Weighing in on the abortion drug
Editor: I would like to respond to the letter by Lange Winckler on Oct. 3, regarding SB 320, the bill that would have mandated all UC and SCU campuses to distribute the abortion drug, RU-486, in their oncampus health centers.
First, I believe there is a misunderstanding between the morningafter pill and the abortion-causing drug, RU-486, also know as a chemical abortion. The morning-after pill is a large dose of the common birthcontrol pill, which works as a contraceptive. RU-486 (Mifeprex) blocks the action of the hormone progesterone which is needed to maintain the lining of the uterus and provides oxygen and nutrients to the baby.
Cytotec is taken two days after Mifeprex, causing uterine bleeding, strong contractions and the expulsion of the baby. And the woman is supposed to return to the abortion center a third time, to ensure the abortion is complete.
The average time a woman bleeds is 9-10 days and some, even a month. There is also a rare syndrome associated with RU-486, called toxic shock syndrome, which is potentially lethal, whereby bacteria begins growing out of control but the normal immune response is blocked by the anti-cortisol effects of the mifepristone! Even worse, the infection does not cause a fever or apparent anemia even after severe blood loss. Therefore the patient may not realize how seriously ill they are until it is too late.
In 2005, the FDA received reports of 607 adverse events involving RU486 over a four-year period. These included five reported deaths, 237 cases of hemorrhage, one resulting in death, 68 of which required transfusion, 42 described as life-threatening, 66 cases of infection with seven cases of septic shock reported, two of which resulted in death.
To date the FDA documents that RU-486 has killed 14 women, injured 1,200 and caused adverse effects for 2,200 others. Since theses serious health issues caused by RU-486 have come to light, efforts have been made to force the FDA to remove the drug from the market.
MARIA VANDENBURG
Ripon