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WASHINGTON, October 7, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A report by Johns Hopkins University on a primitive abortion device called a Manual Vacuum Aspirator has exposed another deception by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The Population Research Institute (PRI), which has been the lead group exposing the complicity of the UNFPA in China’s coercive one-child policy, has often criticized the UNFPA for mass distribution of Manual Vacuum Aspirators (MVAs) to war zones and third world countries.  However, UNFPA has always denied their MVAs were to be used for abortions.  A press release last week from Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions reveals that not only are the devices being used for first trimester abortions, but they are also being suggested for second trimester abortions as well.  The Hopkins release is entitled, “Manual, low-tech method for 2nd trimester abortions found safe and effective—- Useful in developing countries.”  A Hopkins-led study compared MVAs to their electric counterparts finding them comparably ‘safe’ for second trimester abortions.  Moreover, the Hopkins release says “The manual instrument is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for first-trimester abortions but had not been tested for second-trimester abortions.”  Scott Weinberg, spokesman for PRI, told LifeSite that the devices have not been approved by the FDA for abortions.  “Manual Vacuum Aspiration is so substandard a procedure that it should not be used anywhere,” said Weinberg. “It’s a major concern that Johns Hopkins supports MVA second trimester abortion.”  Weinberg said PRI has “evidence showing that UK-funded Marie Stopes performs MVA abortions under the guise of post-abortion care in Kenya where abortion is illegal.”  Moses Ferdinand, director of the Marie Stopes clinic in Mbale Kenya, revealed to PRI that MVA abortions are performed under the title “PAC” or post-abortion care.  “Depending on the courage of the medic,” Ferdinand said, an MVA abortion can be performed on a woman “past 16 weeks gestation.” (He admitted that some women may cry at this point.)  “Thousands of these hurtful devices have been callously delivered to third world countries by UNFPA, they should be ashamed,” concluded Weinberg.  See the Johns Hopkins release:  https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/press/2003/September/030930.htm