The current attitude to abortion being expressed by so many
politicians is totally in conflict with an ecological view of
creation.
The manifold cruelties we inflict on our fellow creatures, human
or otherwise, stem from views that other life can be treated as
merely a means to an end.
The ecological destruction ravaging the planet reflects the view
that a tree, a species, a rainforest, or the earth itself is of no
intrinsic value, and suitable for sacrifice of economic, political
or social purposes.
We are often told that the criterion for life is 'independently
viable existence'.
Independent of what, may I ask? All life on earth is
interdependent, something we seem all too eager to ignore.
We depend on our own and on other species and on the biosphere
for our existence.
I don't expect my life would be viable for very long independent
of other people, not to mind the planet itself.
As individuals and as a society, we would do well to lose some of
our human-centred, egocentric arrogance and replace it with a
respect and care for all life.
Coun. David Healy,
(Green Party - Dublin)
The Universe
(3/5/92)