Letter:Effects of abortion on the lone twin
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.Sir: Our history, literature and mythology are littered with tales of mothers sacrificing themselves for their children. We hold nothing more dear than a mother's love and nothing is further from that ideal than a mother saying, "I will care for this one but not for that one".
But there is another side to this story. How would a mother in these circumstances have even realised that the option to abort one twin existed? After all, we are told this is the first such operation in this country. The idea must have been presented to her by a doctor. Why would a doctor have done this? Medical reasons? It is clearly not the case that this mother was incapable of bearing children and therefore needed an abortion, as she is now continuing to term with the remaining twin.
Maybe the key is in the fact that this was the first such operation in this country. Was there scientific kudos to be had from being the first centre to carry out the procedure?
IAIN M McLAY
Loughton, Essex
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments