Selective Birth in Twin Pregnancy

Abstract

To the Editor: Is killing a fetus in utero without its evacuation governed by the same principles as abortion? Kerenyi and Chitkara seem to assume that the two situations are identical (June 18 issue).¹ But a right to abortion may be limited to evacuation of the uterus and may only allow destruction of the fetus when destruction is a reasonably unavoidable consequence of the evacuation.² Such an approach is consistent with basing the right to abortion on the right to privacy, which encompasses personal autonomy or self-determination — the right to do what one wishes with one's own body. For . . .