We expect to be able to depend on the moral integrity of our elected officials to carry out their duties. This should occur in situations that might even result in their being unpopular with the general voting public.

The national Republican Party has backed away from the Pain-Capable Unborn Protection Act that would have prohibited abortions after 20 weeks gestation, on the grounds that this bill might alienate advocates of women’s rights.

There is medical controversy over the issue of fetal viability at 20 weeks gestation but not by 22-24 weeks gestation. Late or third trimester abortions are legal and performed at this time in pregnancy.

I am a retired pediatric surgeon and operated on many viable premature babies of this age and size. I assure you that they do respond to environmental stimulation and this unfortunately includes pain.

I will not argue with early-term abortions and the issue of post-delivery viability, but these late- term abortions kill viable infants and by means that result in pain. There may or may not be valid reasons to have an abortion, but not a late-term abortion.

I believe in women’s rights to control their body, but not to kill a baby for a matter of personal convenience, which unfortunately is too frequently the purpose. I am appalled that our elected officials do not accept it as their duty to be the effective voice for these humans who have no other way to preserve their chance at life.

This is being done to avoid alienating potential voters who might put them or retain them in public office. Do we want to be a society that allows a painful end of life as a legalized right?