Supreme court choices a concern

In his Jan. 31 letter, Theodore Utchen wrote the right to an abortion involves balancing the actuality of an existing being (the woman) versus the potential of a fetus. Neither life - that of an unborn child or that of the mother - is more important than the other's. Both lives are of equal value and both deserve to be protected by the laws of our society. Biology is clear that at conception, also known as fertilization, a unique organism comes into existence. Since this new life possesses human DNA and is the offspring of human parents, it can only be described as human life. Some people claim that human beings are not "persons" until some threshold is crossed, such as viability, or the capacity to feel pain or birth. "Fetus" is a Latin term meaning "little one," used to describe a stage of development, just like "infant" or "adult." A fetus' heart begins to beat between 18-24 days after conception. A fetus' brain waves can be detected six weeks after conception. A fetus is likely able to feel pain as early as 8 weeks after conception. While it is certainly true that a woman's body is greatly impacted by pregnancy, it is not true that abortion is simply a matter of choosing to do something with her body. The fetus growing within her womb is a separate person with his or her own distinct genetic makeup. Abortion does not remove some part of the woman's body; it destroys the body of a separate, unique individual with great potential. Research shows that abortion hurts women (and men as well) and puts women at greater risk for a number of diseases. Therefore, I fear President Obama's choice of future U.S. Supreme Court justices. In conclusion, thank your mother for giving you the gift of life.

Mary Stuhr

Addison