Edition: U.S. / Global

Abortion Ban Protects Health of Mothers

Published: November 24, 1995

To the Editor:

"Outlawing an Abortion Method" (editorial, Nov. 4) attacked the partial-birth abortion ban, calling it "harsh and intrusive."

Ironically, these are the words I would use to describe partial-birth abortion itself, which is particularly harsh and intrusive for the baby involved -- who is partially delivered alive before having his skull punctured with scissors and his brain sucked out.

As sponsor of the partial-birth abortion ban in the House of Representatives, I want to address several inaccuracies in the editorial.

First, the editorial states that the bill would "erode the judgment in Roe" that would allow for exceptions to "preserve the mother's life or health." This is false.

The bill contains a clear exception for circumstances where the use of the procedure is necessary to save the life of the mother.

As noted in the editorial, the provision protects the abortionist from both civil and criminal penalties if he "reasonably believed" the procedure "was necessary to save the life of the mother; and no other procedure would suffice for that purpose."

As to the mother's health, leading physicians have stated that partial-birth abortion is unnecessary and may actually pose risks to maternal health, such as uterine rupture and cervical incompetence.

The editorial also states that some late-term abortions are performed in cases of severe fetal abnormalities. But Martin Haskell and James McMahon, two abortionists who have discussed their use of the partial-birth abortion procedure, have stated that a significant number of the babies they abort are healthy.

But even in cases of severe fetal deformities, I do not believe the partial-birth abortion procedure is appropriate.

Abnormalities do not make babies any less human or any less deserving of humane treatment.

With more than two-thirds of the House members voting to ban this terrible procedure, I hope the Senate will join the House in supporting the ban on partial-birth abortions.

CHARLES T. CANADY Member of Congress, 12th Dist., Fla. Washington, Nov. 20, 1995