Burnt Orange Report

I can only assume that the Petition is being prepared right now as we speak to get a restraining order to prevent the implementation of this psudeo-science. (The anti-choice people ought to be honest and just admit that this law is intended to deter abortions. They lie about the motives oif the law because such an admission would certainly make it consitutionally infirm - kind of like former Alabama Justice Moore's self-righteousness doomed him when he honestly stated that he displayed the 10 commandments to promote the tie between religion and law).

One aggravating thing about the 24 hour waiting period provision is how condescending it is to women. Its proponents argue that it gives a woman time to reflect on such a important decision. Well, here's the News Flash: that woman has been reflecting on this difficult choice for a hell of a long time before she walked through that clinic door.

I am curious as to whether any abortion providers were consulted by the State Department of Health in developing this propoganda piece.

Burnt Orange is highly misleading in this post. The language from the State of Texas pamphlet and the National Cancer Institute page are extremely similar. I have included every word the Texas pamphlet has in its breast cancer section.

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Texas: "Your chances of getting breast cancer are affected by your pregnancy history. If you have carried a pregnancy to term as a young woman, you may be less likely to get breast cancer in the future."

NCI: "At present, the factors known to increase a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer include age (a woman’s chances of getting breast cancer increase as she gets older), a family history of breast cancer, an early age at first menstrual period, a late age at menopause, a late age at the time of birth of her first full-term baby, and certain breast conditions."

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Texas: "However, you do not get the same protective effect if your pregnancy is ended by an abortion. The risk may be higher if your first pregnancy is aborted."

NCI: Silent on the issue, but NCI does refer to first "full-term" pregnancy. The NCI implies that an aborted pregnancy does not provide protection against breast cancer.

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Texas: "While there are studies that have found an increased risk of developing breast cancer after an induced abortion, some studies have found no overall risk."

NCI: "Findings from some studies suggested there was no increase in risk of breast cancer among women who had had an abortion, while findings from other studies suggested there was an increased risk."

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Texas: "There is agreement that this issue needs further study."

NCI: "Basic, clinical, and population research will continue to be supported which investigate the relationship and the mechanisms of how hormones in general and during pregnancy influence the development of breast cancer."

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Texas: "If you have a family history of breast cancer or clinical findings of breast disease, you should seek medical advice from your physician before deciding whether to remain pregnant or have an abortion. It is always important to tell your doctor about your complete pregnancy history."

NCI: Silent on consulting with a physician regarding seeking an abortion. But NCI does recommend seeking advice on breast cancer: "Women who have a higher than average risk of breast cancer (for example, women with a family history of breast cancer) should seek expert medical advice about whether they should be screened before age 40, and how frequently they should be screened."

No big surprise. The Republicans, who like making a big issue of "getting government off of the backs of people", have no second thoughts about forcing the will of a vocal religious minority upon the majority.

This story sent me to the site of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal. This organization is in the vanguard of the struggle against pseudoscience.
I found this interesting article in by Ann Druyan, widow of Dr. Carl Sagan.

CAUTION: This article is not suitable for viewing by fundamentalists with heart problems or weak bladders!

http://www.csicop.org/si/2003-11/ann-druyan.html