Proposed definition would include many forms of birth control

Although the Bush Administration days
are numbered, it is still capable of needling feminists and abortion activists.
A draft rule circulating in the Department of Health and Human Services would
— according to the New York Times — require all institutions receiving
funding from federal health programs to certify that they will not refuse to
hire health care workers who object to abortion and even certain types of birth
control.

What is most upsetting is the
definition of abortion: any procedure or drug "that results in the
termination of the life of a human being in utero between conception and
natural birth, whether before or after implantation.” As Mary Jane Gallagher,
president of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association,
points out, “The proposed definition of abortion is so broad that it would
cover many types of birth control, including oral contraceptives and emergency
contraception.” ~ New
York Times, July 15
 

• Author
• Recent Posts

Michael Cook

Michael Cook edits BioEdge, a bioethics newsletter, and MercatorNet, an on-line magazine whose focus is human dignity. He writes from Sydney, Australia.

Latest posts by Michael Cook (see all)

• How long can you put off seeing the doctor because of lockdowns? - December 3, 2021
• House of Lords debates assisted suicide—again - October 28, 2021
• Spanish government tries to restrict conscientious objection - October 28, 2021