by Andrew Beckett ¦ Wisconsin Radio Network ¦ 23 January 2008

A doctor who was practicing medicine before the Roe v. Wade decision fears what will happen if it's ever overturned.

It's been 35 years since the Supreme Court decision legalized abortions in the U.S. Dr. Gene Farley, a retired physician from Verona, remembers what it was like before that happened. He recalls trying to save the lives of many mothers in the 1950s who were dying from septic infections caused by unsafe abortions.

Wisconsin is one of only four states that still has a criminal abortion law on the books, which allows women and doctors to face felony charges. Farley is concerned the law would lead to women risking their lives if Roe v. Wade is ever overturned. He says making them illegal does not stop them from happening, and women who can't afford to go where abortion is legal will be forced to try unsafe methods.

Farley says it's frustrating to hear those who want to keep Wisconsin's criminal abortion ban on the books...because many of those groups also oppose teaching children about safe sex practices. He says learning about contraception is necessary to reducing the number of abortions performed.

Legislation being introduced at the Capitol would repeal Wisconsin's abortion ban.