Since Polly Rothstein has once again come to the defense of Pro-choice, it seems to be an appropriate time to go into this matter in greater depth. Pro-choice. which sounds so democratic simply means the choice between nurturing a growing human being till birth or bringing an abrupt end to this human life by an abortion - a euphemistic term for baby-killing.

When a woman has decided to have her baby killed, then once again the question of "choice** arises. This time. however, the decision is not hers but that of her abortionist 'doctor." He must choose the method of destruction and this, in turn, depends on the baby himself. If he is not too far advanced in his development and is small enough. he may he sucked out of the womb (suction method) somewhat in the manner in which a vacuum cleaner pulls dust and dirt out of a rug.

If the baby has grown too large for this treatment. then the doctor may elect to perform a D&C (dilatation and curettage.) The baby is dissected and removed from the womb piece by piece. Now this is a bit grisly, so some of the more squeamish abortionists resort the saline method. A toxic saline solution is injected into the amniotic fluid in the womb - into the life support port system of the developing baby. The baby is poisoned and horribly burned. This method has one advantage for the doctor. He doesn't have to see the results of his work because a day or two later. the woman will deliver a dead baby (in the manner of a natural birth) usually at home but certainly and safely out of his sight.

Of course, all of this carnage (amounting to over one million babies a year) takes place under the most sterile and scientific and (legal! ) conditions. There is no back alley atmosphere at a baby-killing clinic - potted plants, pastel colors, soft music - yet the end result is exactly the same - a dead baby.

All thing brings up two vexing questions. It is not clear nor is it ever made public what disposition is made of these products of conception, but our imagination can conjure up a veritable chamber of horrors. Are these pitiful remains wrapped up in newspaper and disposed of as so much garbage? Or are they thrown together higgildy - piggildy into a trash can so that it is impossible to determine how many tiny bodies have been dispensed with? Or are they thrown into an incinerator? Or what? It makes you feel a bit sick, doesn't it?

Also, what happens if a baby survives the violence done to him and emerges alive from his ordeal? Since the avowed intent of the abortion was the death of the baby, is the abortionist!: obliged to kill him? Can he be sued for malpractice if the baby lives? If he must kill him, how will he do it. Does he just allow the baby to lie unattended until he dies? Or does he take positive action by smothering or strangling the child? Or what? Quite a dilemma of the doctor I must say.

In view of such violence and bloodshed. it is rather difficult to see how anyone can uphold the so-called "right" of a woman to have an abortion. but this is what the proponents of pro-choice are defending.

 

DOROTHY McHUGH Yonkers