Putting foetus above mother

THE EDITOR: Governor Jeb Bush of Florida tried to prevent a retarded rape victim from having access to an abortion. The 28-year-old woman has the mental age of a 4-year-old. Without regard for the pregnant woman, Bush attempted to appoint a guardian to protect the foetus. In doing this, he was acting over the objection of the retarded woman’s mother and the advice of child welfare officials. The Supreme Court of Florida allowed the abortion. A full-term pregnancy might have threatened the rape victim’s life as she was prone to seizures. The woman had a tubal ligation along with the abortion.

That battle is over, but the struggle continues. On the same day that the abortion was performed, another woman asked a court in Orlando to appoint her as the guardian of another mentally retarded rape victim’s foetus. Once more, Jeb Bush wants the woman appointed and again child welfare has advised that such an appointment would be illegal. The practice of elevating the interests of the foetus above and to the exclusion of those of the mother cannot be the best course for strengthening family life. We need dialogue to help us find a better way and a more wholesome common ground.

A R RODRIGUEZ
St Ann’s