I read Kyle Bristow's letter "Feminist, pro-choice views incompatible" (SN 2/09) and found it heavy in slanted language and light on scientific fact.

The statement that over 46 million "babies" have been aborted is absolutely false. The fact that over 46 million "fetuses" have been aborted in the United States is absolutely true. A baby is a baby only after birth and therefore no baby can be aborted. This is an example of slanted language used to play on the emotions of people.

Furthermore, the assumption that half of all aborted fetuses are female isn't true. A fetus or embryo in the womb does not develop genitals until the 12th week. A study done in 2001 by the Guttmacher Institute shows that nearly 88 percent of abortions are done by the 12 week of gestation. These aborted fetuses have no gender.

Bristow appeals to the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness in his letter. What of those rights pertaining to the woman? The matter was very eloquently articulated in the decision Roe v. Wade "The states are not free, under the guise of protecting maternal health or potential life, to intimidate women into continuing pregnancies."

Letters such as this often miss the important difference between pro-choice and pro-abortion. I myself would never have an abortion; however I feel that a woman should have the right to chose. In the future before you refer to those who are pro-choice as "hypocrites and deadly ones at that" please consider the facts.

Stacey Mattson
pre-veterinary freshman