Burger - what you write comes across to me as if you feel that there is universal agreement in the medical community regarding intact D&X. There is not.
The main opposition to these bills comes from the medical community's dislike of being regulated. Doctors don't like it but that doesn't mean it isn't necessary nor does it mean that it isn't a proper function of government.
This JAMA article is objective and informative:
http://www.eileen.250x.com/Main/PBAinfo/jsc80006.htm
This section of the article outlines the various policies of the various medical groups.:
http://www.eileen.250x.com/Main/PBAi...6.htm#policies
ACOG = American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Quote:
In January 1997, ACOG released a Statement of Policy on Intact D&X . . .
Terminating a pregnancy is performed in some circumstances to save the life or preserve the health of the mother. Intact D&X is one of the methods available in some of these situations. A select panel convened by ACOG could identify no circumstances under which this procedure, as defined above, would be the only option to save the life or preserve the health of the woman. An intact D&X, however, may be the best or most appropriate procedure in a particular circumstance to save the life or preserve the health of a woman, and only the doctor, in consultation with the patient, based upon the woman's particular circumstances can make this decision. The potential exists that legislation prohibiting specific medical practices, such as intact D&X, may outlaw techniques that are critical to the lives and health of American women. The intervention of legislative bodies into medical decision-making is inappropriate, ill-advised, and dangerous.
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The primary objection to the ban is that ACOG doesn't like the government being involved in regulating medicine. Even ACOG admits that an intact D&X is never the only option. There are plenty of doctors who think that an intact D&X is never a better option than a D&E. Of course, there are doctors who disagree with them. But this is not a settled issue in medicine.
