I’m using a NC for this because I think it’s a horrible topic and I feel a bit sick for thinking like this.
One of LL’s victims was a baby born at 30 weeks. Carla Foster induced an abortion at 34 weeks by acquiring abortion pills illegally.
I completely accept that there’s a difference between killing a living and wanted baby and having a late term abortion. But I’m finding the difference in attitudes astounding. For LL, the common view is she should burn in hell for killing a tiny vulnerable baby. For KF, a lot of people were defensive of her right to end a potential life at basically the same gestational stage.
I would like to make it clear that I consider myself pro choice and I think what Letby did was evil and abhorrent. But I’m finding it hard to reconcile the two cases. Can someone help me make peace with this?
Ethical dilemmas
Lucy Letby v Carla Foster
Thowaway · 21/08/2023 20:24
scoobysnaxx · 21/08/2023 20:27
Do you really not see a difference??
Ascparent · 21/08/2023 20:26
What!! There is no comparison. Lucy Letby murdered babies whilst in a position of trust with some sort of god complex!
Angrycat2768 · 21/08/2023 20:33
I would say that in the Carla Foster case, a distressed woman who was pregnant and made a terrible decision while under acute mental distress procuring an illegal abortion and putting herself in danger should not be in prison. A baby born at 30 weeks cannot survive without medical intervention. The person charged with keeping someone else's much wanted baby alive killed it.
Hippyhippybake · 21/08/2023 20:34
I’m pro choice and interested to read an answer to this as have also been dwelling.
Thowaway · 21/08/2023 20:38
Thanks, have been thinking about this for a few days and really weighed up posting as I didn’t want to be accused of being inflammatory but it’s really made me think about when life begins - especially with the two cases being so close
Hippyhippybake · 21/08/2023 20:34
I’m pro choice and interested to read an answer to this as have also been dwelling.
minou123 · 21/08/2023 20:38
You can't compare the two very different cases.
You have found 2 common denominators (women and babies) and are trying to force a comparison.
The reason you can't reconcile the 2 cases, is because it's impossible. You are essentially comparing apples and oranges, both are fruit but they are very different.
Thowaway · 21/08/2023 20:41
But as a PP said, surely the outcome for the victims is the same? Unless you’re assessing the damage for secondary victims (parents, etc).
For the record (I hope I don’t need to say this!) no one should kill a baby. But when is a baby a baby? The public opinion has been so so different in the two cases. My heart says LL is a monster and CF is a victim. I just want to make these make sense.
minou123 · 21/08/2023 20:38
You can't compare the two very different cases.
You have found 2 common denominators (women and babies) and are trying to force a comparison.
The reason you can't reconcile the 2 cases, is because it's impossible. You are essentially comparing apples and oranges, both are fruit but they are very different.
GirlsWithGuitars · 21/08/2023 20:39
Carla Foster did something to her own body that killed the baby inside it. At that point, the baby had no life outside its mother.
Lucy Letby killed babies that were already separate from their mothers.
I don’t actually think either were right. But surely you can see the difference?
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.