Dear editor,

For decades, the decriminalization of abortion has been justified on the basis of reducing maternal deaths from illegal abortions.

Nevertheless, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), an international pro-choice association, recognizes that legal abortion has seen an alarmingly growing rate of maternal death.

For example, in South Africa between 2005 and 2007, this mortality rate has increased 20 times, exceeding 48 times the same rate on the Mauritius Islands, where the law protects the unborn.

Ireland bans abortion: it has the lowest rate in the world. But in many countries, post-abortion deaths are not recorded as such. In the U.S., legal abortions are the fifth leading cause of death in pregnant women.

Women who've had abortions are twice more likely to develop embolisms, haemorrhages, infections, breast, ovaries or liver cancer, uterine perforation, cervical lacerations and placenta previa in subsequent pregnancies, ectopic pregnancy, pre-term birth and risk of abnormal placenta development. All of these complications may cause disabilities in infants.

Also, abortions may increase promiscuity, drug abuse and even eating disorders. Politicians who promote legal abortion are truly a threat to the public.

Maria Catalan
Barcelona, Spain
evacat66@gmail.com