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Nada L. Stotland, MD
University of Chicago (Ill) Medical Center

JAMA. 1993;269(17):2210.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

In Reply.

—The personal feelings of Drs Bishop, Josephson, Belding, and Dowling are telling, but their arguments are not. As for feelings, I personally share their dismay about abortion. I deplore the circumstances that all too often make women feel that abortion is their only real option. Like Dr Blake, my feelings focus on the physical and emotional health of women and their families, people who have already been born. I do not lack feelings for the conceptus, but I have stronger feelings about unwanted children, blighted lives, and the morbidity and mortality of illegal abortions.

However, scientific medicine is based on evidence, not feelings. The burden of proof for the designation of a disease lies on its proponents. Dr Koop, who was an outspoken opponent of abortion when selected as US Surgeon General, understood and observed this rule. No doubt some women are unhappy and some become or continue . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

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