ALRANZ Condemns "Feminist" Attack on Medical Abortion

"Australian anti-abortionists and pseudo-feminist organisations are engaged in a campaign of distortion and half-truths against the possible introduction of RU486/mifepristone within that country. ALRANZ wishes to clarify the issues at stake in our own context." said Craig Young, ALRANZ Research Officer, today.

"The Feminist International Network on Reproductive and Genetic Engineering is a controversial group, and has clashed with the Abortion Rights Network of Australia. Most recently, Australian and New Zealand pro-choice organisations were disturbed to encounter anti-abortion propaganda about mythical "post- abortion syndrome" on their website, and learn that this "feminist" organisation welcomes anti-abortion members." stated Mr.Young.

"I accept that FINNRAGE may have had some legitimate objections to earlier clinical research about RU486/ mifepristone, but it is now regurgitating anti- abortion propaganda about the safety of misoprostol, the prostaglandin supplement that is used to enhance the effectiveness of RU486/mifepristone."

"Specifically, these involve claims that the US Searle organisation has cautioned against the use of misoprostol for alternative uses beyond the context of ulcer medication, as proprietory vendor of misoprostol. However, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has objected to this stance, and argued that in proper circumstances of regulated informed consent, and previous clinical trials in the United States and Western Europe, there has been little sign of post-operative complications from the use of misoprostol." Mr. Young continued.

"If there were common negative effects from RU486 or misoprostol, then there would have been reference to those effects within the clinical literature, or within regulatory research that the Food and Drug Administration Center for Drug Evaluation and Research commissioned while it assessed the safety and effectiveness of medical abortion methods.

That process has now been completed, and the Food and Drug Administration saw fit to approve RU486 and misoprostol for use within medical abortion methods, governed by informed consent and reporting procedures. One would have thought that any feminist worthy of the name would welcome such commitment to patient- centred care within medical procedures. Sadly, it appears New Zealand feminists are more conscientious in pursuit of those objectives than some of their alleged Australian counterparts." concluded Mr Young.

Contact: Craig Young Research Officer, ALRANZ 06 3569099 ext 7750 (weekdays) unheimlichmann@yahoo.com.au

Dr. Margaret Sparrow National President ALRANZ 04 4759886

ALRANZ Box 28008 Wellington

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