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Objections to the Basic Moral Status of Human Embryos
Published in Christopher Kaczor, The Ethics of Abortion, 2023
There are two important differences between these potentially abortifacient forms of contraception and a typical abortion, which in part explains the different attitudes taken by critics of abortion to each. As will be explored in greater length in Chapter 9, it is ethically permissible to engage in an act that has two effects, one good and one evil, if the evil is not used as a means or as an end, and if there is a proportionately serious reason. There is also a difference between opposing what may cause harm as a side-effect and opposing what is aimed at causing harm. The forms of contraception discussed here may (or may not) perform as abortifacients, while other forms of abortion, such as the use of RU-486 or surgical abortions, intentionally aim at destruction of the embryo.
Chemotherapy in pregnancy
Published in Hung N. Winn, Frank A. Chervenak, Roberto Romero, Clinical Maternal-Fetal Medicine Online, 2021
Antimetabolites include methotrexate and 5-FU. Methotrexate, a folic acid antagonist, is indicated for use in the treatment of many cancers, including breast cancer, head and neck cancer, acute lymphocytic leukemia, NHL, bladder cancer, colorectal cancer, and gestational trophoblastic disease. It is an abortifacient and should not be given at any time during pregnancy. When given in the first trimester, this class of agents is associated with a constellation of severe fetal anomalies known as “aminopterin syndrome.” The syndrome includes growth deficiency, patent cranial sutures, craniosynostosis, unusual skull shapes, dysmorphic facies, hydrocephalus, mental retardation, and skeletal defects (35).
The Reproductive System and Its Disorders
Published in Walter F. Stanaszek, Mary J. Stanaszek, Robert J. Holt, Steven Strauss, Understanding Medical Terms, 2020
Walter F. Stanaszek, Mary J. Stanaszek, Robert J. Holt, Steven Strauss
Abortion applies to both intentional and unintentional termination of an existing pregnancy by expelling the products of conception from the uterus. A spontaneous abortion occurs naturally and may result from either fetal or maternal abnormalities, infection, or other diseases. Induced abortion (also called artificial abortion) may be induced by the administration of an abortifacient drug or surgically by dilating the cervix and scraping the uterine lining, a procedure known as dilation and curettage (D&C). A D&C is also used to remove excess endometrium in several bleeding and endometrial disorders. If the abortion is performed to medically benefit the mother, it is usually termed a therapeutic abortion.
A qualitative exploration of how the COVID-19 pandemic shaped experiences of self-managed medication abortion with accompaniment group support in Argentina, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Venezuela
Published in Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 2022
Chiara Bercu, Sofia Filippa, Ruvani Jayaweera, Ijeoma Egwuatu, Sybil Nmezi, Ruth Zurbriggen, Belen Grosso, Ika Ayu Kristianingrum, Mariana Maneiro, María Soledad Liparelli, Stephhanie Sandoval, Isha Tapia, Guillermina Soria, Heidi Moseson
The COVID-19 pandemic and related barriers to clinical abortion care have raised the profile and interest in the self-use of abortifacient medications at home outside of a clinical context. For instance, demand for abortion pills through online sites that provide information on self-managed medication abortion has significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic started.14,15 Furthermore, abortion accompaniment groups, which provide support and evidence-based guidance to people self-managing their abortion, have continued to play an essential role for people seeking an abortion during the COVID-19 pandemic. Accompaniment groups have helped ensure access to essential safe abortion and other reproductive health services around the world for many years, including in Argentina, Indonesia, Nigeria and Venezuela, the countries that this study focuses on.16–21 People might choose to self-manage their own abortions due to the safety, privacy, convenience, and comfort this model can provide;17,20,22 however, given the uniqueness and newness of the COVID-19 pandemic, little is understood about people’s experiences self-managing their abortions with support from accompaniment groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research on the experiences of people who have self-managed their abortion during the pandemic is key to understanding the critical role accompaniment groups play in ensuring safe abortion access when clinical systems fail, and to identifying strategies to expand access to high-quality abortion care.
Regulatory authorities are limiting telemedicine’s potential to deliver legal abortion care to everyone in Colombia
Published in Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters, 2022
Juliette Ortiz, Sandra Salazar, Tatiana Lesmes, Eliana Marulanda, Maria Mercedes Vivas
In addition to the inconsistencies we have mentioned, it is troublesome that current telemedicine policies in Colombia do not take into account that some telemedicine (abortion or any other healthcare) providers, are likely to send medicines to their patients. These policies only consider sending prescriptions to patients, and assume that they will acquire the prescribed medications at pharmacies. It is important to keep in mind that abortifacients in Colombia cannot be purchased without medical prescription, and that although they are legal, pharmacists often refuse to sell these medications even to a person that has a prescription.5 Although sending abortifacients to pregnant people by legal abortion providers could dramatically increase access to legal abortion care, current legislation is rather insufficient in this matter. In fact, Colombian policies only consider that pharmacies send medications to patients through specialised pharmaceutical transport operators, which are significantly more expensive than standard transport operators. Paradoxically, pharmaceutical transport operators often depend on standard transport operators to deliver medications in remote areas. However, it is worth considering that regulatory authorities have been flexible in this matter because of the pandemic, allowing Oriéntame to send abortifacients via standard courier service. Our fear is that the MOH might rescind this flexibility once the emergency resulting from the Covid-19 outbreak ends.
Proposal to Expand the Accessibility and Effectiveness of Medical Abortions in the United States
Published in Journal of Legal Medicine, 2020
Moriah Murray, Stephanie Ringle, Weldon Havins
The United States has a long, complicated history with regard to abortion legislation, which appears to be ramping up over the last decade. Roe v. Wade confirmed the right to obtain an abortion as a matter of privacy in 1973, and there have been dozens of Supreme Court and lower court cases challenging it since. In spite of precedent, over 1,100 new restrictions have been attempted at the State level since Roe v. Wade, many of which include Targeted Regulation of Abortion Provider (TRAP) laws. These laws have had the effect of decreasing the number of clinics and the availability of providers, resulting in six states which have only a single clinic. Decreasing clinic numbers may result in patients being unable to access legal and safe abortion care. In this review, we examine the safety and efficacy of self-administration of mifepristone, abortion provision by mid-level providers, and telemedicine or mail order delivery of abortifacient medications. We suggest legislative policy updates to reflect current technology.