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Magic Bullets, Dangerous Shields
Katha Pollitt’s clarion essay [“Magic-Bullet Birth Control,” June 8] is a stark indictment of male politicians who want to make pregnancy irreversible. Their fetal protectionism imposes sectarian religious doctrine on our “free” country, denying women—mostly poor—a choice. Nations that do better in maternal and child health allow safe abortion as an option, while promoting contraception. Conservatives also oppose end-of-life choice, reflecting the religious tenet—starting with Adam and Eve—that human will is evil. As with the fetus, we sanctify patients in permanent vegetative states, such as Terri Schiavo.
E. JAMES LIEBERMAN, MD POTOMAC, MD.
I had an immediate, visceral reaction to Katha Pollitt’s column. I am a victim of the Dalkon Shield and have almost died twice, had two surgeries, and was hospitalized an additional four…
