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U.S. Investigates Four Deaths Linked to Abortifacient RU-486

By Gudrun Schultz

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States, February 13, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The U.S. government has called for a special scientific investigation into the deaths of four California women, who died from a rare bacterial infection after taking the dangerous abortion drug RU-486.

Up to 20 scientists, who have studied the deadly bacteria Clostridium sordellii that caused the deaths, will look into the connection between the effects of the abortion pill and the bacteria’s presence in the women’s blood stream.

The abortion pill has been a source of intense controversy since it first appeared in France over 20 years ago. Opponents say it was never properly tested for safety although it has received extensive support from abortion advocates.

Ten women have died after taking the pill, including the four California deaths. There have been multiple cases of severe side effects, including haemorrage, with over 600 cases reported in the U.S. alone.

Questions around the safety of the abortion pill RU-486 have caused such intensive controversy in the U.S. that security for the May 11th conference will be unusually tight, an FDA official told the New York Times. Backlash from activists for the abortion pill has led to threats against officials for speaking out against the drug.

The conference, which will be held at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, will also look at a closely related bacteria, C-difficile, which has caused severe intestinal illness among residents in hospitals and nursing homes. The National Institutes of Health will also participate.
 
See related LifeSiteNews coverage:

Abortion Drug RU-486 Company Admits to Death of Five Women
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/jul/05071905.html

Public Documents Reveal Numerous RU-486 Complications
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/jan/05012403.html

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