The subject of abortion has for the longest been an extremely controversial one and many people, especially here in Belize, have for the most part seemed content with just sweeping it under the rug. This is an issue, however, which not only affects women but in fact life on a whole and sooner rather than later, we will have to bring this subject to light.

The abortion controversy can easily be broken down into two distinct camps: those who oppose and call themselves pro-life and those who support and call themselves pro-choice and the quid and quos between the two pros have generated much strife.

In January of 1973, the United States Supreme Court handed down a judgement in the landmark case of Roe versus Wade and not since Pointus Pilate’s hand washing fiasco has a courtroom proclamation spurred such controversy. Jane Roe, whose real name was Norma McCorvey, is a Texas woman who successfully challenged an 1857 law which declared abortion illegal except in the case where it would save the life of the mother. An interesting aspect to this case is the fact that because it took so long for the Supreme Court to decide on the issue, Roe or McCorvey, had already given birth at the time of the ruling. Ironically enough, and by her own admission, McCorvey had derived so much joy and satisfaction from having a child that she has reversed her stand and is in fact right now a staunch pro-lifer.

Considering the fact that our law on this matter reads much like the old abrogated American version, it would seem that we could learn a lot from America’s twenty five year experience with Roe versus Wade. According to our laws, criminal code section 108, to be exact, any woman who indulges in or any person who assists in abortion procedures is liable for a prison term of up to fourteen years.

Interestingly enough, while hospital statistics show that as many as a thousand women have been rushed to our hospitals in a given year and many of these suffer from complications directly related to botched abortions, and while five years ago it was the most common cause of admissions into our hospitals, prison officials swear that to their knowledge, not one person is doing time for this crime.

Now this comment is not about whether abortion is immoral or unethical or whether pro-choice or pro-life is the proper way to go. But whether or not it makes any sense to keep on the books a law which in fact we do not adhere to and might actually be doing a whole lot more harm than good.

Of course the controversy in America created by the Roe versus Wade decision has far from died down and protest against abortion has actually escalated. They have gone from peaceful sidewalk protests in 1980 to clinic blockades, vandalism and even bombings. Since 1993 five doctors and clinic workers have been killed and zealous pro-lifers have vowed to keep up the protest indefinitely.

The fact does remain, however, that thousands of women used to lose their lives in makeshift butchershops set up in America’s back alleys and thousands more suffered from serious medical complications. With the availability of expert medical facilities and help, this part of the problem has at least been solved.

A couple of weeks ago in a reference to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, I spoke of a young woman who had lapsed into a coma under mysterious circumstances. According to reports, the lady had in fact died even before my story had aired and while the hospital and immediate family remain mum, reliable sources have been talking. Now had this been an isolated incident, it could have been considered nobody’s business, but considering the number of women who undergo the same risk each year, many winding up in the hospital as a result, it would seem that this case at least requires a little attention.

Abortion is a serious issue and obviously just having a law has not helped. Either we enforce it and start putting people in jail or we overturn it and allow women the proper medical option.