The University of Utah is offering a fellowship to train doctors in research, teaching and clinical practice in abortion and contraception. At least one legislator who opposes elective abortion is concerned that the state-owned university offers the fellowship. He says he wants to ensure that no state money is subsidizing the program.

We take a different view. Elective abortion is legal in the United States and has been held by the U.S. Supreme Court to be a constitutional right. Because elective abortions are routinely performed in this state, it should be part of the mission of Utah's only medical college to provide the best clinical and research education possible in abortion. Better education should result in better patient care. In our view, the creation of this fellowship at the university is praiseworthy.

This is not meant to downplay the moral dilemma of abortion. However, the decision of whether or not to obtain an elective abortion should remain with a woman and her doctor. Meanwhile, abortion providers should be well-trained and competent, just as in any other medical specialty.

As it happens, state money does not fund the fellowship, according to Dr. Kirtly Parker Jones, its co-director. If Rep. Carl Wimmer, the legislator who wants to ensure that is the case, decides to look into that assertion, fine.

On the larger issue of whether such a fellowship is justified, Dr. Jones made a persuasive case in Saturday's Tribune story. As she pointed out, women who are miscarrying come to hospital emergency rooms every day. They may be hemorrhaging and may require a therapeutic abortion to save their lives. When that is necessary, one would hope that the doctors who provide that care are skilled in the latest and best techniques. A botched procedure can render a woman sterile, or create other complications.

In the best of circumstances, a doctor who had specialized training, such as that provided by the fellowship, would be available to handle the most difficult cases.

Might that same doctor also perform elective abortions at some other place and time? Perhaps. University Hospital does not offer elective abortions, however.

The fellowship offers clinical, teaching and research training, including all methods of pregnancy termination and contraception. But it also includes diagnostic methods to confirm uterine and tubal pregnancy, ultrasound, pain management and research, among many other topics.

Utah should stand up for the best in medical training, research and patient care. We hope the Legislature would, too.