If they'd used my aborted foetus, fine
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liz Peterson is an unattached 30-year-old publishing editor who recently underwent an abortion.
I HAVE an organ donor card, which makes it clear, if I am killed, that my organs can be used. I would feel the same way if a doctor had asked to make use of the foetus. If it could be used, it should be used.
I should not be made to feel guilty about having an abortion. I was absolutely not in a position to bring up a child. I don't even have a permanent place to live at the moment. I wouldn't have got maternity leave, and would probably have got the sack. I got pregnant accidentally, not long after I split up with my long-standing partner.
It was a mistake; the condom came off. The potential father and I had nothing in common.
But I do know about the misery of women who want children and can't have them, because someone in my family is in that position. If someone has a partner and a home and really wants a baby, they deserve to have one.
Having an abortion is a bit traumatic. I might have thought about the question a bit more if it had been put to me at the time. But now I don't have any emotional reaction at all.
I don't see any conflict in my position - that even though I felt I had to end a life, I would be happy to see another develop from it. I cannot make any distinction between donating eggs or ovaries from a foetus and someone having my corneas or kidneys.
It would have been brilliant if someone who was infertile could have had a child as a result of my abortion.
I really object to someone like Dame Jill Knight telling me how I would feel about having a genetic grandchild.
Suggesting that a future child would be traumatised by discovering its origins is a mystical argument. They will only have a problem if you make it one.
Liz Peterson is a pseudonym.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments