London, England, Feb 2, 2010 / 06:31 am
A new “emergency contraception” pill called Ellaone is being distributed in the U.K. and claims to be effective up to five days after sexual relations. Some pro-life groups have opposed the drug, saying its use could kill a newly conceived human being.
Dr. Donna Harrison, president of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, told ABC News that fertilization of egg and sperm can only happen within 24 hours of sexual relations. Any emergency contraception five days after intercourse must work by preventing the fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.
“To label this as emergency contraception when it's clearly an abortive action is dishonest,” Harrison charged. “This is a thinly-veiled attempt to get an abortion drug over-the-counter.”
The U.K. group ProLife Alliance said the pill, called Ulipristal Acetate, has the potential to act as an abortifacient. It said the drug could prevent a new embryo from implanting in a woman’s womb.