Squabbling about balls of dividing cells, when exactly life starts, etc., is a time-honoured way of getting nowhere. The real issue, one which the Catholic hierarchy dishonestly skirts around, is how to provide the education, the respect for self and others, and the contraceptive means and advice for both men and women, so that women don't find themselves needing abortions in the first place. Instead, every obstacle is put in the way, then, when it happens, the sanctimonious moralising begins. It would be laughable if it wasn't so tragic. The Catholic church is the very last outfit that should expect to have a respectable hearing on this subject.