This month, the majority of people in Washington approved a ballot measure that restricts the practice of trapping animals with steel-jawed traps. I suppose that the voters have made the “humane” choice in this matter. I am surprised and, frankly, disillusioned by some of the implications of this vote, however. It is astounding to me that the majority of people in this state appear to be more concerned about providing wild creatures with protection than they do about protecting the lives of unborn humans.

We live in an amazing world. Our technology is changing the world. With recent advances in genetic research, we are looking toward a future in which we might engineer our offspring. Isn’t it human nature to want the best, especially here in America? I wonder, though, what will happen to the imperfect fetuses in those days? Since we have set the precedent that unborn human life is expendable, will future parents decide to abort the babies that don’t measure up?

Will they decide to abort a fetus that would be born blind? Then will there be no more Stevie Wonders or Ray Charles. Blind and deaf? Helen Keller. And on and on.

Our scientists are engaged in a noble pursuit – to find ways to prevent human suffering. But because we are building a society that devalues the most defenseless of its citizens, what will happen to the people who aren’t blessed with the best genes? Will the people who have triumphed over physical limitations become more and more rare? No more the victorious human spirit?

The apostle Paul wrote to his protg, Timothy, “There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Have we arrived in the world that Paul predicted? As a Christian, I find hope in Paul’s conclusion to the above verses, “But they will not get very far because, in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.” (2 Tim. 3:9)

There are many people on both sides of the abortion issue who are passionate and dedicated to their beliefs. Oddly, there was precious little to be seen in the recent national debate about this crucial issue. I pray that citizens in Washington and the rest of the country will not forget about this debate. We do not agree at deep and fundamental levels. But please, let’s keep talking about it. It really is a matter of life and death.

Everett