a stab at the Viral stance on abortion (and perhaps a couple of other issues).
Following Dawkins' selfish gene theory, the purpose of biological organisms is
to replicate their genes. If one does not wish to do this, one must figure out
a way to interrupt the cycle. Any method of interrupting the reproductive
cycle is essentially equivalent to any other, as the results are the same.
Celibacy, contraception, sterilization, and abortion are therefore one and the
same - interruptions of the natural reproductive process. Celibacy is perhaps
the most extreme as its practice denies the practitioner's basic biological
programming. Abortion is perhaps the most short-sighted, as it is a painful
and expensive procedure that, in all honesty, can be avoided by thinking
ahead. Certainly it makes no difference which method one chooses, but one can
certainly see that contraception or sterilization have slight advantages.
Reason tells us that humans no longer have the luxury of total reproductive
freedom if the planet is to support a great diversity of life.
I'm not a hypocrite, at least. I've had a vasectomy and my wife and I have no
children.
I hope this letter helps. Please use it in any way, and feel free to write.
Ike
-- Ike Hall "This train, with grey tubes that houses Amarillo, Texas people's thoughts, their very remains ike@dns.genesis.net and belongings" -Captain Beefheart http://www.genesis.net/ike/ike.html Email for PGP key