Associated Press
NEW YORK — Convinced that a look inside the womb will dissuade pregnant women from abortion, anti-abortion activists hope to provide ultrasound equipment to hundreds of pregnancy centers that promote abortion alternatives including adoption.
Congressional allies are drafting a bill that would provide federal funding for the project, which abortion rights groups bitterly oppose.
"They’re using medical technology as political propaganda," said Gloria Feldt, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
Feldt said most so-called crisis pregnancy centers — also known as pregnancy help centers — are guided by an anti-abortion agenda that could override a woman’s best interests.
Backers of the ultrasound initiative confirm their goal is to reduce abortion, but say their strategy is noncoercive — they’re simply giving pregnant women more information.
"When they get the information to make an informed choice — once they see the ultrasound — the majority of women chose to carry the pregnancy to term," said Tom Glessner, president of the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates.
Glessner says his institute represents 750 pregnancy centers across the United States. His goal is to have 1,000 centers equipped with ultrasound and certified to use it by 2010.
After some pressure from abortion-rights groups, Yellow Pages directories now list crisis pregnancy centers under the heading of "abortion alternatives," often accompanied by a note explaining that these agencies do not provide counseling on abortion.
Glessner said data from pregnancy centers suggests the percentage of women who abandon plans for an abortion more than triples if they see ultrasound fetal images.
Copyright ©2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
