Planned Parenthood’s good motives don’t excuse abhorrent practices

Contemporary liberal morality labels those concerned by Planned Parenthood’s practices as hysterics. Supporters defending the organization imply contraceptive distribution requires abortion services; and protecting women’s health requires crushing the heads and harvesting organs of late-term babies.

This morality expressed more outrage about crushing chicken’s heads than it did about Planned Parenthood’s self-admitted practices. Those secretly filming chicken mistreatment were called heroes; those filming Planned Parenthood’s self-revelations investigated as criminals.

Demeaning opponents, misstating facts, hiding truth and substituting political authority for moral right is the familiar pattern of this morality. Angie Williams claimed fetal tissue research has saved “literally millions.” The truth is unnecessary abortions have taken millions of lives, while the great clinical benefits have come from adult cell research.

Good motives don’t validate abhorrent practices. Contraceptive services don’t require mass abortions of convenience. Women’s health care doesn’t require mutilation of near-term babies. Defenders of innocent life do stand on higher moral ground, and true compassion produces life-honoring options.

This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 6:28 PM with the headline "Planned Parenthood’s good motives don’t excuse abhorrent practices."