Mifepristone (RU 486) -- An Abortifacient to Prevent Abortion?

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Glasier et al. (Oct. 8 issue)1 report that mifepristone (RU 486) was an “effective postcoital contraceptive agent.” In their accompanying editorial, Grimes and Cook2 suggest that the drug could reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies and induced abortions. These articles, however, are more likely to confuse than to clarify the debate because they simply recast the language of the controversy surrounding this drug. Popular wisdom understands conception as fertilization of the ovum by the sperm; correspondingly, a contraceptive prevents fertilization by inhibiting ovulation or fertilization. Since contraception is now widely accepted in our society, demonstrating mifepristone to be contraceptive would eliminate the chief moral obstacle to its approval and use.

This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit: