Sarah Mitchell
There is ongoing debate about whether Plan B is an abortifacient or contraceptive. The Catholic Church's position on abortion and the morning-after pill is complex and multifaceted. The Catholic Health Association, which has taken positions contrary to Church teaching on issues such as the Health and Human Services mandate on contraception coverage, has stated that it does not consider Plan B an abortifacient but emergency contraception. However, the Catholic Medical Association has condemned the use of Plan B for victims of rape, citing that it may prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg, which is considered abortion by the Church. The distinction between preventing fertilization and preventing implantation is a crucial moral point in Catholic teaching, and the debate centres around the mechanism by which Plan B works and whether it impedes ovulation or prevents implantation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic definition of abortion | Any destruction of a fertilized human egg |
| American Medical Association's definition of abortion | Any destruction of an embryo following its implantation |
| Barr Pharmaceuticals' definition of Plan B | Strictly contraceptive, prevents implantation of a fertilized egg |
| Catholic Health Association's stance on Plan B | Not an abortifacient, considered emergency contraception |
| Dr. Sandra E. Reznik's view on Plan B | Most effective emergency contraceptive agent available |
| Theologian Lisa Sowle Cahill's opinion on Plan B | If Plan B never causes abortions, Catholic hospitals should provide it as emergency contraception to rape victims |
| Capuchin Franciscan Fr. Thomas Weinandy's view on Plan B | The distinction between preventing fertilization and implantation is a crucial moral point in Catholic teaching |
| Dr. Chris Kahlenborn's opinion on Plan B | Plan B works as an abortifacient |
| Father Christopher Kubat's view on Plan B | Plan B is not acceptable to use post-sexual assault |
| Dr. Kahlenborn's estimate of Catholic hospitals allowing Plan B | 75% |
| Governor John Bel Edwards' view on Plan B | Plan B is at least potentially abortifacient |
| Catholic Medical Association's stance on Plan B | Condemns the use of Plan B for rape victims |
| National Catholic Bioethics Center's stance on Plan B | Plan B remains an abortifacient |
| Plan B's mechanism of action | Prevents ovulation or prevents implantation of a fertilized egg |
| Abortion according to Catholic Answers Q&A | Killing of an unborn human person |
| Plan B's mechanism of action according to Catholic Answers Q&A | Prevents implantation of a fertilized egg |
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What You'll Learn
Plan B's mechanism and function
Plan B is a type of emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) that contains levonorgestrel, a hormonal medication. It is available under various brand names, including Plan B One-Step, Julie, Levonelle, and NorLevo, and can be purchased over-the-counter in some countries, such as the United States. Plan B is intended to be used after unprotected sex or a contraceptive accident, and it must be taken within 72 hours, with its effectiveness increasing the sooner it is taken.
The primary mechanism of action of levonorgestrel in Plan B is to prevent fertilization by inhibiting or delaying ovulation, thereby preventing the release of an egg from the ovary. This results in a situation where there is "no egg, no fertilization, no pregnancy". Additionally, levonorgestrel may also thicken cervical mucus, creating a more challenging environment for sperm to navigate.
The distinction between preventing fertilization and preventing implantation is a crucial aspect in the discussion of Plan B's mechanism and function. The Catholic Church defines abortion as any destruction of a fertilized human egg, while the American Medical Association defines abortion as the destruction of an embryo following its implantation, typically occurring about seven days after fertilization. This distinction has significant moral implications for Catholics, as preventing implantation may be viewed as abortion under Catholic doctrine.
There is debate within the Catholic community regarding whether Plan B acts as an abortifacient. Some Catholic health journals and theologians assert that Plan B is solely a contraceptive and does not cause abortions. However, some Catholic physicians and researchers argue that there is growing evidence that Plan B may function as an abortifacient in certain cases, potentially causing the destruction of human life within five days of fertilization. This controversy has led to differing opinions among Catholic bishops, hospitals, and organizations regarding the moral acceptability of Plan B.
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The Catholic Church's stance
The Catholic Church defines abortion as any destruction of a fertilized human egg, while the American Medical Association (AMA) defines it as the destruction of an embryo following implantation, typically about seven days after fertilization. This distinction is vital in the Plan B debate, as the drug may prevent implantation, which the Church considers abortion.
Some Catholic bishops and health facilities have interpreted Plan B as an abortifacient, especially in light of growing evidence presented by physicians like Dr. Chris Kahlenborn, who argue that the drug may act as an abortifacient in many cases. Dr. Kahlenborn and his collaborators have expressed frustration with the lack of response from Church authorities to their findings, which challenge the morality of providing Plan B in Catholic hospitals.
However, there is also a contrary view within the Church. The Catholic Health Association, for example, does not consider Plan B an abortifacient but rather emergency contraception. Theologians like Lisa Sowle Cahill support this stance, arguing that if Plan B does not cause abortions, Catholic hospitals should provide it as emergency contraception to rape victims. Additionally, some bishops in various states have allowed hospitals in their dioceses to administer the morning-after pill to rape victims.
The debate over Plan B's mechanism of action and its moral implications continues within the Catholic Church. While some consider it an abortifacient, others argue that it is solely contraceptive or that the risk of causing an abortion is reasonable in certain circumstances, such as in the case of rape. The Church's official position on Plan B remains unresolved, with various entities within the Church holding differing views.
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The medical community's definition of pregnancy
Pregnancy is the state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the female body. Pregnancy usually lasts about 40 weeks, or just over 9 months, as measured from the last menstrual period to delivery. It is divided into three trimesters of about three months each. The first trimester includes conception, which is when the sperm fertilizes the egg. The fertilized egg then travels down the fallopian tube and attaches to the inside of the uterus, where it begins to form the embryo and placenta. During the first trimester, the possibility of miscarriage (natural death of the embryo or fetus) is at its highest. The major events in each trimester are described below.
