UP Ibalon Bicol: Doctor slay sparks new debate on abortion

Doctor slay sparks new debate on abortion

6/02/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

If you support late term abortion----termination of pregnancy beyond the time of fetal viability, you’ll probably hail Dr. George Tiller of Wichita, Kansas as a hero. A reproductive health provider, he helped desperate women get abortions at a time when few doctors would agree of the terminations.

The controversial doctor who reportedly aborted as many as 60,000 fetuses under strict medical guideline during his career was gunned down while attending the Sunday morning church services in Wichita Reformation Lutheran Church on May 31, 2009.

The suspected killer in custody is Scott P. Roeder, a 51 year-old native of Merriam Kansas, an ardent opponent of abortion. It is unclear if the alleged gunman acted alone or in cahoots with an anti-abortion group.

“Tiller was a rallying symbol for both sides. The 67-year-old physician's clinic was bombed in 1985, and he was shot in both arms in 1993. He was acquitted of criminal charges in March related to performing late-term abortions. Abortion rights supporters praised his work."---McClatchy Newspapers (06/01/09, Goldstein, D.)

If you are against abortion, the slaying of Dr. Tiller marks the end of a baby killer who profited huge sums of money for performing termination of unwanted pregnancies. Millions of innocent fetuses are killed in utero for varying justifications in USA and the death of the physician may be looked upon by anti-abortion proponents as a “murder of a murderer.”

Yet, for most of us, Dr. Tiller and his killer’s fate must not end senselessly as this. The gruesome killing shows an apparent rush to get justice at the expense of the law. Such an unfortunate incident is likely to be exploited by groups to advance their views in such a contentious subject.

While a fraction of Americans believe that the doctor has provided needed medical services and helped women under difficult circumstances by performing abortion, as many as more than 2/3 (72%) of US citizens are against the termination of babies during the last phase of pregnancy.

In the backdrop of citizens asserting their pro-choice stance in support of abortion, the arguments against the killing of the unborn don’t only transcend cultural tradition, but contradicts religious beliefs as well. Since the news of Dr. Tiller's death, criticisms and threats of backlash are hurled in all sides of the issue which make us ask again:

"Can't we get along?" "Will we not respect the life of the defenseless babies because we are stronger than them?" "If we are the fetuses to be aborted, will we allow the procedure of babaric baby death?" (Photo Credit: AP/ Charles Riedel) =0=

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Labels: abortion, controversy, Dr. George Tiller, fetus, Health, killings, moral values, morality, pregnancy, Pro-choice, Prolife, termination of pregnancy, Totie Mesia

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Doctor slay sparks new debate on abortion

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