Freedom to choose doesn’t relieve us of obligations

SIR, In the course of my efforts to defend the right to life of unborn children, I am regularly asked, ‘would you force a woman to have a baby?’. Apart from the question sounding very emotive, it obscures the fact that we are all obliged or forced to do many things in our everyday lives, with most of these being out of consideration for the rights of others.

As a parent I am obliged or forced to ensure my children are cared for and educated. As a motorist I am obliged or forced to insure and maintain my car. As a pet owner I am obliged or forced to afford certain rights to an animal, including the right to life. I hardly think it that outlandish to believe that an unborn child should be afforded the primary right that is of any significance to it, namely the right to life. This ultimately means denying the woman a right to have her unborn child’s life brought to a contrived, violent and artificial end.

The Eighth Amendment has prevented women from having abortions in this country, acknowledging the natural right to life of the unborn. Some women may have gone abroad to end their pregnancies, but many, some of whom are known to me, have had a chance to reflect on their original knee-jerk decision to seek an abortion and are now proud, loving parents. Were they forced to have a baby? No. They would be only too happy to admit that they were denied the right to forcefully and deliberately end a life, while causing untold harm to the mother.

Sincerely,

June Twomey Cooraclare, Kilrush,

Co. Clare.