South Dakota Physicians for Life Supports Initiated Measure 11

This is another ad which appeared in today's Rapid City Journal, on page F2. Still more doctors who understand and admit that Initiated Measure 11 is intended to save lives and end abortion as merely a form of convenience.

Measure 11, specifically stated is: AN ACT TO PROTECT THE LIVES OF UNBORN CHILDREN, AND THE INTERESTS AND HEALTH OF PREGNANT MOTHERS, BY PROHIBITING ABORTIONS EXCEPT IN CASES WHERE THE MOTHER’S LIFE OR HEALTH IS AT RISK, AND IN CASES OF RAPE AND INCEST.

South Dakota Physicians for Life represents more than 200 South Dakota Physicians.
We believe:

1. An unborn child is a whole, separate, unique, and LIVING HUMAN BEING (This was declared by the US 8th Circuit Court in June, 2008. The Federal Court ruled that a woman must be informed of this before she has an abortion.)

2. South Dakota citizens and the State of South Dakota have a duty to protect the rights and life of unborn children and the life/health of the pregnant woman (Measure 11, section 1).

3.Abortions should not be performed with the “INTENT of causing the termination of the life of an unborn human being” (Measure 11, section 2). Abortion used for birth control is wrong. In 2006, 97% of South Dakota abortions were performed when there was no medical reason at all (South Dakota Department of Health).

4.Measure 11 allows exceptions for the life and health of the mother. If an abortion is necessary to preserve the pregnant woman’s LIFE or to avoid serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of the pregnant woman’s HEALTH, the physician, as usual, is required to “make reasonable medical efforts to preserve the life of the pregnant woman and the life of her unborn child” while practicing “accepted standards of medical practice” (Measure 11, sections 3-4, 12). Any “unintentional injury or death of the unborn child is not a violation of this Act” (Measure 11, section 13).

5.Measure 11 provides exceptions for victims of RAPE and INCEST. he measure provides for the crime to be reported in a health care setting rather than a police station. here the victim can get help from certified rape counselors and medical professionals (Measure 11, sections 5-8). In 2006, less than 1% of South Dakota abortions were performed for rape or incest (South Dakota Department of Health).

6.Measure 11 was thoughtfully and very well written over an eight month period by the South Dakota Attorney General along with 11 legal experts. It was then petitioned by over 46,000 South Dakota voters and thus will be on the November 4, 2008 ballot.

7.Since a majority of South Dakotans polled in 2006 favored prohibiting abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or the life/health of the mother, Measure 11 reflects the will of the majority of South Dakota voters.

As members of the South Dakota medical community, we believe the goal of medical science and its practitioners is to preserve and protect human life, to prevent suffering, and to promote healing. We strongly affirm that a reverence for every human life, regardless of age or circumstance, lies at the root of all medical tradition. As your physicians, neighbors and friends, we profess that LIFE IS GOOD. We, along with the people of South Dakota, want to end abortion as birth control. A yes vote on Measure 11 is our chance to stand up for what is right and to represent the values of the people of South Dakota.