Olga Pitcairn (Right to Life, May 25) persists in her attempt to ascribe the definition of a living human being to faith-based beliefs. However much it may amuse her to contemplate the varying and conflicting beliefs of different faiths, it remains as relevant as claiming that the world is square. This is an undisputedly scientific issue and the jury is in: the unborn child is a living, human being at every stage.

I take issue with one section of this newspaper’s report of May 23 (Lifesaving Treatment for Pregnant Women). The penultimate paragraph leaves the reader with the distinct impression that Savita Halapanavaar died after being denied an abortion. The media frenzy that arose in the wake of this story is what gave most people this idea. However, they are most likely wrong.

The fact is that the Health Service Executive report on the case has not yet emerged. Also, the medical evidence available indicates that her death came about as a result of several factors, including potentially serious medical oversights, but none related to abortion. In other words, an abortion would probably not have made any difference.

This, of course, is a far less juicy story from a media point of view.