The moment of personhood

Mark A. Sammut (The Culture Of Death, November 11) says that I portray pregnancy as an unfortunate event whereas my letter referred specifically and clearly to women who find themselves in the unfortunate situation of an unwanted pregnancy. The...

Mark A. Sammut (The Culture Of Death, November 11) says that I portray pregnancy as an unfortunate event whereas my letter referred specifically and clearly to women who find themselves in the unfortunate situation of an unwanted pregnancy.

The circumstances surrounding an unfortunate pregnancy can be many and varied, the most detestable of which being when it is the result of rape.

Mr Sammut writes in no uncertain terms that my letter is inciting the commission of a crime. I fail to see how this is so unless he is against discussing the issue. The moral and ethical argument against abortion depends wholly on personhood at conception. Even major religions cannot agree on where to draw the line, when we can consider the foetus a person.

What I find most insulting in Mr Sammut's letter is the title.

Pro-choice does not mean favouring abortion over childbirth. Abortion should never be taken too lightly as it always leaves a psychological scar, but it is important for the nation to discuss this delicate issue without resorting to emotional bickering.

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