Serious about reducing abortion? Make women see an ultrasound of the procedure.

If pro-choice advocates are sincere with their words, wouldn’t they be happy to see fewer women choosing to have abortions as a result of technology’s ability to help ensure a fully-informed conscience? Since pro-choice advocates want to reduce the number of abortions as long as a woman’s right to choose remains intact, they should support a law that required women to watch a video of an abortion. In fact, proponents of choice would have the best of both worlds: more information for women on which to make a personal choice and fewer abortions. 

On the other hand, this proposal would not completely meet the objectives of the pro-life side, because abortion would still be legal. But pro-life advocates would be pleased that women are in a better position to make a decision that will affect the rest of their lives and their babies’ lives. They would also be happy about the dramatic drop in the number of abortions that would probably occur as a result of women having more information about abortion and its long-term consequences. 

If such a law passed, pro-life groups and pro-choice groups – both of whom are interested in reducing abortion – would need to step up their efforts to support women who choose to keep their baby in the midst of difficult circumstances. The two groups should ensure the availability of adoption services, financial assistance, counseling, and other services to these women.

Currently, several states have laws that require abortion providers to offer women the opportunity to view an ultrasound image of their baby before getting an abortion, according to the Guttmacher Institute. And two years ago, Republicans introduced a bill in Congress that would require abortion providers to perform an ultrasound and allow a woman to see the image before getting the procedure. Although the bill hasn’t gotten very far, it is a step in the right direction to finding a solution to the abortion issue. 

A requirement to watch an ultrasound video of an abortion itself would do the most good. The use of ultrasound technology on a national basis would ensure that women, not abortion peddlers, are making decisions about abortion. Like Abby Johnson, many of these women might say no to abortion after viewing the procedure – an outcome that would presumably please both pro-choice and pro-life advocates. So let us use technology’s ability to shape hearts and minds to reduce the number of abortions and bring healing to America’s most divisive issue. 

Zach Krajacic is a writer in Buffalo, N.Y.

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