God’s gift

In this crazy world of cosmetic surgery, vandalism, climate change, famine, overpopulation, war, genocide etc Martin Conroy is optimistically looking for a humane way to support women with unexpected pregnancies (Letters, May 5). As this is not a new problem, surely wise men would have found a satisfactory, caring solution by now?

Life developing in the womb is nothing short of awesome, including the charming ability to constrict facial muscles into what resembles a smile. People with disabilities can lead happy and constructive lives if given the right support, but to the shame of all of us, not many are fortunate enough to have that support.

I support life in all its many and wondrous forms – including the lives of women who need help to control situations which are not their fault. Women like Anne who found herself pregnant following a horrific assault. Marie, who suffered a placental abruption and would have bled to death if she had carried on with her pregnancy. Mary, who worked two jobs to support her children, was deserted by her husband and couldn’t afford another child. Fiona, who after years of trying to conceive learnt that the foetus had no viable organs. Sheila, who was raped at the age of 11 and whose young body was not mature enough to cope. Christine, who doesn’t want to give birth to the child of her monstrously abusive husband.

Years ago many women required life saving hysterectomies following back street abortions. Their lives were saved, but at a cost.

There is a solution to these problems–humans have been given a brain and now have scientific and medical knowledge and skills. By perceiving women as simply reproductive vessels, the anti-abortion lobby are denying their god’s gift of such knowledge.

JENNY MAIN

Elgin, Moray