Sir: There is a point to make in support of
Charles Moore's admirable article on being granted a Gold Card as proof of being Homo sapiens (Another voice, 23 Septem- ber). In fact Professor Singer himself makes it: 'Surely what is important is [sic] the capacities and characteristics that a being has.' Unfortunately for the foetus-and- baby-killing argument these may take years to show themselves. An obstetrician at a
teaching hospital put a case to his students: the husband a hopeless drunk, usually unemployed, the wife in poor health strug- gling with the poverty caused by her hus- band's vice, has already had one baby that lived less than a week, is once again preg- nant. What would the students advise? The majority had no doubt: abortion. 'Congrat- ulations, gentlemen,' said the obstetrician, `you have just killed Beethoven.' At the end of the last century when, in the absence of today's techniques, handicapped children died, there was one healthy baby who would no doubt have been given the Toynbee- Singer Gold Card. Born 20th April 1889 in Vienna, he was christened Adolf.
The Astbury twins may write another Grosse Fugue, or found a political move- ment that will bring misery to millions; or they may lead unremarkable lives, perhaps giving pleasure to those who will know them, perhaps not. Life is a chaotic muddle and mess, a complete gamble. We, and our descendants, must take our chance and not try to play the God we no longer believe in, handing out Gold Cards.
Charles Fyffe
52 Holmdale Road, London NW6
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