In Utero

"Science facilitated the swing of the pendulum. Three-dimensional ultrasound images of babies in utero began to grace the family fridge. Fetuses underwent surgery. More premature babies survived and were healthier. They commanded our attention, and the question of what we owe them, if anything, could not be dismissed.
"These trends gave antiabortionists an advantage, and they made the best of it. Now, we rarely hear them talk about murdering babies. Instead, they present a sophisticated philosophical and political challenge. Caring societies, they say, seek to expand inclusion into 'the human community.' Those once excluded, such as women and minorities, are now equal. Why not welcome the fetus (who, after all, is us) into our community?"

In the Los Angeles Times, Frances Kissling and Kate Michelman ponder the difficulties facing advocates for abortion rights.

And in The Washington Post, Rob Stein reports on the rise in use of RU-486.