To the editor:

Atty. Gen. Phill Kline’s lawsuit against Gov. Kathleen Sebelius asks the court to determine that life starts at fertilization when “a new, unique and genetically distinct human being is formed, distinct from its host while dependent upon her.” He also wants to keep the state from using Medicaid funds to pay for abortions for low-income women in cases of rape or incest, or even if the life of the woman is endangered (Journal-World, Aug. 19).

It may be difficult to envision a fertilized egg as a human being, but there is certainly at least one unique human involved in any pregnancy. That is the pregnant woman, here called the “host.” Barbara Duke’s excellent letter (Aug. 23) took the “host” term to indicate parasite-host relations. I will consider a hospitality metaphor. In cases of rape and incest, the “guest” was not invited. If the host is prosperous or insured, the “guest” may be legally expelled. If a low-income woman must depend on Medicaid, the guest must be entertained for nine months.

If an invited “guest” threatens the life of the “host,” that guest may be expelled, if the host is prosperous or insured. But a low-income “host,” dependent on Medicaid, must continue to entertain the “guest,” until death, or childbirth, or both occur. For advocates of the right to life, even of an egg, the life of a low-income woman, a “host,” is not valued. Is that compassionate conservatism?

Mary Davidson,

Lawrence