To the editor:
My granddaughter is six years old. She is kind and funny. She loves swimming, learning, singing, dancing, games, hugs, exploring and, well, practically everything. Her Father’s Day card for me says she loves how I make her “laf.” It was extraordinary spending time with her over the weekend and watching my daughter be such an amazing mom. She and her husband have poured so much love and thoughtfulness in their daughter’s direction.
So, here is an interesting thing. This little one was born through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Her parents were thrilled to finally have their child. The world would be a poorer place without that dear and sparkling human. A little over 2% of all babies in the USA are born each year with the help of IVF.
Meanwhile, Republicans in at least 13 states are proposing bills that would make IVF illegal. They would prevent these babies from existing at all.
Democratic Senators tried to move a bill forward that would protect IVF last week. Sherrod Brown voted for it, along with all the Democrats. J.D. Vance voted against, along with all but two of the Republican Senators. Yet they claim to be pro life and to be against government interference in our private lives.
Please help defend the rights of parents who passionately want to have children. Please allow young people like my granddaughter to live. Please vote for people who try to govern with wisdom and compassion.
John Schmieding
Athens, Ohio
