China, at least, does forced abortion and has for many years. Here's a recent article on it: worldmag.com/articles/12903. (You've got to be a subsriber to read the whole thing, but the first couple paragraphs give the gist.) I've seen several articles about it over the years, although our mainstream media is usually too caught up in celebrity gossip and partisan mudslinging to notice actual atrocities going on in the world. I mean, really, who cares about people being butchered in some far-off corner of the world when obscure radio hosts are saying "ho?" Journalists have to prioritize.
I liked this story for a couple of reasons.
First because the alien was very cool: Scary and gross while at the same time sensitive and intelligent. It reminded me of the alien in Alien, with all its slimy, pointy menace, but it had feelings and morals to balance its lethal nature. Good character.
Second, the premise of a powerless child earning the respect of a powerful figure is also cool. The kid earns the alien's friendship, and even a place in his family, simply by taking the time to learn about and understand him. This shows the great importance and power of wisdom: A tiny push in the right spot can be more powerful than a bomb going off in the wrong one. Taking the time to understand a situation is very important, and the importance of educting oneself cannot be overstated. This story is a simple illustration of that principle, that a few wise words are better than a million ignorant ones.
Third, it was well-written and entertaining. Good prose.
Fourth, Steve is a good reader. As Listenener commented, the alien voice was good.
Lastly, because it spoke to the issue of abortion. I really appreciate that even the viscious assassin alien saw an unborn life as worth protecting, and the value of that life as more important than society's rules.
Another good contender for the Hugo award. I'm impressed by the diversity or these stories and by their intellectual depth. Great stuff.