Welcome to Abortion 101

New York City's plan to expand abortion training takes effect next month, and it comes at a crucial time for the abortion industry, which is running out of doctors to kill unborn children. The abortion-training regime may have a nationwide impact. One in every seven of the nation's physicians trains in NYC. The state Right to Life Committee warned of "devastating" consequences once these obstetrics and gynecology residents start practicing. The NYC plan requires all OB-GYN residents to take abortion training-unless they opt out on moral or religious grounds. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the city's liberal Republican mayor, is an enthusiastic backer. So are abortion-industry officials, who fear an abortionist shortage. Of the roughly 2,000 who perform abortions, more than half are over age 50. This means the abortion industry needs new blood, so to speak. If the program thrives "we'll have changed the face of abortion provision in this country," said Cristina Page of the New York NARAL branch. But even if the supply of abortionists grows, new technology may shrink the demand for abortions. General Electric has just rolled out its new "4D" ultrasound device that the company says provides "live-action images of your unborn child." (See Cal Thomas's column, p. 20.)

-Chris Stamper