In the case of the Polish study on detecting mifepristone and misoprostol, it is difficult to see how people in need of an abortion could benefit from such a test. Even if you’re concerned about the contents of the pills you order online (a use case mentioned repeatedly in this study), it’s better to test the pills before you take them, rather than after. And tests already exist to confirm that the pills are legal mifepristone and misoprostol.
Train scientific literacy
Scientific papers can be confusing and scary to read, but there are some simple strategies you can use to assess whether claims are supported by good research. If a study involves “only a small number of people, it’s not realistic, especially when it comes to clinical outcomes,” said postdoctoral researcher Andrea Becker. unseal, a research program based at the University of California, San Francisco, notes that a robust study would involve several hundred people. Longitudinal studies that follow subjects over several years are even more likely to produce high-quality results.
Becker said: ANSIRH Turnaway Surveyis an example of rigorous abortion-related research that followed nearly 1,000 women over five years. in contrast, A 2012 study that claimed to prove reversal of abortion pills was possible involved just six women. And the Polish research new york times Mifepristone detection studies involved an even smaller group. single womanmeanwhile Misoprostol detection study The study involved a “male human fetus” that was found “on the sidewalk next to a trash can” three days before it was examined by the research team.
Becker also suggests checking the paper’s citations and funding. If researchers routinely cite her pre-1990s research, “that’s really outdated,” she says. More recent citations may suggest more robust findings. And if a listed funder appears to have an anti-abortion agenda (e.g. Poland’s government is notoriously anti-abortion), this indicates that you should proceed with caution.
Beware of anti-abortion rhetoric
Unbiased research on abortion treats abortion as a common medical procedure and approaches the subject with a neutral tone. If the sources you look at rely heavily on language about how horrible and dangerous abortion is, or how many people regret having had it, then you should be aware of falsehoods about abortion. It is likely that they are trying to give you information.
In theory, there could be a test for mifepristone/misoprostol, says CEO Dr. Regan MacDonald-Mosley. power to decideis a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to advance the sexual and reproductive well-being of all people. However, the research cited there times It contains words that give her pause. “The article contains highly inflammatory statements such as, ‘One of the most dangerous ways to terminate a pregnancy is the use of abortion pills.'” As such, literature from the Crisis Pregnancy Center So I’m already on high alert that the “science” behind this is biased. ”
See what medical experts say
If you are confused about abortion-related charges, your best bet is to talk to your local abortion organization. They will be happy to tell you the facts about abortion. Bracey Sherman also recommends checking out what abortion movement leaders are saying online about an inflammatory new study that makes wild claims about abortion. “If we’re not sounding the alarm, it might be because it’s not happening,” she says.power to decide abortion finder It’s also a great resource, especially if you want to make sure the clinic is a certified abortion provider and not an anti-abortion group masquerading as a clinic.
When in doubt, always consider: ACOG’s toolkit dedicated to combating abortion myths.
don’t be afraid to be loud
One of the most harmful effects of misinformation about abortion is that it increases stigma and makes people more afraid to talk about it. If we want to combat anti-abortion disinformation campaigns, we cannot allow abortion shame to take over the conversation. We must speak loudly and proudly about abortion and remind people that it is a life-saving medical procedure that everyone deserves.
