Many people who have written about LD 1619 have expressed their personal and religious views on the issue of abortion. They believe their views should take precedent over that of the pregnant woman, her physician, the father and other religions. They seem to believe their views should be forced on all of society even if other personal views and religions disagree with theirs.

There are circumstances that happen late in pregnancy that can force a choice between the life of the mother and that of an unborn fetus. In these dire circumstances it should be the decision of the parents with their physician’s guidance which will survive.

In Judaism, the unborn fetus is not considered a person until it takes its first breath. The mother’s life takes precedence over the unborn. To take away this is choice is to take away freedom of choice of the mother’s religion.

Opponents of LD 1619 make it appear that women in the late stages of pregnancy will just decide they don’t want to be pregnant and will request an abortion.

Do people really believe that in the eighth or ninth month of pregnancy women will suddenly make that decision?

Do people really think physicians will perform a late stage abortion without a sound medical reason?

Personally, I believe the answers to these questions are no.

Stan Tetenman, Poland