Abortion Debate

On AM this morning there was an interview with the most senior Anglican clergyman, Peter Carnley, giving his views on the newly reignited abortion debate.

As you'd expect, he is for tightening up of the rules, ie, making abortion harder to get. Let's examine what he said.

Well, I think [the abortion issue is] going to continually resurface until it's resolved because I think it's an unresolved problem and I think people generally are really concerned, and it simply will keep coming back.

Some people are really concerned, but they're a minority. Most people seem to believe it's a matter of choice.

The issue will never be resolved. It's like the argument between the left and right of politics. People have their own views of right and wrong.

Is the embryo in the early stages of pregnancy an individual entity or part of the mother's body? When does a fetus become self aware? There are arguments but no definitive answers.

Well, I think first of all, this is really a scientific question before it's a religious or a moral question. The scientific question is, when are we dealing with a human life?

And I think it's very clear that from, for scientific reasons, it's very clear that from the moment of conception, after about, you know, 3 weeks from fertilisation, from the moment of conception, we're dealing with an independent, human individual, and every human individual has a right to life and protection.

Peter seems to be a bit confused about when 'conception' is. Most people would know it's at the moment of fertilisation, ie, the fusion of sperm and egg. He is obviously grappling with the dilemma I stated earlier; when does life start?

I think it's fairly clear that from the moment of conception, we're dealing with an independent human life with and independent heartbeat, an independent blood circulation, an independent brain activity. I think for scientific reasons it's quite clear. I don't think we don't need much more information.

No, it's not clear, for reasons explained earlier.

When asked whether he agreed with making abortion harder to obtain ....

Well yes, but I would also support educational programs. I think these days, when people can control their fertility, there's really no need for abortion. There should be no need for an abortion.

In a perfect world, he's correct. It's a pity a large part of the religious opposition to abortion don't believe in contraception, either.

In the real world, women will conceive in circumstances where a child will be an extreme burden.

The only controls on abortion the Federal government can impose is through restricting Medicare benefits. If Abbott and his ilk gets there way, it will be poor and disadvantaged women who will suffer.

This issue is about imposing of the will of an extremist minority over the rest of the population. Well meaning these people may be, but the majority of population is content to leave the issue as a matter of individual choice.