THE EDITOR, Sir:

I think teenage abortion is very controversial and there are many questions surrounding the moral and legal aspects of it. For teenagers facing abortion, it is a psychological, social and philosophical dilemma. Having an abortion is life altering. It not only may forever alter the life of the mother, but also takes the life of what was meant to be a child.

Many young teens and women in general suffer lifelong effects from abortion. To name a few, studies show that abortion can lead to increased chances of breast cancer, severe depression and an inability to cope with the outside world. Because of these effects the victim can become extremely violent and be hazardous to herself and others around her. She may have everlasting guilt feelings and a feeling of void. Abortions also occur with complications; some have resulted in death.

In considering abortion, all the options, alternatives and conse-quences must be examined. We can learn from others the effects that may not have been disclosed by some organisations that promote abortions for the big money business that it is. They do not personally have to live out their lives with adverse feelings or the severe physical risks.

Alternatives to abortion

Pregnancy is not usually the planned course for a young girl's life, but the alternatives to abortion will no doubt offer a wide path back to the life she had envisioned. Regardless of improving contraceptive methods and their wider distribution, pregnancy is till a possibility and termination must be considered. Abortion should not be regarded as a method of birth control, but as emergency treat-ment for individuals to whom the dangers and disadvantages of continuing the pregnancy outweigh those of ending it.

I am, etc.,

SUZETTE JACKSON

Excelsior Community College