Dear Doctor:
Allow us to introduce you to the American Association of Pro Life Obstetricians/Gynecologists. We number 2,500 members and associates, and are recognized by ACOG as a special interest group within the College. Our "special interest" is to reaffirm the unique value and dignity of individual human life in all stages of growth and development from conception onward.
As an OB/Gyn resident, you stand at a defining point in your professional life. Strong voices within ACOG espouse elective abortion on demand as the standard of care for unwanted pregnancies. Often perinatologists are quick to recommend abortion as a "final solution" for defective inutero babies. You will, of necessity, need to develop your own values and practice regarding elective abortion. Be assured that there are many in this specialty who hold our view of the great value of all human life, and of the physicians role as caregiver for both the mother and her unborn child, rather than potential terminator of that child. We would encourage you to make this your own position.
On a practical note: we were successfully involved in opposing the 1995 ACGME attempt to mandate that every OB/Gyn resident must have elective abortion training. The resulting Federal legislation protects your right to follow your own conscience on this issue. In 1996, when ACOG officially opposed the Federal Partial Birth Abortion Ban legislation, we wrote a strong letter of protest to ACOG. PBA Ban will be a national issue again this legislative year. We will be glad to send you, on request, a copy of our letter detailing our position and reasoning.
In 1997, we highlighted information on the Abortion-Breast Cancer link. We continue to explore data on other elective abortion complications, including Post Abortion Syndrome, incompetent cervix, increase in pre-term deliveries, increased placenta previa rates and maternal mortality. We encourage our members to participate, as possible, with programs helping women with "crisis pregnancies."
Sincerely,
Michael J. Herzog
[Former] Executive Director, AAPLOG