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CNN World Report

Morning After Pill Sparks Controversy Among Chilean Conservatives

Aired May 27, 2001 - 14:41   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
ASIEH NAMDAR, CNN ANCHOR: Every year in Chile, hundreds of thousands of women undergo illegal abortions. The government want to reduce the procedure by approving the use of the so-called "morning after" contraceptive pill. But the issue has sparked controversy among those in favor of the pill and those who consider it an abortive measure in the predominantly Catholic country. The measure to approve the contraceptive pill reached a court of appeals on May 16th. The decision is still under review.

Chilean National Television has more on the debate.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED CNT REPORTER (voice-over): Efforts to authorize the day-after pill in Chile have been blocked by conservative groups. The trouble began on March 19th when the minister of health gave the green light to Celecio Laboratories to sell the pill.

MICHELLE BACHELET, CHILEAN SECRETARY OF HEALTH (through translator): We agreed to authorize Celecio Laboratories (ph) to sell this pill because there is no evidence it could damage the population. We don't consider it abortive.

UNIDENTIFIED CNT REPORTER: The government's main goal was to halt the 200,000 illegal abortions made every year. Twenty-five percent of women who have an abortion end up in hospital emergency rooms. But the launch of the day-after pill has outraged right-wing parties and the Catholic church.

ENRIQUE PALET, SPEAKER OF THE BISHOP'S CONFERENCE (through translator): In an artificial way, the natural development of a human life is interrupted by avoiding the inseminated egg to nest in the womb.

UNIDENTIFIED CNT REPORTER: In a mostly Catholic country, groups opposed the pill because they thinks it's abortive, but the World Health organization says it is not abortive because it acts before gestation and pregnancy. The pill has a hormonal substance that impedes ovulation and stops the ovule from nesting, but it is only used in emergencies, such as rapes or when anti-contraception systems fail.

ELIZABETH BUNSTER, PRESIDENT, WORLD MOTHERS ORGANIZATION (through translator): Although we realize that a case of rape is hard enough, we believe human life must be respected be under all circumstances, and the way this life was conceived should not make any difference.

UNIDENTIFIED CNT REPORTER: But for pill supporters, the position of conservative groups will just increase abortions in the country. They also criticize the government for authorizing the use of the day- after pill only with a medical prescription. Supporters of the bill argue that prescribing it will make it only harder to get, since it's only useful within 72 hours after intercourse.

Conservative groups went a step further. Three non-government organizations took the case to the court of appeals to stop the sale of the day-after pill, accusing the government of threatening the right to life.

This report was prepared by Valerio Foncia (ph) from Chilean National Television for the CNN WORLD REPORT.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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