PBA302H: Contraceptives, Abortifacients, Pills

UTSFL is neutral on the morality of contraception, however the question will arise and we do need to consider some of the issues involved with contraception that relate to the abortion question.

We need to understand the relationship between various forms of birth control and abortion as a backup to failed birth control. No form of birth control is 100% effective and preventing pregnancy after intercourse, and thus any approach to social relationships that involves intercourse but not the possibility of a children will inevitable raise the abortion question.

• Contraception itself doesn't necessarily end the life of another human being – but if it does, that's where UTSFL does take a stance in opposition
• http://www.abort73.com/abortion_facts/which_birth_control_methods_cause_abortion/
• Does the pill actually act as an abortifacient? https://blog.equalrightsinstitute.com/6-resources-whether-birth-control-pills-cause-abortions/ (Life Training Institute podcast, reasons for doubt)
  • However, if there's uncertainty about whether ot not a human being is being killed, shouldn't we err on the side of caution?
    • Demolition analogy (should we be sure the building is empty?)
    • Hunting “something moving in the bushes” analogy
    • Methotrexate / eczema example

Ann Furedi, bpas Chief Executive, said:

The answer to unsafe abortion is not contraception, it is safe abortion. When you encourage women to use contraception, you give them the sense that they can control their fertility – but if you do not provide safe abortion services when that contraception fails you are doing them a great disservice. Our data shows women cannot control their fertility through contraception alone, even when they are using some of the most effective methods. Family planning is contraception and abortion. Abortion is birth control that women need when their regular method lets them down.

https://www.bpas.org/about-our-charity/press-office/press-releases/women-cannot-control-fertility-through-contraception-alone-bpas-data-shows-1-in-4-women-having-an-abortion-were-using-most-effective-contraception/

• The de facto view: contraception reduces abortion
  • Abby Johnson points to Guttmacher stats that 54% of women having abortions were using contraception https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/tell-me-that-good-one-again-about-how-contraception-decreases-abortions
  • Janet Smith on Planned Parenthood v. Casey
  • Only long acting reversible contraception?
    • http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2015/09/contraception_abortion_and_planned_parenthood_debate_long_acting_birth_control.html
    • http://ubyssey.ca/media/images/2016/03/Contraception_Tiers_UCSFBedsider.jpg
• Comparison_of_birth_control_methods#Effectiveness_of_various_methods
  • http://www.decodedc.com/home/2014/10/10/episode-55-tackling-unwanted-pregnancies-a-conversation-with.html
  • Over 5 years… confirm numbers
    • condom: 63% chance of pregnancy
    • pill: 38% chance of pregnancy
    • IUD: 2%
      • Even with an IUD, over 5 years, 1 in 50 couples who are having sex but are not open to having a children will be faced with a unplanned pregnancy… that's still a huge demand for abortion, lot of killing…

• Ross Douhat on comparing like to like, red state versus blue state instead of developed versus developing
  • Check maternal mortality rate too
• http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/380574/does-contraception-really-reduce-abortion-rate-michael-j-new
• Pro-choice states have just as many unintended pregnancies and far more abortions

• On the notion of sex and “consequences” and the relationship to abortion
  • http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/why-i-lost-faith-in-the-pro-choice-movement
  • http://utsfl.ncln.ca/2009/10/27/abortion-empowers-no-one-part-ii/
• Planned Parenthood v. Casey
• Janet Smith on contraception and abortion
• pregnancy is not a disease

These are direct forms of abortion, where the only purpose of these drugs is to cause the death of the child, versus contraceptives which may have the possibility to also act as abortifacients, but may be taken without knowing whether or not a child has been created yet.

A medical (or chemical) abortion is a non-surgical form of abortion in which the woman takes pills containing Mifepristone (RU-486) and Misoprostol (or Cytotec) to end the life of the baby. This procedure is performed during the first trimester of pregnancy. The drugs are approved by the FDA for use up to ten weeks since the first day of her last menstrual period (LMP).

http://abortionprocedures.com/abortion-pill/