The FDA Just Removed One Of Anti-Abortion Lawmakers’ Favorite Talking Points

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Thanks to a policy change from the Food and Drug Administration announced on Wednesday (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/PostmarketDrugSafetyInformationforPatientsandProvi ders/ucm111323.htm), it may get harder for anti-choice lawmakers to rely on unscientific information to restrict women’s access to the abortion pill.

The FDA intends to change its years-old label for the abortion pill, medically known as mifepristone. Wednesday’s move will update the agency’s previous guidelines for mifepristone — which were first issued back in 2000 and have since become outdated.

“We are delighted that the FDA has approved a label change, which brings the label for mifepristone in line with scientific research and evidence-based practice,” Vicki Saporta, the president of the National Abortion Federation, said in a statement.

In the years since mifepristone was initially approved by the FDA, doctors learned more about how it works. Medical professionals quickly confirmed that it’s just as safe and effective (http://thinkprogress.org/health/2015/01/26/3615340/large-abortion-pill-study/) when prescribed at lower dosages and later in pregnancy. In practice, this expands access the abortion pill because it allows patients to take the pill at a lower price and during a bigger window of time.

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2016/03/30/3764742/fda-label-change-abortion-pill/

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Utah plays doctor, legislates anesthesia for abortions at 20 weeks and beyond

A woman in Utah is allowed to have an abortion at 20 weeks. But does she have to give her fetus painkillers in the process?

Yes, the state said Monday, when it became the only state in the nation to require doctors to give anesthesia to women undergoing abortions at 20 weeks or later.

Advocates of the law (http://le.utah.gov/~2016/bills/static/SB0234.html) say that the regulation prevents fetuses from suffering during abortions. But doctors (http://www.acog.org/~/media/Departments/State%20Legislative%20Activities/20130410CookLtr.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20130823T2103524859) in Utah and elsewhere say there’s no proof that fetuses are able to feel anything at that point in pregnancy, and that sedating women during the procedure puts them at risk of complications.

“You’re now mandating [women] take that risk, based on inconclusive and biased evidence. You don’t understand what you’re legislating,” Dr. Sean Esplin, a doctor with Intermountain Healthcare in Utah, testified (http://www.cityweekly.net/TheDailyFeed/archives/2016/03/09/fetal-anesthesia-bill-pits-lawmakers-against-doctors) at committee hearing on the bill earlier this month.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/29/utah-plays-doctor-legislates-anesthesia-for-abortions-at-20-weeks-and-beyond/

[All Mighty Janitor]

The first post is good whether you agree with abortion or not. If one wants to fight against abortions it should be directly; don't use round-about methods to try to undermine the democratic process.
The second article is interesting. I've never heard or considered the pain an unborn baby might go through when aborted. Definitely gives me something to think about.