Subscribe now

Letter: Letters : False logic

Published 5 October 1996

From A. J. Brassett

Whitchurch, Shropshire

Gillian Bentley provided some interesting and informative statistics relating
to human reproduction (Forum, 31 August, p 43). However, I strongly disagree
with her argument that since “major reproductive losses occur naturally every
day” and “we . . . accept them as part of a natural process”, any human
decisions to destroy embryos or terminate pregnancies should be seen in the same
light.

I suspect she would not apply the same argument to human beings after birth.
After all, people die of natural causes at all ages, but it is not generally
considered acceptable to kill people off because they are considered surplus,
inconvenient, diseased or in some sense defective.

Issue no. 2050 published 5 October 1996

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop