Graphic by: Jen Hight

The Plan B pill is one of the most controversial subjects being talked about today. With President Bush recently re-elected and the ever-changing position and interest from the FDA, Plan B has become an increasingly heated topic. Plan B is an emergency contraceptive that was approved by the FDA in 1999. It is currently classified as a contraceptive, not an abortion pill, as it is used to prevent pregnancy. However, some people still claim that it is nothing but another way to abort a fetus and should not be available over the counter.

It seems that the people who are most opposed to it are the people who know the least about it. The medical community(the most informed of us all) doesn't consider emergency contraception, like Plan B, an abortion pill. Doctors and researchers have both testified in front of the FDA advisory committee that Plan B has no harmful effect on a developing fetus. Contrary to the ideas of some pro- lifers, the pill does not kill a fetus. Instead, it prevents ovulation, or prevents the egg from being implanted in the uterus.

From what I understand, most people, though not all, who are opposed to the Plan B pill are in the pro-life camp. I'm not going to pretend that I understand or agree with the pro-life way of thinking, but here's the main point that I've gathered from conversations and arguments from that direction: they're very concerned with the health of the unborn child. What I don't know is if they are concerned with the health of the women in question, too. I surely hope that they are, because it would be quite hypocritical to be concerned with one and not the other. Assuming that concern is equal, you, the pro-lifer, will be thrilled to find out that not only will no harm come to any fetus, but the pill, when taken as directed, is safe for women too!

Many people opposed to the Plan B pill feel that way because they think it will encourage promiscuity. On Jan. 5, 2005, the Washington Post ran an article about a study testing this theory. The first paragraph of the article stated: "Providing women with easy access to the emergency contraceptive Plan B did not lead them to engage in more risky sexual behavior, a study of more than 2,000 California women has concluded." The study, now being published in a journal, supports the idea that the drug could be used safely and without a prescription .

Another large issue that many people have with the Plan B pill is its possible access to teenage girls. Possible is the key word. Unless these teen girls have well-paying jobs, rich parents willing to shell out big bucks or the desire to spend their own treasured cash on contraceptives, they probably won't be able to afford the twenty-five to thirty dollar Plan B pills every time they have sex. As if that wasn't enough, the makers of Plan B, Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc., decided to make the pill only available over the counter for women over the age of sixteen and otherwise available by prescription.

Why must we feel that we should restrict our freedom of choice so much that we are left with no choices at all? Who is that going to benefit? No one. Plan B is another option out there. Ignorance should not prevent this option from being available to people who are in need of it.

Even when presented with this information, some still insist that it is wrong and seeping with murderous intent. To them I could only smile, shrug, and hope that their church official knows as much about contraception as my gynecologist.

(To see the Washington Post article discussed above, click here).