On 12 Dec 2008, at 07:38, Mike Sims wrote:

> Can anyone give me an example of a valid scientific reason to
> perform a late term abortion such that the hosting (mother) organism
> would actually die if the late term abortion were not performed?

Define late term. In any event this is a medical question. If a
women's doctors agree that there is a medical risk to a pregnant women
(and mental illness is a medical condition as well) then the women's
rights always trump the rights of the foetus.

This is the decision of the women who is pregnant and hers alone.
Others, such as the father, have an input, but the final decision on
whether to abort is up to the women within the terms of the law in
whatever jurisdiction. If the women is unable to make the decision for
health or other reasons then it is then her doctors or, if necessary,
the courts who should decide.

>
>
> I'm talking specifically about human organisms of course.

I'm talking about women.

Ian