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Abortion Ban Blocks Chemo for Cancer Teen

'My daughter's life comes first,' says Santo Domingo mom

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 26, 2012 1:02 AM CDT | Updated Jul 26, 2012 1:23 AM CDT

(Newser) – An abortion ban in the Dominican Republic is blocking chemotherapy treatment for a pregnant teenager with leukemia. The 16-year-old girl, who's nine weeks pregnant, needs aggressive chemotherapy to fight acute leukemia. But the treatment would likely end the pregnancy, so it's being withheld. The girl's mom is pleading with doctors to treat her child. "My daughter's life is first. I know abortion is a sin and that it goes against the law, but my daughter's health is first," Rose Hernandez told CNN.

Doctors and administrators at the Semma Hospital in Santo Domingo, where the girl is a patient, are believed to be considering starting treatment, but may fear being prosecuted under the strict abortion ban, say observers.
Doctors fear prosecution if they begin treatment, say observers.
Doctors fear prosecution if they begin treatment, say observers.   (?lunar caustic)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 63 comments
gazon
Jul 26, 2012 12:29 PM CDT
My question is - WHY THE FREAK IS THE GIRL PREGNANT AT 16, ANYWAY??!!  Why are we not outraged that we do nothing to promote education and BIRTH CONTROL?  We cry out against abortion (and I am against abortion) - but we drop the ball in making sure that unwanted pregnancies never happen in the first place. I was never an unwed mother - by choice.  I have never been pregnant - by choice.  Years of using many birth control options and having a hysterectomy were my choices. Children are a choice, and a privilege.  Not a "right". Where is our sense of sexual responsibility??!!?? Why is there no pressure to protect our partners against AIDS and unwanted breeding?  If you cannot do this, too bad.  No sex for you, unless it's solo...
jpr11011
Jul 26, 2012 11:03 AM CDT
Untreated acute leukemia kills very rapidly. Sadly, a colleague's younger brother died of leukemia before chemo existed-he was diagnosed on May 6, 1956 and died on May 30, 1956 at age 7.  In fairness certain forms of leukemia can be far less aggressive, but living for months with it untreated is almost completely unheard of.  24 weeks is viability; she most likely won't make it that long without chemo.  It's sad but true-whatever your stance on abortion- that fetus/child is going to die no matter what.  I know of at least one Catholic bishop who says that in situations like that, one should choose the option that gives the most life. You can either save one and let the other die, or let both die in this situation. 
Twiny
Jul 26, 2012 10:50 AM CDT
Nine weeks? That's not a child yet, it's just a bunch of cells about the size of a grape that will become a child in a few more weeks. It's a moot point, as it is more than likely that the girl and her baby will be dead before she can carry it to term, murdered by stupid Christians and their idiotic laws. Don't sacrifice one to save the other, oh no, that makes too much sense. Let them both die so you don't have to make that choice and possibly offend your imaginary god. The only ones who should be prosecuted are the assholes who passed that law.

 
abortion • chemotherapy • leukemia • Santo Domingo • Domincan Republic • abortion ban • pregnant teenager

 
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