The ProLife Alliance defends the right to life of a human being from the very first moment of conception, not from when the embryo implants in the womb.  We oppose, therefore, any intervention which could result in the deliberate ending of that life once created.

The new post-coital pill, billed as emergency contraception, will still have the potential to act as an abortifacient as far as we understand, particularly if taken 5 days after intercourse. 

If the drug is taken after unprotected sex we identify three possibilities in relationship to conception:

i. Ovulation for whatever reason does not occur, either because it was the wrong time in the menstrual cycle or as a direct result of the drug;

ii. Ovulation occurs but the drug prevents fertilization;

iii. Fertilisation takes place but the drug prevents implantation by altering the receptivity of the womb.

It is impossible to know which of these possibilities is likely in any given case and therefore to distinguish between the contraceptive and abortifacient capacities of the drug.

Prescriptions for the existing post-coital pill have escalated in recent years and unwanted pregnancies and abortions also continue to rise.  It is difficult to imagine this new drug will make any significant difference. 

The possibility that it will function as an abortifacient, preventing implantation after conception, makes it unacceptable to anybody defending the right to life of the human embryo.

An Italian professor of chemistry and member of the Italian National Bioethics Committee is preparing a more detailed analysis for those interested which will be up on our website shortly.