Abortion

I believe, and I think a majority of Americans believe, that a collection of cells that have no human form is not appropriate for full legal protections as a “person.”  At some point in the gestation period, a human form can be perceived, though when that is probably varies quite a bit from perceiver to perceiver.  (The claim by some that there is a heartbeat at six weeks is indefensible, as there may be some muscle contraction at that point, but there is no heart at that point.)  The point at which the fairly complete human form is perceived is the point at which I personally would begin to think about legal protections of some sort.  I am satisfied with the current common practice among states of allowing abortions up to some point at the choice of the woman bearing that fetus, often up to six months into the pregnancy (15 weeks seems reasonable), with exceptions even beyond that point for severe deformity, almost certain failure to thrive if born, and protection of the mother’s health. 

I personally do not think of the fetus as a full human being until birth.  I also understand that many people think about this quite differently, often connected with their religious beliefs about the definition of a person.  A particularly hypocritical aspect of the current battle over abortion is the anti-abortion strategy of not making women who seek or have abortions criminally responsible, while seeking prosecution of anyone who helps them.  Women who seek and have abortions are in fact responsible morally, and if abortion is such a heinous crime, it is unbelievable not to prosecute the persons who are responsible! 

I believe the best course to take for this issue is ongoing dialogue and finding the best compromises that we can at every point in time.  The attitude of fighting until one side or the other “wins” is not the best way to proceed.  We all must learn better to compromise, for the sake of all concerned, and to live with those compromises once made.  I will encourage this ongoing dialogue and all efforts to improve whatever compromises we come up with.