An award-winner when first published, this book has become a classic text for health activists and feminists interested in the complexities of how drugs are developed, marketed and sold to women around the world. In this book the authors review the unusual history of the French abortion pill, RU 486 (mifepristone). They scrutinize the science and politics from inception through to its use on women. Is RU 486 a miracle drug for abortion that is a safe and effective alternative to conventional abortion procedures? Does it privatise and de-medicalise the abortion experience? Is its availability a victory for women? Is RU 486 safe for use in Third World countries and remote rural areas? Who benefits from chemical abortion and how does RU 486 affect existing abortion services? The authors argue that the positive claims made for RU 486 (mifepristone) are filled with myths and misconceptions. RU 486 used on its own is a failed abortifacient and needs the addition of a prostaglandin, a dangerous drug. But the 'success' rates of the drug cocktail RU 486/prostaglandin remain at 92 to 95 per cent compared with 98 to 99 per cent for suction abortions.
Suction abortions, which are best done with a local anaesthetic, involve no harmful drugs and are completed in 30 minutes. By contrast, RU 486/PG abortions last for days, sometimes weeks. Heavy bleeding, transfusions, vomiting, severe pain and infection are among the unpredictable adverse effects. Women have died from sepsis and cardiovascular events. RU 486/PG abortion benefits the medical profession, drug companies and government health economies. Through painstaking research and analysis the authors uncover the truth that chemical abortion is ill-conceived and unethical. They caution that low-tech abortion services are under threat as the mainstream hails RU 486 abortion as 'safe and effective' which it is not.
Industry Reviews
"This is an eminently readable and thought-provoking book. The authors' concern for the rights and welfare of women is evident throughout [...] RU 486: Misconceptions, Myths and Morals was published in 1991, and it still provides the most up-to-date, independent analysis of information available to us. As such, it is an invaluable knowledge base from which to evaluate the information and publicity generated by the Australian trials." -- Anna Fitzpatrick, The Women's Library Newsletter, Volume 3 No.4 in July 2013, we re-issued RU 486: Misconceptions, Myths and Morals, for which I have written an extensive 100-page preface. Australian women need to know about the problems with chemical abortion so that when it comes to deciding which method to use, they can make an informed decision. Renate Klein, ABC Religion and Ethics
