Pro-abortion activists have used the Zika outbreak as a pretext to push for liberalisation of abortion laws in Brazil and other South American countries.
The Zika virus, which is carried by mosquitos, usually only causes mild symptoms such as itchy rashes and conjunctivitis. But the World Health Organisation (WHO) says that it believes Zika may lead to complications, if a pregnant woman contracts the virus.
Although the link between Zika and microcephaly has not yet been confirmed, fears have been raised that when an expectant mother contracts the virus, her child may be at risk of developing microcephaly in the womb.
Babies born with microcephaly have abnormally small heads, often because their brains have not developed fully. Depending on the condition’s severity, symptoms can also include difficulties with speech, learning and balance, club feet and seizures. The most severe cases of microcephaly can be fatal if the brain is so underdeveloped that it cannot regulate vital functions
The WHO has declared the Zika virus to be a public health emergency of international concern, because of the believed links with microcephaly. Since late last year, there have been around 4,000 reported cases of microcephaly in Brazil.
Petition to Brazil’s supreme court
Brazil, alongside many other Latin American countries, is known for its pro-life laws. Sadly, however, pro-abortion activists are now lobbying for Brazil and other countries affected by Zika to liberalise their abortion laws – allegedly on behalf of mothers who may have been infected with the virus.
At present, abortion is only legal in Brazil if the mother’s life is in danger or in cases of rape.
Other Latin American countries have similar restrictions, and in Chile, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua and El Salvador, it is completely illegal.
Pro-abortion groups are to petition Brazil’s supreme court in two months’ time to allow women who may have contracted the virus to have an abortion.
Abortion on demand
Microcephaly is usually undetectable by ultrasound until the third trimester, or late into the second trimester. Many cases of microcephaly cannot be diagnosed until after birth.
Concerns have been raised that to legalise abortion for microcephaly would mean that brutal late-term abortions would take place. Such abortions can involve saline, lethal injections and even dismemberment of the baby.
In addition, only 20% of people who contract the Zika virus show symptoms of infection. The vast majority of cases where infants were at risk of microcephaly would therefore remain unknown.
To legalise abortion for suspected cases of the virus would not only be discriminatory toward babies with a disability, it could lead to abortion on demand, if there was no way to verify that the woman indeed was infected.
Andrea Williams of Christian Concern has said that every effort should be centred on clearly identifying the cause of this wave of microcephaly and in developing a real solution.
"That the abortion lobby is using this health scare to promote a liberal agenda is tragic, if unsurprising. What is needed is to support these women who have babies born with this condition.
"Whilst vaccines are developed, relief efforts should focus on educating people on how to minimise risk of exposure to the virus," she added.
Life with microcephaly
Whilst microcephaly can sometimes result in serious impairments, this is not always the case.
Ana Carolina Caceres is a Brazilian journalist. Born with microcephaly, she decided to speak out against the discriminatory claims that those with her condition should be aborted.
Speaking to the BBC, the 24 year-old said that, at birth, the doctor gave her "no chance of survival".
The doctor also told her mother: "She will not walk, she will not talk and, over time, she will enter a vegetative state until she dies".
Ms Caceres went on: "But he - like many others - was wrong."
Ms Caceres describes herself as a "fulfilled, happy woman", reporting that, although she had to have several operations as a baby and used to suffer from seizures, she no longer needs medication. She was able to graduate from university and has also learned to play the violin.
"Microcephaly is a box of surprises," she said.
"You may suffer from serious problems or you may not. So I believe that those who have abortions are not giving their children a chance to succeed.
"I survived, as do many others with microcephaly. Our mothers did not abort. That is why we exist."
She said that when she heard that activists want to legalise abortion for babies with her condition, she felt "offended and attacked".
She also said that more access to treatment should be prioritised:
"I believe that abortion is a short-sighted attempt to tackle the problem. The most important thing is access to treatment: counselling for parents and older sufferers, and physiotherapy and neurological treatment for those born with microcephaly….
"Microcephaly is an ugly name but it's not an evil monster," she added.
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Related Coverage:
Abortion Activists Attempt to Use Zika Virus Outbreak to Legalize Abortion (Popular Research Institute)
Zika virus: Brazil journalist speaks out over microcephaly fear (BBC)
Zika outbreak: What you need to know (BBC)