Fallacy of ‘late-term abortion’

The article on the assassination of Dr. Tiller (June 11) was excellent.

I appreciate that the writer avoided the phrase “late-term abortion.” This term has been adopted by the media and unfortunately even many people who are for reproductive choice repeat it unthinkingly. It has no medical meaning, but like “partial-birth abortion” was concocted by anti-choice forces to conjure up a horrible image of a 9-month-old baby being killed.

Don’t let the anti-abortion zealots create and manipulate the language used to frame this issue. Words are powerful. As advocates for women let us use words that have scientific meaning, not terms that are meant to vilify and confuse.

It is also important to know why women must resort to therapeutic, medically necessary abortion in the second or third trimester. The main reason is that severe fetal anomalies, often incompatible with life, have been discovered by sonograms performed at 20 weeks or later. Women with wanted pregnancies are faced with a tragic situation.

Also causing delay in obtaining abortion are lack of money and/or lack of local abortion providers. Very young women or girls may be unaware of their pregnancy or in denial. Pregnant women may also develop life-threatening illnesses. These are all heart-wrenching scenarios to which Dr. Tiller responded with compassion and great bravery.