

Oops! Forgot #6.No one is required to pay for malpractice,and assault laws DO apply to minors.

Posted by Jimminy on November 14, 2007 12:37 AM

Well,if I were King of the Forest,the answers would be:
#1-yes
#2-yes
#3-no
#4-Depends
#5-see#4
#7-That's BS
#8- More BS
#9- That's moot.Most of it is what goes on now.
#10-No answer possible.Unrealistic premises.
Interesting thought experiment.Thanx.

Posted by Jimminy on November 14, 2007 12:30 AM

Good questions. Good luck getting objective answers to them.

Posted by Hans Christian Brando on November 11, 2007 10:58 AM

In answer to your first question, if abortion for any reason is legal, as it is today, then the answer is yes. Having an abortion to prevent the birth of a gay child is a legal as having an abortion to prevent the birth of a child you don't feel like caring for. They are both callous, indifferent and inhuman reasons for having an abortion. But what do you expect? Abortion is a callous, indifferent and inhuman procedure.

Posted by John Newman on November 10, 2007 02:31 PM