Long term stress effects of abortion is evidenced in Norwegian study.

Pro-lifers have been claiming this for years, with only anecdotal evidence. Now research seems to support their view (caveat: this is a press discussion of a single study and should be taken as such).

I suspect social factors, such as condemnation of those who abort and anti-abortion polemic are not responsible for the bulk of this post-abortion stress, as it was done in Norway, not Kansas.

I think this is one of several good reasons that society should concern itself with reducing unnecessary abortions.

I would also like to see further studies of this type. If my suspicions are true, the results will be more negative for later term abortions and elective abortions than for earlier term and medically indicated ones.

Those who are pro-choice should, if they are of good will, acknowledge this danger, insofar as the clinical studies support it. This isn't the way to start:

A spokeswoman for the Family Planning Association, said: "There is no evidence to suggest that abortion directly causes psychological trauma.

Now, they may have in mind other studies which show the opposite of the results of this one... but they should say so honestly and directly - "we doubt the validity of this result based on studies X, Y, and Z"... To say that there "is no evidence" after such evidence has just been found is disingenuous.

Pro-lifers and Pro-choicers should come together to increase sex education, decrease poverty, and make emergency contraception easier to get one's hands on. This would be a hell of a lot more productive than fighting and screaming over the legality of abortion, or its constitutional status.

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Posted by smijer at December 12, 2005 08:06 AM