Ken Mosesian

"Is The AFA pro abortion?"
Ken Mosesian, Acting Executive Director, The AFA

That was the first question posed by one of our long-time supporters who was taken aback by a term that I had recently used: "reproductive choice."

She's a thoughtful person, so we were able to have a really good conversation about this topic. I shared with her that from our perspective "reproductive choice" spans all of the options when considering family building. It begins with real, accurate and age-appropriate sex education, including discussions of STD's and easy access to low cost or free contraception.

We know from a study done in Denmark and published in 2003 that because the Danes educate their children in this fashion, Danish teenagers, as compared to their American counterparts, engage in sex at a later age and with fewer partners. We also know that teen pregnancies are lower and there are far fewer abortions. Knowledge, it would seem, does equal power.

Beyond this real education and access to contraception, The AFA supports stem cell research, because at this time, it is apparent that stem cell research is the most effective way to create a breakthrough in finding the cures for many diseases and disabilities.

We support the right of all loving people to create a family, including those who are gay or lesbian, because we believe that families in all their diverse forms, strengthen society. We also know from the extensive study done by the American Pediatric Association that the children of gay and lesbian parents fare just as well as the children of straight parents. It seems that good parenting is the deciding factor in raising good children! That's why our website is loaded with useful information about fertility preservation, reproductive health and family building. It's why we offer a complete range of support services. It's why we advocate for your rights every day of the week.

We support universal health care, including pre- and post-natal care for all women. We support providing real options for women, especially young girls, who are faced with unwanted pregnancies and need a way out. Access to trained therapists and the "adoption option" are essential for this to work.

We do not support legislation, such as Amendment 48 in Colorado that would ascribe all legal and constitutional rights of personhood to an embryo "at the point of conception." The effects of the amendment passing would be, among other things, to open the door to government interference in infertility treatments and stem cell research.

If a woman was diagnosed with cancer while pregnant, she could be denied treatment because it might endanger the fetus. And, perhaps most chillingly, all abortions would be illegal. If a woman was raped or was the victim of incest, there would be no recourse to abortion. If it was determined that the fetus was hopelessly deformed, there would again be no recourse to abortion.

Which brings us back to where we started. No, The AFA is not "pro abortion." We would hope that they become increasingly rare and always remain safe and legal. And, yes, we do support "reproductive choice" and everything that entails.

The woman who called me concluded our conversation by saying that the topic was bigger than she could get her head around. And indeed it is. But we're doing our best to make the information accessible and understandable. And ultimately, we're here to walk with you on your journey, by educating you about your options, helping you to ask the difficult questions, assisting you in making the tough decisions, and finally supporting the choices you make.

Wishing all of you the very best,

Ken Mosesian, Acting Executive Director