Between 18 and 20 weeks, an ultrasound can be used to look for congenital anomalies, and the sex of the baby can often be determined. During the second trimester, the fetus undergoes a series of developments. Its physical parts become fully distinct and at least somewhat operational. With the best medical care, a second-trimester fetus born prematurely has at least some chance of survival, although developmental delays and other handicaps may emerge later. As the fetus grows in size, the mother's pregnant state will begin to be obvious. In the third trimester, the fetus enters the final stage of preparation for birth.
During the final days of pregnancy, some women feel too much discomfort to continue their usual activities, although others report greatly increased energy just before birth. Pregnancy ends when the birth process begins. The postpartum period, also referred to as the puerperium, is the postnatal period that begins immediately after delivery and extends for about six weeks. During this period, the mother's body begins to return to pre-pregnancy conditions, including changes in hormone levels and uterus size.
Prenatal care includes avoiding recreational drugs (including tobacco and alcohol), taking regular exercise, having blood tests, and regular physical examinations. Complications of pregnancy may include disorders of high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, iron-deficiency anemia, and severe nausea and vomiting. In the ideal childbirth, labor begins on its own "at term". Babies born before 37 weeks are "preterm" and are at a higher risk of health problems such as cerebral palsy. Babies born between 39 and 40 weeks are considered "full term" and have better health outcomes than infants born earlier or, in some cases, later than this period.
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The Catholic Health Association's position
The Catholic Health Association (CHA) has stated that it does not consider Plan B an abortifacient but emergency contraception. This position is based on the understanding that Plan B works by impeding ovulation and not by preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg.
The distinction between preventing fertilization and preventing implantation is a crucial moral point in Catholic teaching. The Catholic definition of abortion is the destruction of a fertilized human egg, while the American Medical Association’s definition is the destruction of an embryo following its implantation, typically about seven days after fertilization. This discrepancy in definitions lies at the heart of the debate over whether Plan B is contraceptive or abortifacient.
The CHA's position is informed by the article in the official journal of the Catholic Health Association, Health Progress, which stated that Plan B works only as a contraceptive and does not cause abortions. This finding could be pivotal for Catholic health facilities worldwide, providing a moral justification for administering Plan B in cases of rape. Theologian Lisa Sowle Cahill of Boston College has argued that if Plan B never causes abortions, Catholic hospitals should provide it as emergency contraception to rape victims.
However, the CHA's stance contradicts the teachings of the Catholic Church, which considers abortion as the killing of an unborn human person, beginning at fertilization rather than implantation. This divergence highlights the complexity of the issue and the existence of differing opinions within the Catholic community.
While the CHA does not classify Plan B as an abortifacient, it is important to note that the Catholic Medical Association (CMA) has condemned its use for victims of rape. The CMA emphasizes that Plan B may prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg, which aligns with the Catholic definition of abortion. The National Catholic Bioethics Center, an influential organization, also considers Plan B an abortifacient, underscoring the ongoing debate and differing interpretations within the Catholic community.
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The influence of the National Catholic Bioethics Center
The National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC) is a Catholic, non-profit think tank and research centre specialising in upholding and teaching Catholic principles on medical ethics. It is the preeminent Catholic medical ethics institution in the United States. Its board of directors includes three Cardinals and five Archbishops. The NCBC focuses on four key areas: consultation, education, publication, and public policy. It provides critical information to institutions and individuals grappling with ethical issues, using Catholic moral thought to protect human dignity in medicine and the life sciences.
The NCBC has been influential in shaping Catholic dialogue and practice around medical ethics. For example, the NCBC developed an extensive set of online resources for the COVID-19 pandemic, and it educates candidates in Catholic medical-moral teaching through its distance learning program, "The National Catholic Certification Program in Health Care Ethics." The NCBC also provides moral analysis to the offices of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the Vatican.
The NCBC's influence extends to the ongoing debate among Catholics about whether Plan B is an abortifacient or a contraceptive. Plan B is the nation's most widely used emergency contraceptive, and its use is contentious among Catholics. While some Catholic bishops and hospitals have allowed its use in rape cases, others argue that it can cause the destruction of human life within five days of fertilization and thus should be considered an abortifacient. The NCBC has not taken an official stance on Plan B, but its position could significantly impact Catholic health facilities and individuals grappling with this ethical dilemma.
The NCBC's silence on Plan B has frustrated some Catholic physicians and researchers, who argue that the drug is an abortifacient and that the NCBC should use its influence to effect change. Dr. Chris Kahlenborn, a member of the Catholic Medical Association, has investigated Plan B for 20 years and believes the NCBC's stance could be pivotal: "The USCCB has made no movement to change their position... despite overwhelming medical evidence over the past few years." The NCBC's position on Plan B remains to be seen, but its influence in shaping Catholic medical ethics is undeniable.
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Frequently asked questions
There is a dispute among Catholics about whether Plan B is an abortifacient. Some Catholic health journals and theologians argue that Plan B is not an abortifacient, while others argue that it is. The Catholic Medical Association has condemned the use of Plan B for victims of rape, stating that it may prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg, which is considered abortion according to Catholic doctrine.
Abortion is considered the killing of an unborn human person, with human life beginning when a woman's egg is fertilized. The Catholic view differs from the American Medical Association's definition, which defines abortion as the destruction of an embryo following its implantation, typically about seven days after fertilization.
There is no clear consensus on this issue. Some Catholic hospitals allow the use of Plan B in cases of rape, while others do not. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has not issued a condemnation of Plan B, but individual bishops and dioceses may have their own stances on the matter.
