I wish to thank the Sun-Gazette for giving voice to the pro-life view of Roe. I would like to clarify a few points.

Fetal development is a continuum that begins at conception, is solidified at implantation, and thrives with the optimal health of the mother. The fetus has a heart beat by 4 weeks, has every organ system in place by 8 weeks, and is pain capable by 13 weeks. It is not a belief but a scientific fact that life begins at conception. What is a belief is when we as a society choose to legally recognize and afford protection to this life. Where that line is drawn is arbitrary.

In Pennsylvania that line is drawn at 24 weeks. New York State and the Democrats in Congress have that line drawn at 40 weeks (full term). I am a pediatrician who has resuscitated infants down to 22 weeks and held fully formed fetuses younger than that whose mom’s had the misfortune of very preterm labor. Infants as young as 21 weeks now may survive. The U.S. has been one of the most liberal countries in the lack of restrictions on abortion. The misleading statistic noted in the article of 61% support for abortion is that 71% of these supporters favor significant restrictions. 47 of 50 European countries limit abortion to under 15 weeks (similar to the Mississippi law upheld by the Supreme Court of 16 weeks) and include some that do not permit elective abortions.

Abortions are not without harm. The psychological effects of abortion were noted in the article but the harm also includes complications of the procedure (ex. 5th leading cause of maternal death; check out story of Kermit Gosnell from Philadelphia), doubles the risk of breast cancer, and increases risk of preterm labor in subsequent pregnancies (aaplog.org). This is also a far different time than 1973 when the Roe decision was handed down. For example, there are highly effective options for birth control that did not exist then and the stigma of out-of-wedlock birth is much diminished.

I believe there is a better way, one that recognizes the importance of the life of both mom and baby. Pregnancy resource centers, such as Expectations, are great resources for women faced with unwanted or challenging pregnancies. Newborn babies are highly sought after for those seeking adoption. These choices allow something positive to come out of an unwanted pregnancy!

RUSSELL GOMBOSI, MD

Cogan Station

Submitted by email