I stand corrected.
In a previous discussion on the topic of hormone contraception (HC) there was much discussion on the detailed mechanism by which these medications do their intended job: prevent pregnancy. I would like to make a comment on the subject as it has been brought to my attention that my vocabulary remained wanting.
Lesson No. 3a – birth control
Lesson No. 3b – birth control
I originally proposed that within a typical calendar year any HC method would have the possibility of actually preventing pregnancy by causing an abortion 2-3 times. I was incorrect in my use of vocabulary. Below is a corrected discussion.
Pregnancy: a defined period if time when an offspring is physically attached to and developing as a result of physical interaction with his/her mother.
Abortion: the termination of pregnancy by which a developing fetus or embryo is no longer allowed to mature through his/her attachment to the mother. The offspring is no longer viable.
Contraception: the process or act of preventing pregnancy.
There is much discussion in the medical community as to whether or not HC causes abortion as a part of its contraceptive efficacy. One side vehemently denies this position and while the other embraces it (This was me).
When terms are accurately defined, we come to the conclusion that HC dose not cause an abortion when used at customary pregnancy prevention doses. One of their prominent mechanisms of action DOES HOWEVER TERMINATE LIFE.
Why do I say this? As previously discussed, HCs act by (1) Preventing ovulation; (2) Preventing implantation (sometimes incorrectly called a chemical abortion); (3) Preventing travel of the egg to the uterus for implantation; and (4) Preventing travel of the sperm to the egg.
Prevention of implantation is not abortion. Why? Because abortion requires a pregnancy and pregnancy is defined as the attachment of the offspring to the mother. Prior to implantation there is no pregnancy. Prevention of implantation DOES HOWEVER terminate the life of the embryo by disallowing his/her implantation.
Some may see this as arguing semantics but I now realize why some HC proponents get frustrated with dissenting voices that cry 'abortion'. The argument that HCs may cause abortion at usual pregnancy prevention doses is intellectually inaccurate. Proponents see the fallacy in this argument and choose to label the begining of life at some point after fertilization and implantation.
I now defend my view of the unethical nature of HCs with the understanding that hormones cause the termination of life not the abortion of life.
Lesson No. 3a – birth control
Lesson No. 3b – birth control
I originally proposed that within a typical calendar year any HC method would have the possibility of actually preventing pregnancy by causing an abortion 2-3 times. I was incorrect in my use of vocabulary. Below is a corrected discussion.
Pregnancy: a defined period if time when an offspring is physically attached to and developing as a result of physical interaction with his/her mother.
Abortion: the termination of pregnancy by which a developing fetus or embryo is no longer allowed to mature through his/her attachment to the mother. The offspring is no longer viable.
Contraception: the process or act of preventing pregnancy.
There is much discussion in the medical community as to whether or not HC causes abortion as a part of its contraceptive efficacy. One side vehemently denies this position and while the other embraces it (This was me).
When terms are accurately defined, we come to the conclusion that HC dose not cause an abortion when used at customary pregnancy prevention doses. One of their prominent mechanisms of action DOES HOWEVER TERMINATE LIFE.
Why do I say this? As previously discussed, HCs act by (1) Preventing ovulation; (2) Preventing implantation (sometimes incorrectly called a chemical abortion); (3) Preventing travel of the egg to the uterus for implantation; and (4) Preventing travel of the sperm to the egg.
Prevention of implantation is not abortion. Why? Because abortion requires a pregnancy and pregnancy is defined as the attachment of the offspring to the mother. Prior to implantation there is no pregnancy. Prevention of implantation DOES HOWEVER terminate the life of the embryo by disallowing his/her implantation.
Some may see this as arguing semantics but I now realize why some HC proponents get frustrated with dissenting voices that cry 'abortion'. The argument that HCs may cause abortion at usual pregnancy prevention doses is intellectually inaccurate. Proponents see the fallacy in this argument and choose to label the begining of life at some point after fertilization and implantation.
I now defend my view of the unethical nature of HCs with the understanding that hormones cause the termination of life not the abortion of life.
posted by OS Hopper at Sunday, July 09, 2006
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