Page 28 - ARUBA TODAY

A28 SCIENCE
Thursday 12 OcTOber 2017

Women’s health docs say Trump ignores birth control science

By RICARDO ALONSO- government policy. explained Lawrence, the
ZALDIVAR Here’s a look at examples ob-gyn. “If you don’t ovu-
Associated Press from the Trump birth control late, there is no egg to get
WASHINGTON (AP) — The rules that are raising ques- fertilized. It’s not blocking
Trump administration’s new tions: implantation.”
birth control rule is raising THE MORNING-AFTER PILL EFFECTIVENESS OF BIRTH
questions among some Emergency contraception CONTROL
women’s health experts, is birth control for use af- The Trump administration
who say it overlooks known ter unprotected sex, often takes issue with the science
benefits of contraception called the “morning-after behind the Obama-era de-
while selectively citing data pill.” Referring to the morn- cision to require most em-
that raise doubts about ef- ing-after pill as well as intra- ployers to cover birth con-
fectiveness and safety. uterine devices or IUDs, the trol as preventive care.
“This rule is listing things that regulations state that the It suggests that some stud-
are not scientifically vali- Food and Drug Administra- ies the Obama administra-
dated, and in some cases tion “includes in the cat- tion relied on did not show
things that are wrong, to try egory of ‘contraceptives’ a direct cause-and-effect
to justify a decision that is In this Aug. 26, 2016, file photo, a one-month dosage of certain drugs and devices link between increased
not in the best interests of hormonal birth control pills is displayed in Sacramento, that may not only prevent birth control use and a de-
women and society,” said Calif. The Trump administration’s new birth control rule is conception (fertilization), cline in unintended preg-
Dr. Hal Lawrence, CEO of raising questions among some doctors and researchers. but also may prevent im- nancy.
the American Congress of Associated Press plantation of an embryo.” But Adam Sonfield of the
Obstetricians and Gyne- teaching, they also dive of women’s health policy Because of that, “many Guttmacher Institute said
cologists, which represents into medical research and at the nonpartisan Kaiser persons and organizations” solid research does in fact
women’s health specialists. scholarly studies on birth Family Foundation. “You believe emergency con- exist. His organization’s work
Two recently issued rules control. It’s on the science can make an argument traception methods cause on reproductive health is
— one addressing religious that the Trump administra- that you don’t agree be- “early abortion,” the regu- cited by opposing sides in
objections and the other, tion is being challenged. cause of your religious or lations add. the political debate.
moral objections — allow Doctors and researchers moral objections, but that But Princeton researcher George Washington Uni-
more employers to opt out say the administration ig- is a different discussion.” James Trussell said that versity public health pro-
of covering birth control nored studies that didn’t In a statement, Health and while studies years ago sug- fessor Susan Wood, a for-
as a free preventive ben- support its conclusions and Human Services Depart- gested the morning-after mer women’s health chief
efit for women under the stretched others. ment spokeswoman Caitlin pill might affect the lining for the FDA, said there’s
Obama health care law. “The interpretation is very Oakley responded to crit- of a woman’s uterus and very clear clinical data
Although the regulations selective in terms of the sci- ics, saying: “The rules are interfere with the implan- that contraception pre-
ultimately concern matters ence that they use,” said focused on guarantee- tation of a fertilized egg, vents pregnancy. Why else
of conscience and religious Alina Salganicoff, director ing religious freedom and more recent studies have would the FDA approve
conscience protections for not found such an effect. birth control pills?
those Americans who have “The preponderance of the THE SEXUAL REVOLUTION
a religious or moral objec- evidence, and certainly The Trump administration’s
tion to providing certain the most recent evidence, rule suggests there may be
services based on their sin- is that there is no post-fertil- a link between birth control
cerely held beliefs.” ization effect,” said Trussell. and promiscuity.
The administration also says That’s not reflected in the It cites a study finding that
some parts of the rules are administration’s rule. between 1960 and 1990,
Tour to the Red Light Lipstixaruba@outlook.com meant to illustrate the sorts “The actual medical evi- “as contraceptive use in-
District with a Private of concerns that religious dence is that it blocks ovu- creased, teen sexual activ-
Guide & a FREE bottle (297) 630-5329 objectors may have, and lation,” or the release of ity outside of marriage like-
of wine...
don’t necessarily reflect an egg from the ovaries, wise increased.”q