To the editor,

Abortion continues to remain a “hot topic’ in our country.  An April 2019 ruling by the Kansas Supreme Court cleared the way for an unfettered abortion. Unfettered means not influenced or limited by rules which means an abortion could be performed for any reason at anytime during the pregnancy. We must take action to ‘reverse this ruling’ and protect mothers and their unborn babies.

From the moment of conception, the unborn baby is genetically distinct from his/her parents. The heart starts beating at 18 days after conception-usually before a woman even knows she is pregnant. At 20 weeks old, a baby’s major internal organs have developed and begin to function. External features begin to form during this period, including the nose and ears. The baby is the size of a banana. The spine begins to straighten out, and the nervous system continues to develop, allowing the baby to feel and respond to stimuli.    

Due to advances in technology, we have a window into the womb. We can see the baby’s characteristics, see the heart beating, and maybe see the baby sucking his/her thumb or kicking his/her legs. Life is unfolding on the screen before our eyes. It’s obvious the baby is a real person created by God.

Many people do not realize that abortion is legal for all nine months of pregnancy in the USA. Although some procedures are illegal, there is no limitation on when an abortion can be performed. Abortion happens approximately 4,000 times a day in our country, just under 1.3 million per year. Only 1-2% of all abortions occur after rape, incest, and cases where the life of the mother is at risk.

“It’s a woman’s body and she can do what she wants.” From a legal standpoint, women are not permitted to do many things to or with their bodies, such as engage in prostitution. A women’s right over her body ends where her unborn child’s body begins. Just as it is wrong and illegal to kill a small child, an adolescent or the elderly, it is wrong to kill an unborn baby.

Vote Nov. 5 to reverse this constitutional amendment. Kansans do not want more abortion clinics or to be identified as a destination for unfettered abortions.

Betty Schneider

Director of Birthright of Great Bend