The UNM Reproductive Justice Coalition hosted a debate between anti-abortion and abortion rights groups in the SUB on Monday.
Representatives of the Right to Life Committee of New Mexico and NARAL Pro-Choice New Mexico participated in the discussion.
Molly Maguire-Marshall, RJC organizer, said the group focuses on reproductive rights, access to health care, birth control and sex education.
She said the group decided to host this nonpartisan event because reproductive issues could be crucial in the upcoming election.
"We want to get the information out, to get people talking about the issues so people can make up their own mind," Maguire-Marshall said. "We think it's important for young people to have the right information."
Dauneen Dolce, executive director of Right to Life, said getting the word out is important to both sides.
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"Students get misinformation, and the most important thing is to share the truth," she said. "We won't have a solution to the problem unless everyone understands the facts and understands what solutions we're seeking."
Heather Brewer, the executive director of the state NARAL Pro-Choice, said political decisions about reproductive rights have a huge impact on students because many are living on their own and experiencing new responsibilities.
"The joys and the difficulties in the ability to make choices in their lives and their reproductive health care is enormous," she said. "I think every student needs to be paying attention not only to both sides of the debate but to what they think personally is right."
Alice Barela attended the debate to support the anti-abortion point of view and give a voice to the unborn, she said.
"It is untenable and unconstitutional to be pro-choice," she said.
The debate began with a discussion of Roe v. Wade and how the upcoming election could affect the 30-year-old ruling.
Student Terri Coleson also attended the debate and said the issue of abortion is not going away whether it is legal or not.
"I feel that there are better options than abortion," she said. "I think abortion should be the last option - at the same time, a woman has a right to make her own decision."
The topic of late-term partial birth abortion was a point of contention between the debaters and drew a response from the crowd as well.
Dolce described in detail what happens to a fetus at the termination of a late-stage pregnancy.
Brewer said neither she nor Dolce were medical doctors and therefore were not qualified to discuss the details of physical consequences associated with abortion.
She gave an example of a woman who was in her 32nd week of a planned pregnancy when she encountered health problems and needed a late-term abortion. Brewer said the fetus was never going to survive due to medical conditions and that the abortion was necessary.
Dolce spoke at length about additional laws still needed concerning consent to an abortion.
Dolce said spousal consent should be required because a spouse has the right to give input on such a big decision.
"Half the DNA is there, and having a loving interest is (part of his) responsibility," she said.
Dolce said parental consent should also be required, as parents have the right to step in when minors are considering an abortion.
"Minors do not have the ability to make good decisions," she said. "Parents absolutely should have a right."
Brewer said 82 percent of abortion cases have parent involvement; however, 18 percent do not go to parents, possibly due to shame.
She said education is the key to reducing unwanted pregnancies and improving reproductive health care.
"It's a strong contributing factor of success in a community," she said.
Dolce said the morning-after pill is an option many turn to instead of abortion, but it is a powerful, quick-fix drug given to young women with no knowledge of how it could affect their future fertility, she said.
"It's a short-term solution," she said. "We have not changed our behavior."
Brewer said the morning-after pill is a great method in cases of contraception failure or emergency and helps prevent unwanted pregnancies.
"It's a fantastically safe, fantastic form of birth control," she said.
In the end both sides found some common ground in wanting to reduce unwanted pregnancy.
Dolce and Brewer agreed to help each other lobby to improve sex education in schools.
"We will work with anyone who wants to get a solution," Dolce said.
