Determining rights of unborn difficult but necessary

Is abortion just a religious matter about which the government should steer clear? Roe v. Wade was not decided on the basis of "freedom of religion," despite what many claim. The court majority in Roe ruled on the basis of an implied right to privacy under the Constitution. The Dobbs decision reversed that ruling, returning abortion to the legislative branch and the states.

Lawmakers should not impose religious beliefs. However, they certainly can apply science to the question of whether and when to restrict abortion.

An unborn child has a complete set of DNA, a sex, a blood type and developing organs. A point is reached in pregnancy when the fetus can feel pain.

A woman has rights, but so does an unborn child. Lawmakers must balance these rights, as difficult as that may be. A decent society does not tolerate having a healthy unborn child, of a healthy women, ripped apart in the womb. Can we at least agree on that?

Mike Streb

Iowa City