Abortion as an Issue in the Election

To the Editor:

Re “November’s Second-Most-Important Election,” by David French (column, Oct. 14):

I find it difficult to understand why the heart has become a determiner of fetal life in abortion discussions and law when it’s the brain that makes us truly human.

According to much neurological research, the brain doesn’t reach its major development until the end of the second trimester, about 24 weeks into a pregnancy, also known as viability. The brain then continues to develop through the ninth month of pregnancy, and certain parts, such as the frontal cortex, are not fully developed until adults reach their mid-20s.

All of us, even lawmakers, should pay attention to the neurological science instead of emotional reactions to sounds.

Ellen Creane
Guilford, Conn.

To the Editor:

I personally am deeply conflicted on the issue of abortion, but the problem I have with many pro-life supporters is that they never talk about support after the baby is born.

Live babies and children need diapers and food and child care and good schools and support for college or learning a trade and safe schools and streets. If you have no concrete plans to eliminate child poverty, improve public education and put gun controls in place, can you really say that you support children?

Ending the conversation (and legislation) at birth is not pro-life, but pro-childbirth.

Margaret Dowling
Philadelphia