News,
The Delhi Medical Association has called for stricter limitations on abortion in India after the 12th week of pregnancy in an attempt to reduce sex-selective abortions. According to Dr K. K. Aggarwai, president of the Association, 95% of abortions are done for the purpose of sex-selection owing to the preference for male children in Indian society. Such abortions tend to be carried out late in the pregnancy, as reliable sex-selection tests are not available until the 12th week. If this practice continues, there are widespread fears of a large imbalance between the sexes in India. [Catholic World News, 12 July]
The 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the national ban on partial-birth abortions is unlawful because it does not contain an exception for the health of the mother. According to Judge Kermit Bye, when substantial medical authority supports the medical necessity of an abortion, a health exception is "constitutionally required." A health exception was not originally included in the ban as such grounds can be used to justify a partial-birth abortion in almost any case. [LifeNews.com, 8, July]
According to a recent study published in the British Journal of Health Psychology, women who had had abortions are three times more likely to take illegal drugs in a subsequent pregnancy. It is suggested that feelings of grief and guilt over previous abortions may surface, causing women to resort to drugs and alcohol. Dr David Reardon, one of the authors of the study, said, "Most women have deeply conflicted feelings about their past abortions. Later pregnancies may arouse or aggravate unsettled emotions. Whatever the individual experience, it is clear that pregnant women with a history of abortion are at greater risk of trying to suppress their turbulent emotions by relying on more alcohol, cigarettes, or illegal drugs." [LifeSite, 12 July]
A group of researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University and the Université de Sherbrooke has reported that women who use birth control pills have twice the chance of suffering heart attack and strokes. Those with other recognised risk factors were most vulnerable. They examined the cases of women between 1980 and 2002 who suffered complications after using contraceptives. [LifeSite, 12 July]
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