Partial ban

Why is "partial birth abortion" such a big controversy?

1. It is such a morally repugnant practice that even the strongest pro-choice advocates have to flinch at supporting it. The objects of such a procedure are not just a clump of undifferentiated cells.

2. Roe vs. Wade, which, for better or worse, is the law of the land on abortion, calls for increasing justification of state involvement the further along a pregnancy goes. Banning partial-birth abortion would not upset this precious precedent.

If it all comes down to one thing -- whether those who say the procedure is never necessary to potect the health of the mother are right or whether those who say it is sometimes necessary are right -- fine; put in an exception for the health (but not the "well-being") of the mother.