Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Thoughts On Abortion, Planned Parenthood, Harvesting of Fetal Organs, and the Political Linkage...

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Why liberals make the case abortion is a healthcare issue for women is something that for many years has alluded me. While women certainly should have control over their own bodies and their reproductive capacity abortion is only a healthcare issue when a partial or full term pregnancy threatens the continued life of the mother. Therefore abortion should not be considered generally as a heath care issue. Only when the life of the women is endangered by pregnancy does it become a true healthcare issue.

Abortion up to the time of fetus viability should remain an option for all women. However, once a fetus is viable (able to survive outside the womb with life support) the same rules with respect to the right to life should apply exactly as it does to post birth humanoids. To not recognize and acknowledge that abortion is a life ending procedure is to be callous while denying reality in the same breath. There should be limitations on when abortions can be performed when the life of the women is not threatened.

Roe-v-Wade was a landmark decision that recognized a women's right to control her body and her reproductive rights; and, it was a right and justified decision. When an unwanted pregnancy happens, either because of failure of the chosen birth control method, the failure to use any birth control method, or rape, ending the pregnancy as soon as possible is both reasonable and rational.

If you're wondering why this topic was chosen for a post topic it's certainly understandable; especially as this writer is not a traveler in the liberal/progressive sphere and is, if you will, generally more conservative or traditional. With Planned Parenthood under attack by religious conservatives and many republicans, with the goal of defunding the organization, this topic just seemed a natural one at this time.

Planned Parenthood has served a useful purpose for nearly 100 years. For the federal government to consider defunding the organization and very likely ending the service and  good it has performed for almost a century is insanity at it's worst. Driven by blind religious conviction, political considerations, and the lust for power,  those advocating for defunding of Planed Parenthood because of recent concerns over harvesting fetal organs are, quite possibly using this issue to also make another run at overturning Roe-v-Wade.

Considering that human life has value (as well as rights), and, considering that a women's reproductive rights are also important, does it not make sense that intelligent and rationally thinking folks of all views on this issue set in place policy and law that best accomplishes the primary and major concerns of all parties? Those who are either unwilling of unable to compromise are the ones who have no place at the table as they are the ones with the inability to see life or considerations beyond their own narrow sphere of knowledge or understanding.

If the purpose of harvesting the organs of aborted fetuses is to further scientific medical knowledge it is, in this writers humble opinion, a good thing. If the harvested organs directly or indirectly results in saving a life, improving the quality of life, or prolonging the life of another then what may I ask is the problem? Having asked the question here then is the answer. When such harvesting of fetal organs becomes a pathway to financially enriching the lives of research scientists, medical doctors, or organizations that are funded by the publics money it is unethical and wrong.

As of yet there has been no convincing evidence to substantiate the defunding of Planed Parenthood based on the recent furor grip the right.

Via: Memeorandum



6 comments:

  1. "Considering that human life has value" It's more than sad that if one decides approval of all Liberal constituencies, that statement must be denounced as racist. It's one of those areas where people I formerly felt in league with have drifted off into Never Never land, leaving me all alone.

    I also get the feeling that we can trust absolutely nothing the anti-abortion squad says and that includes those pieced together documentaries like the one they .used to make sure ACORN couldn't help poor people vote any more. It was fraudulent and I fear the Planned Parenthood crusade is too. I don't think anyone is getting rich at that organization at all and any alleged concern for rights or reason are simply tactical. They would ban birth control in a heartbeat if they thought they had a chance.

    Funny that there's no mention of this rabidly religious position in any Bible I've read and the only substance is piled high and doesn't smell good.

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  2. I am certain I do not understand how Considering that human life has value can be considered racist, and I am equally as certain I would continue to not understand it even if someone attempted to explain it to me.

    My thoughts parallel your own on the anti-abortion squad and the crusade against Planned Parenthood. It is more than likely that those wishing to overturn Roe-v-Wade would ban or restrict access to birth control of they could.

    Reason and rational thinking seems to be in short supply with this group. It is not surprising really because they take their cue from The Cloud Gods and the clouds pretty much support whatever it is that they want.

    Having said the above, I continue to believe that there should be a time beyond which the law protects the life of the fetus in utero. 18 to 20 weeks seems reasonable to me. I acknowledge that there are exceptions to every rule based on circumstances (and there ought to be), and that many have their own views on what constitutes a reasonable point at which a fetus should be protected. This is something reasonable folks ought to be able to work out, and yes there are, IMNHO, unreasonable folks on the liberal side as well.

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    Replies
    1. "...and yes there are, IMNHO, unreasonable folks on the liberal side as well.

      Yes, but as many?

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    2. I haven't counted :-) But judging from the folks on some of the really righty tighty right-wing weblogs and the candidates like Huckabee, Walker, and some others on this issue I'd have to say no.

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    3. But then again I don't spend much time in loosey goosey far left company or spend much time reading far left-wing stuff either. :-)

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    4. I agree with all of that, but when they told us that Bernie Sanders was a racist for saying "all lives matter" was my signal to hit the road. The organization's mission is to promote the organization and little else. I don't see it as left or right - just zealotry and self righteousness.

      It's not that black lives don't matter, but if some matter more than others we're not talking about justice, but role reversal.

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