| Topic: |
Science > Abortion |
| User: |
"james g. keegan jr." |
| Date: |
02 Oct 2005 04:41:01 PM |
| Object: |
Top obstetrician adds voice to abortion pill debate |
Top obstetrician adds voice to abortion pill debate
October 3, 2005
Australian women should have access to a controversial abortion pill
freely available in other Western countries, according to a leading
obstetrician who says the pill would be useful to women in rural and
remote areas.
Writing in the Medical Journal of Australia, Caroline de Costa of James
Cook University said legalising the drug would overcome the inequities
Australian women faced in getting abortions. The drug, mifepristone, has
been banned in Australia since 1996, although doctors worldwide agree it
is a safe and effective form of early-term abortion.
"For many women the privacy and relative lack of invasion compared to a
surgical abortion is something they appreciate," Professor de Costa said.
"It is critical for many women in rural areas and women in some ethnic
groups whose access to surgical abortion is limited."
Mifepristone, formerly known as RU-486, is a synthetic steroid that can
be used to bring on a miscarriage when taken in conjunction with
prostaglandins, hormone-like substances, until about the ninth week of
pregnancy. Whereas surgical abortion involves a general anaesthetic and a
stay in hospital, with mifepristone women can take the pill and recover
in their homes.
Legislation introduced in 1996 at the behest of the Tasmanian independent
senator Brian Harradine in effect banned prescription of the drug unless
special dispensation was given by the federal health minister.
It is available as a medical alternative to surgical abortion in most
Western countries. Worldwide, it has been used to terminate about 2
million pregnancies, Professor de Costa said.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and
Gynaecologists is set to review its position on the drug next month. Its
official statement says mifepristone has "a proven role" in birth control
and that medical pregnancy termination is the preferred option of many
women.
Professor de Costa said that although the prevention of unwanted
pregnancies should be a primary public health goal, Australian women
should have the non-surgical option of pregnancy termi
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/top-obstetrician-adds-voice-to-
abortion-pill-debate/2005/10/02/1128191606658.html#
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| User: "Thomas T. Searcher" |
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| Title: Re: Top obstetrician adds voice to abortion pill debate |
02 Oct 2005 05:38:41 PM |
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Not only should women be able to buy the abortion pill, it should be
sold over the counter, by mail order, internet, and any way possible, at
the lowest possible price!
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