I would like to respond to my friend, Hayes Gahagan’s OpEd “Reproduction and responsibility vital to the U.S. (BDN, Sept. 11). This is an important issue in the presidential election, especially because Democrats and Republicans differ on the issue. Although most people have their minds made up, an open, respectful discussion is still useful.

Hayes’ premise that Americans need to outproduce the “Islam-fascists” with a high birth rate is weaker than the premise that humans are already overpopulating the earth. The problem of overpopulation can be seen everywhere – global warming, abuse of resources, destruction of environment, etc. An article in the same issue, “Humans silently extinguishing fish species,” is an example.

Hayes’ statement “once life is conceived, there is a corresponding responsibility to nurture it,” is an admirable and ideal philosophy. And this confronts the biggest element of the issue – when does life begin?

I believe life begins with the birth of a healthy baby. Our age is determined from birth, not conception. Our creator has made us so that many fertilized eggs do not develop into a healthy baby for many different reasons.

Miscarriages and stillbirths are not uncommon.

There are many good reasons why a pregnant woman may want to have an abortion. Our society has no business making laws to force her to go through pregnancy that has significant complications that could lead to her death.

Hayes’ article did not address this point, however, I think Republican candidates favor making a law that would take away the abortion choice.

William Babson, Jr.

Sinclair