Christian Century: Abortion supporters, foes speak out on RU-486 - Mifepristone

The Food and Drug Administration's approval of the drug RU-486, the so-called "abortion pill" to terminate early pregnancies, has drawn the expected reactions in a vigorous, suddenly renewed national debate.

"The approval of mifepristone is the result of the FDA's careful evaluation of the scientific evidence related to the safe and effective use of this drug," said FDA commissioner Jane E. Henney on September 28 in announcing the decision. The FDA approved the use of mifepristone in conjunction with another drug, misoprostol. The pill, to be distributed by Danco Laboratories, was expected to be available in the U.S. by early November. Proponents and critics promptly reacted in statements.

The government action was condemned as "the latest in a series of capitulations to abortion advocates" by Gail Quinn, executive director of the Secretariat of the Catholic Bishops' Committee for Pro-Life Activities. "Worst of all, approving chemical abortion will further numb our consciences to the violence of abortion and the taking of innocent human life," Quinn said.

On the other hand, the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice called the FDA decision long overdue and a "victory for women as moral decision-makers." Marjorie Signer of the RCRC's Washington headquarters said the interfaith group is concerned about "the effect of the requirement for three separate [doctor] visits on the most underserved women--those who are low-income, women of color, and youth." Said Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Gloria Feldt: "We have arrived at the end of a long, frustrating and often heartrending wait, and the beginning of a new era."

Some abortion rights backers said they thought that the election of "an antichoice president" could make the federal approval a short-lived one--a reference to Republican candidate George W. Bush, who opposes abortions except in the cases of rape, incest and health danger to pregnant women. But Bush said during the first debate with Vice President Al Gore on October 3 that he would not seek legislation to overrule the FDA. "Once the decision has been made, it's been made, unless it's proven that it's unsafe for women," Bush said.

That response may not sit well with conservative Christian groups such as the Southern Baptists and Focus on the Family, both of which reacted strongly and swiftly against the FDA approval of the controversial drug.

"This is a dangerous drug that is fatal for unborn babies and hazardous to their mothers," said Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. "Women who would never consider a surgical abortion will now naively proceed in this game of `health' roulette, believing that the FDA's stamp of approval proves this drug to be safe and effective," said Carrie Gordon Earll, bioethics policy analyst for Focus on the Family.