Planned Parenthood’s name

The side-by-side arguments in the Crossroads section on Aug. 9, namely, “A battle over fetal tissue,” explained the case (“Making medical progress” and “Put an end to these sales,”).

The arguments put forth “the inhumane practice that Planned Parenthood has incorporated for profit on the backs of unborn children” vs. research efforts 50 years ago in eliminating “the scourge of polio, which afflicted millions of American children, killing some and permanently enabling others” owing to research with fetal tissue. I was left with several conclusions. If Planned Parenthood wants to be in the field of harvesting fetal tissue from human beings, it should change its name to Parenthood Prevention. It takes a stretch to connect the dots to warrant the current name and still include part of the group’s mission that includes harvesting and selling human fetal issue.

If “research” could have come up with eliminating the fear of polio 50 years ago, what additional license is needed now to do that again today?

Considering the scrutiny that is being given the current situation and Planned Parenthood’s protestations, it seems reasonable to at least examine things such as the group’s mission and practices and financing to be assured that that these things are being “managed under strong and effective ethical guidelines” as it protests in its defense.

J. Michael Steinhardt Pewaukee