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Scottish Research "Discovers" Morning-After Pill Does Not Reduce Abortion Rate

DUNDEE, Scotland, December 3, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - New research has again supported the position of the pro-life movement with the 'discovery' that wide availability of the Morning-After pill (MAP) does nothing to reduce the rate of abortion.

Dr. Sally Wyke, of Dundee University and director of the Scottish School of Primary Care, said, "Enthusiasm for distributing advanced supplies of emergency contraception may be misplaced as a strategy to reduce unintended pregnancy in the UK." Women, it turns out, fear being seen as immoral when asking for the abortifacients from doctors.

In recent years, social workers, journalists and legislators were shocked to discover that Britain has one of the highest rates in the world of pregnancy among un-wed teenage girls despite decades of intensive government efforts at sex-ed programmes in schools. In the face of this crisis, promoters of MAP have argued that making the drug available over the counter and from clinics and in schools to young girls will all but eliminate the problem of teenage pregnancy and abortion.

However, pro-life spokesmen have pointed out that MAP is itself a form of abortion and that making it freely available only sends a message that irresponsible sexual behavior is acceptable.

The researchers from Dundee University distributed MAP to 18,000 women aged between 16 and 29 in Lothian. The women did not want to use the supplies said Wyke. "They feel that, if you have to go and ask for emergency contraception, then you have been a bit naughty - a bit silly - and people will think that you are very promiscuous."

By no means, however, will this new information sponsor a re-evaluation of the wisdom of widespread distribution of abortifacients and artificial contraceptives. Dr. Wyke immediately followed her comment and, apparently not grasping the reasons why a MAP program was bound to fail stated, "More radical solutions to getting it to the women who need and want it will have to be found."

Critics would call that proposal no less than adding more fuel to the fire.

Hw

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