Ignoring evidence abortions harmful

For decades, P.E.I. potato farmers were encouraged to grow tobacco. Reports of its harmful effects were not taken seriously. Today a small vocal segment of our population similarly ignores increasing evidence that abortion is harmful.

Claiming that women suffer great harm by having to go to the mainland for this procedure, they demand that it be available locally. But no matter where abortion takes place, it is generally accompanied by a multitude of harmful consequences, like these samples from numerous studies and research in many countries.

Women who have an induced abortion are more likely than those who don’t, to never marry, or marry later, to divorce or separate.

Many experience chronic pain, pelvic inflammations, ectopic pregnancy, and subsequent miscarriages of wanted children. An English study reported a 620 per cent increase in low fertility.

The risk of having a pre-term baby increases to 27 per cent after one abortion, to 62 per cent after another. Such babies have many major challenges to deal with, sometimes for a lifetime.

Some endocrinology researchers see links between induced abortion and the current increase in auto-immune diseases among women. Several abortion providers have been sued (successfully) for not informing clients about the evidence of an abortion/breast cancer link.

There is increasing evidence of subsequent personal harm, including substance abuse and intimate partner violence.

The British Journal of Psychiatry reported an 81 per cent higher rate of mental health problems. Large studies from the US, UK and Scandinavia have documented a high rate of suicide.

This is nature at work. (Nature never forgets and never forgives.) But churches and pro lifers would be remiss if they did not express their deep concern about these and related dangers to women and society.

Abortion is no answer to problems associated with unintended pregnancy. Let’s find better solutions. Doreen Beagan, Charlottetown