Procreation: pros and cons

[Nik]

Glad you are with us, J.J. -:)

[Scout]

Same here, J.J. Such a complicated issue.

[Vance]

That's a sobering thought, J.J.

Just for clarity, my comments up to press have been about contraception or abstention, the opportunity or knowledge to prevent pregnancies. I've never joined the abortion debate because each case is unique, and has to be down to the mother's decision.

As an example, someone very close to me had an abortion, after her contraception failed. She was affected very badly by the abuse from others, and the disapproving attitude of the medical staff who dealt with her. She didn't have much choice, because carrying her last child almost killed her. She refused an abortion that time, but was told another pregnancy would be fatal. She's opted for celibacy now, rather than risk contraceptives.

In a country where abortion is illegal, she'd be dead, and her daughter would have no mother. Women must have an option, both ways, and the best the rest of us can do is not judge the mother.

[J.J.]

PBS Newshour tonight did a story on states where it's legal for Pharmacists to refuse to dispense prescriptions if their use violates their religious beliefs. One example they used was a woman whose fetus stopped developing and the doctor prescribed medication to abort it. Essentially the baby was already dead, right? So I can't see turning it into an issue when no doubt the mother is already suffering. And it's an example of why I don't think abortion should be illegal...because we don't know the facts surrounding individual cases, and it's frankly none of our business. I would argue women need to think long and hard about the decision before undertaking it, but at the end of the day, it is her decision for whatever reasons she has.

[Scout]

I agree, and I hope the Supreme Court, despite a new conservative judge, will consider all the implications we've discussed here and uphold Roe v. Wade and grant women the right to choose and live with the decision.