title: Selective Reduction: "A Soft Cover for Hard Choices" or Another Name for Abortion?
abstract: Selective reduction and abortion both involve the termination of fetal life, but they are classified by different designations to underscore the notion that they are regarded as fundamentally different medical procedures: the two are performed using distinct techniques by different types of physicians, upon women under very different circumstances, in order to further dramatically different objectives. Hence, the two procedures appear to call for a distinct moral calculus, and they have traditionally evoked contradictory reactions from society. This essay posits that despite their different appellations, selective reduction and abortion are essentially equivalent.
authors.affiliation: Professor of Law at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law, in San Francisco, CA. She received her A.B. in Physics and Chemistry from Harvard College, and her J.D. magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in Cambridge, MA.
authors.forename: Radhika
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D018607:Pregnancy Reduction, Multifetal / Q000941:ethics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D057545:Social Stigma; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014481:United States