Dr. Martin Haskell D&X Description
This paper entitled “Dilation and Extraction for Late Second Trimester Abortions” written by Dr. Martin Haskell is a general overview on the procedure that is known to the general public as a partial birth abortion. The conversation that Dr. Haskell is entering here is a tumultuous one especially when this paper was written in 1992. Dr. Haskell’s work popularized the procedure that previously was relatively unknown. This paper popularized the D&X procedure and inserted it into political debates. While Dr. Haskell’s goal was simply to advocate for a procedure he believed to be safer than the alternatives, he inadvertently gave ammunition to the PBA ban movement. Partial birth abortions are medically known as an intact dilation and extraction procedure (referred to as a D&X throughout this exhibit). In the early to mid 1990s there were serious qualms about whether this procedure was humane or not [12]. The other concern of this was whether the procedure was even safe for the patient in question. Aborting a second trimester fetus was a complex issue throughout the 20th century with many different procedures being proposed as the best. The alternatives to D&X procedures of the time were riddled with issues such as infection, an issue that plagued abortion procedures of the mid 20th century [13]. Dr. Haskell argues that since D&X procedures use no injected agent to terminate the fetus the risk of infection goes down drastically. While typically D&X procedures are done late in a pregnancy and in cases of emergencies, Dr. Haskell wanted to market the D&X procedure as a safe alternative to the common elective abortion procedures used at the time. This paper presents a good medical argument for the safety of D&X procedures as it describes the it in great length and detail. This paper was picked up by the “Priests for Life” organization and used to demonstrate how allowing these D&X procedures could turn into the elective “killing of babies” whenever someone felt like it [14]. The pro-life religious leaders used Dr. Haskell’s paper to show that despite what the pro-choice side was arguing, D&X procedures were in fact being used for elective abortions. The “Priests for Life” organization even mentioned reading Dr. Haskell’s paper in several sermons in order to show how gruesome abortion procedures could be.
[12] “Partial-Birth Abortion.” USCCB. Accessed April 15, 2023. https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/abortion/partial-birth-abortion.
[13] “Alternatives to Dilation and Curettage Procedure.” HCF. OVHC. Accessed April 15, 2023. https://www.hcf.com.au/preparing-for-hospital/dilation-and-curettage/alternatives-to-dilation-and-curettage.
[14] Pavone, Fr. Frank. “Partial Birth Abortion.” Abortion - Pro Life - Partial Birth Abortion. Priests for Life, April 18, 2007. https://www.priestsforlife.org/partialbirth.aspx.