Second-Trimester Abortion

To the Editor: I read with sadness the editorial by Dr. Rosenfield (Aug. 4 issue) 1 on second-trimester abortion. I wish to address one of the problems he cites: “Finally, there is a major problem in the United States with regard to the availability of providers of abortion services, particularly second-trimester procedures.” He states that 80 percent of counties in the United States have no such providers. Could it be that doctors know that the unborn child is human? Dr. Rosenfield, implying his approval, offers the view of a leading academician: “Practitioners have a social contract to meet the needs of . . .