Spring Break
Emergency contraception advertisement is misleading
Letter to the editor
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: Opinion
I'm writing about a seldom-noticed part of the Royal Purple. I'm talking about advertisements, and one in particular. This specific ad concerned "being safe" over spring break, and the dangers of using emergency contraception. While I support personal opinions and choices (and safety, of course!), no matter how conservative or liberal, implying that emergency contraception (EC) equates to a "chemical abortion" is unacceptable. ECs will NOT cause an abortion! The vast majority of doctors agree that pregnancy occurs at implantation, which would not be effected by taking Plan B. Furthermore, ECs have been shown to have no effect on fertilized eggs whatsoever, rendering it harmless in cases where many people might find it objectionable to take.
ECs work by preventing the release of an egg, as well as potentially preventing a sperm and egg from joining--that's it. It can prevent a pregnancy, not stop or end one. And as far as side effects go, having spoken to many women who have chosen to use Plan B, a slight upset stomach was their only complaint, if any at all.
The bottom line is: no matter what your beliefs about sex or pregnancy are, emergency contraception should not be advertised in a college newspaper as a dangerous, abortion-causing drug. It is a safe, healthy way for a woman to maintain her reproductive health should she find herself in an emergency situation. Let's face it, this kind of situation is not easy to face, but no woman should fear making a safe and smart decision--whatever it might be. This false information is disturbing, I suggest you dedicate an article to the facts and myths concerning Plan B and other ECs. Be fair, Royal Purple.
Anna Weisling
UW-Whitewater junior
ECs work by preventing the release of an egg, as well as potentially preventing a sperm and egg from joining--that's it. It can prevent a pregnancy, not stop or end one. And as far as side effects go, having spoken to many women who have chosen to use Plan B, a slight upset stomach was their only complaint, if any at all.
The bottom line is: no matter what your beliefs about sex or pregnancy are, emergency contraception should not be advertised in a college newspaper as a dangerous, abortion-causing drug. It is a safe, healthy way for a woman to maintain her reproductive health should she find herself in an emergency situation. Let's face it, this kind of situation is not easy to face, but no woman should fear making a safe and smart decision--whatever it might be. This false information is disturbing, I suggest you dedicate an article to the facts and myths concerning Plan B and other ECs. Be fair, Royal Purple.
Anna Weisling
UW-Whitewater junior
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