Self-righteous morality ignores complex factors behind abortion choice

JAMES McGRATH’S letter headlined “No such thing as safe abortion” (Irish Examiner, August 19) is typical of the self-righteous, conservative Irish morality which completely devalues women.

For Mr McGrath, women are either selfish for choosing “career, college or whatever” over parenting, or are exploited by so-called “abortion providers.”

He ignores the complex factors leading to a decision to abort (poverty, poor health, rape, incest...), choosing instead to focus on the outdated argument that such women are either selfish or exploited. He obviously has a very low opinion of women. It seems Mr McGrath considers an embryo or foetus to be a ‘child’ from the moment of conception, given his numerous references to the effect of abortion “on the child.” However, there is no scientific consensus as to when human life begins.