The Abortion Wars Are Just Getting Started

[Valin]

Real Clear Politics

J. Peder Zane

May 18, 2022

The Supreme Court’s apparent decision to send the abortion issue back to the states may be a triumph for federalism and the concept of the separation of powers, but it is also a recipe for unyielding division. Abortion politics will become even more of a litmus test for tens of millions of pro-choice and pro-life voters at the local, state, and federal levels because their legislators will have far more power to shape policy. This, in turn, will further polarize our politics and empower the extremes because many voters will likely back candidates no matter their position on schools, crime, housing, jobs and debt, so long as they are the right kind of “pro.”

The abortion wars will continue because Justice Samuel Alito’s draft opinion essentially undoing Roe v. Wade settles nothing. Allowing the states to decide to regulate the medical procedure does not address the central issue: Is it permissible to intentionally take an innocent life? Although abortion rights activists are angry about the Court’s expected decision, it appears to give them a major victory by permitting the practice. It will do nothing to assuage those who oppose it.

Science and experience make clear that abortion is the taking of an innocent life. We don’t need biologists to tell us that life begins at conception – though almost all of them will. Those who deny this basic fact are engaged in magical thinking, pretending that fairy dust is sprinkled on the developing baby at some indeterminate point. When the sperm fertilizes the egg, a unique life is created. Little Johnny or Sue is beginning the journey that, hopefully, will lead to everchanging stages of childhood, puberty, adulthood, and old age. If they are aborted, their parents might have other children, but they will not look or act exactly like Johnny or Sue would have. This is why abortion is not just another medical procedure, but a wrenching decision.

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I do not expect my view to persuade abortion opponents. Honestly, while I find their position more intellectually persuasive, I also know that if one of my family members had an unwanted pregnancy, or a severely handicapped fetus, I would want them to be able to terminate their pregnancy.

The abortions wars will continue because both sides are right.

[Valin]