One Fact Tips Scales: the Unborn Have No Choice

In response to Ruth Sultzbach’s letter (Defining ‘Pro-Life’, May 13): I’ll admit she makes some interesting observations. Having read with equal interest all articles about abortion in your paper, I feel compelled to make some of my own observations.

While feeling very strongly about the abortion issue, I do respect many people on the other side of this debate. Pro-abortion rights advocates feel that they are protecting tens of thousands of poor, desperate women from a back-alley abortion experience, and I respect and share their concern.

The ultimate consideration, I believe, includes in principle one of their oft-chosen words: choice. While there are many heavy considerations surrounding a woman carrying an unwanted, unplanned child, she does have the choice to keep the child or to give up that child for adoption or to abort. Conversely, the unborn child has no choice.

A pregnant woman has the choice to seek financial, material or emotional assistance. (It is available.) The tiny child has no choice and few advocates.

Because you cannot reason that women have to go to obtain an abortion except in the case of a threat to the mother’s life, the right to life seems to be the heavier of two weighty considerations.

While I respect those who fear for the women who carry these unwanted children, I suggest that they channel their money and energy to assist women in this unfortunate situation and stop imposing the ultimate penalty on the defenseless unborn child.

KEVIN C. WILLIAMS

Orange