Although I don't have time to read through this right now, I'll just add a quick two-pennorth. In my chosen vocation (if I ever get through this degree course) there was a recent debate about making the "morning after pill" available to buy. It is now available, over the counter, and anti-abortionists see this as tantamount to over-the-counter abortion.
Levonelle (the drug) only works if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex - and works by preventing implantation of the little ball of a few dozen cells that is the "baby".
Some pharmacists refuse to sell it on religios grounds and suchlike, but supply it if prescribed. I see this as not only ridiculous double standards - if they refuse to sell it they should then refuse to supply no matter what the reason (prescription or whatever) - but in this course of work your first duty is to the patient, like with doctors. Is it right for a person to force their religious views onto someone? And if, in an extreme and unlikely circumstance but nevertheless entirely possible, the girl has been raped and only plucks up the courage to go to the pharmacists late on a Saturday night, when the available time for the drug is nearly running out, do you turn her away? On Sundays the doctors are closed and by Monday it'll be too late...
Although I'm not entirely sure of my feelings on abortion, I do not think it is right to condemn a woman to carry the product of rape. Although not the babie's fault, it will forever remind her of the violation of her that the man perpetuated...
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