This is in response to Linda Newell's guest column dated Aug. 11. Linda asks the question “Why would men be so interested in allowing the government to tell a person with a uterus what they are not allowed to do with their own body?” After careful consideration, I think Linda may already know the answer.

Firstly, it generally takes two people in order for a child to be conceived, therefore the male partner may not agree totally with the women's decision to end the pregnancy. An abortion is not a simple medical procedure in the same way as compared to breast augmentation, tubal ligation or even a hysterectomy as it involves three people; the mother or pregnant person, the father, and the child with its own DNA and personhood.

Secondly, I find it odd that if a mother and/or her partner experience a miscarriage or premature delivery, everyone will do everything humanly possible to preserve that life but if the child is not wanted at the time, it can be discarded and has no worth.

Lastly, the question remains — is it the right of the mother alone to terminate the pregnancy or do the father and preborn child have any rights? I guess we will find out.

Noel Schulze

Highlands Ranch