May 26, 2003

Telling the truth or stretching it as a scare tactic?

It appears that the Texas Legislature has passed a bill requiring counseling prior to receiving an abortion. However, one of the items that is to be included in the counseling is a warning that an abortion might lead to breast cancer.

That link, however, does not exist, according to the American Cancer Society and federal government researchers, and critics say the law is a thinly veiled attempt to intimidate, frighten and shame women who are seeking an abortion.
Proponents say they are merely trying to give women as much information as possible, and argue that research into the alleged link between abortion and breast cancer remains inconclusive.

I have to side with the critics. If there is not absolute data showing that such warning is true, the only purpose of such could only be usage as a scare tactic. If it was true, then I would agree that such warning should be given. Are our legislators really so guilded to think that people would not care, or did some special interest pull the wool over their eyes. Why don't you decide:

After years of failed attempts to outlaw abortion outright, social conservatives across the nation are now finding success in limiting abortions by requiring so-called counseling of patients. Among the most aggressive tactics is the attempt to link abortion with breast cancer, a move that many conservative organizations have undertaken, but rarely with the success they have found in Texas.

I personally believe that abortion should not be a choice of birth control, as there are so many other ways to stop conception during sex. However, I am also of the belief that such is a moral decision and it is not my job to judge the morals of others. As I have said before, I think such should be put up in a Constitutional Amendment and allow the whole nation to decide whether such should or should not be allowed by law. BUT MOST OF ALL---I do not believe the government should ever mandate the passing of information if there is no basis for the truth of such.

attribution: The Liquid List

Posted by Tiger at May 26, 2003 08:57 PM | TrackBack
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