The religious right must be going mad over the morning after pill

[JPace]

becoming available in more and more states. It
basically dislodges a fertilized egg and lets
it pass, in other words a mini abortion. They
are also losing ground on trying to stop the
movement of legalizing gay relationships. What
other things are they losing ground on in spite
of owning the WH, the Congress and the Senate?

[supernova]

1. Because these are things

the general public is ready for.

If the American public is not quite as liberal as we DUers would like for them to be, they are equally not as conservative as the RR would like for them to be.

[flamingyouth]

2. Actually, the "morning after pill" does NOT cause an abortion

Technically, it keeps a possibly fertilized egg from implanting in the uterine lining, AFAIK. That's why it has to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.

But, yeah, I see your point. The times are changing, and so is our culture.

Edited to add this link:

http://ec.princeton.edu/questions/ecabt.html

[Malva Zebrina]

3. I remember the days when they went berserk over birth control pills

really--took to the streets protesting and the whole schtick.

[velocity]

4. Problem is getting the word out about it

too many teenagers have babies because they do not know.

[BOSSHOG]

5. Yes, the Religious Right

is very good at going mad about what other people do. They are narrow minded rubes with hearts full of hate and brains pegging the ignoramous meter. They would be quite content in a country with no freedoms. THEY VOTE REPUBLICAN.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

11. Read on another thread

that one of them has written a book saying its ok to be intolerant. So much for "love your enemies" and "judge not, lest ye be judged".

[ArmchairActivist]

6. Brutally dangerous mis-information here.

The 'morning-after' pill does NOT induce abortions.

Say it with me, please. Three times in a row, just so we all get it.

The 'morning-after' pill does NOT induce abortions.
The 'morning-after' pill does NOT induce abortions.
The 'morning-after' pill does NOT induce abortions.

Just like the regular BC pill, (which is what it is) this pill prevents pregnancy by suppressing ovulation. Let's not get this nice, safe, humane method of contraception get mixed up with other, more volatile family-planning issues.

K? Thx.

-AA

[Ilsa]

8. Uh, your timing is off here...

If she has already had an egg released (maybe the day before intercourse), then there is no point in supressing ovulation. Therefore, the pill has to be effective also in preventing the implantation into the uterine wall. Aside from your technical glitch on this detail, I heartily join the chant.

[Malva Zebrina]

9. I'm not sure about that

Suppose ovulation has already occurred and the egg has, indeed, been fertilized--how does taking the pill the morning after, prevent that pregnancy? I think it prevents implantation of the fertilized egg onto the wall of the uterus. It is then simply discarded and eliminated with the next menses, without any real awareness on the part of the woman. This happens,additionally, without any intervention of a pill, painlessly and naturally with an amazing percentage of fertilized eggs without anyone even being aware and the monthly menses occurs as usual.

[ArmchairActivist]

12. That is my understanding....

It functions the same way as the regular BC pill. In fact, it IS the regular BC pill. If ovulation and fertilization have already happened, then this pill probably won't help much. As you said, the zygote will become implanted, or not...

It's not 100 percent effective, and isn't designed to be used in place of other contraceptive options.

Perhaps I overstated things a bit. The precise mechanism by which this pill functions is apparently unknown, but thought to perhaps include interfering with implantation. As I understand it though, the bulk of the efficacy comes from preventing release of the egg.

Googling on any family-planning issue pretty much sucks, due to our psychopathically puritanical culture, I suppose, but here's one link.

http://www.drdrew.com/article.asp?id=1279

-AA

[JPace]

10. "Brutally dangerous mis-information here."

"Brutally dangerous" seems a tad dramatic,
but what the heck, maybe your right. If an
egg has been fertilized and is on its way
toward being a human being....the pills will
keep it from being able to implant or attach
itself to the uterus. It is therefore passed
from the body. I suppose it is a matter of
perspective, but then I am not offended by
the word "abortion".

[ArmchairActivist]

13. Ok, maybe a bit...

I am by no means offended by the word (or concept) of abortion, believe me. (On demand, without apology, period. Accent on the 'without apology'.)

The right often tries to muddle the issue by equating contraception with abortion, and it's one of my pet peeves, I guess. Since some people go berzerk over the A-word, I just wanted to make sure the distinction is clear.

Apologies though, for perhaps over reacting.

-AA

[Jacobin]

7. But you can bet they will be surreptitiously stocking up on a few

in case their daughters get careless.