January 18, 1978

Just The Facts, Ma'am!

"Just the facts, ma'am!"

This could be a familiar phrase to women seeking an abortion if legislation now under consideration in Akron is adopted and becomes a model for the nation.

The proposed city ordinance is "pro life" in that it requires "informed consent" by the pregnant woman and strict medical safeguards.

Pro abortionists oppose the bill on the basis it places obstacles in the way of a woman's choice.  "It's her body and her right to do as she pleases with it!"

The controversy between the morality of "taking a life" and the permissiveness of "personal right" has been fought and decided - largely in favor of abortion.  The only thing yet to be decided is whether abortion is a right to be guaranteed by the state or a privilege to be exercised by individuals.

It appears to be in recognition of reality that the Akron ordinance acknowledges abortion and the opportunity of women to undergo the technique.

Thus, it does not seem unreasonable to impose conditions for submitting to, and performing, an abortion.  We are, after all, dealing with potential human life if not actual life.

And this brings us to the final, conclusive debate.

When does life begin?

The Akron ordinance would place serious responsibility on both the woman and her abortionist.

Section 1870.06 specifies that an abortion otherwise permitted by law shall be performed only with the informed, written consent of the pregnant woman after acknowledging that she has been told the following: (quoting)

1. That she is pregnant.
2. The number of weeks since probable conception.
3. That her unborn child is alive and has a brain, a spinal cord, nervous system and beating heart if four weeks old.
4. That the brain of her unborn child has electrical brain waves if more than six weeks have elapsed from conception.
5. That her unborn child has eyes, ears, a mouth, teeth, tongue, a nose, arms, legs, fingers, toes, bones, muscles, skin, and all internal organs if seven weeks old.
6. That all organs and body systems of her unborn child are present if more than eight weeks since conception.
7. That her unborn child can squint, frown, swallow, move the tongue, make a fist and is sensitive to touch if more than nine weeks old.
8. That her unborn child can suck his or her thumb if more than 11 weeks have elapsed since conception.
9. That her unborn child may be capable of surviving outside her womb if more than 20 weeks old, and that her attending physicians have a legal obligation to take all reasonable steps to preserve the life and health of her unborn child during and after the abortion.
10. That abortion is a medical procedure which can result in serious complications, including hemorrhage, perforated uterus, infection, menstrual disturbances, sterility, miscarriage in subsequent pregnancies, and even death.
11. That abortion may leave essentially unaffected or may worsen any existing psychological problems she may have, and can result in severe emotional disturbances, including depression and suicide.
12. That numerous public and private agencies are available to assist her during pregnancy and after the birth of her child if she chooses not to have the abortion, whether she wishes to keep her child or place him or her for adoption.

This is a heavy load of emotion to lay on a pregnant woman.  Yet, it is a heavy scene.  Items 1 through 11 are medical facts.  Ignorance of them, or refusing to acknowledge them, doesn't alter the facts.

Nature - or God, if you choose - is indifferent to legal words and capricious customs of men.  The species must be propagated.  No amount of semantical squirming disposes of the natural drive to reproduce.  Willful interference with the process is contrary to Nature - of no consequence if God is dead, of paramount significance if there is a divine purpose to life.

Aside from the theology, I favor making decisions on facts no matter how hard those facts may be.  The harder the facts really are, the more essential it is to deal with them.

The consequences of abortion are too far reaching to be taken lightly.

The facts of life contained in the Akron ordinance should be taught, or recalled, to the woman at the crucial moment of decision.  The future of society requires it.

Beyond that - lacking full wisdom - we must leave any penalty for the final decision to Nature and-or God.

Author: Lindsey Williams