``They're using medical technology as political propaganda. They don't provide true medical care. What they do is malpractice, by not giving women unbiased information on all their options...
"They are integrating increasing numbers of medical services in what they do, offering free pregnancy tests and low-cost testing for sexually transmitted diseases and sonographs. . . . [But] if they are going to practice medicine -- and as they add these tests they are practicing medicine -- they either need to practice it legitimately or cut out the charade." Gloria Feldt, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Associated Press, February 1, 2002
"Sonograms should be used as a medical diagnostic tool, and we believe they are using sonograms to manipulate the patient's decision," Karen Pearl, [executive director of Planned Parenthood Nassau County] said. "They are using a medical test as a coercive tactic."
Francesca Angelo, [medical director
of the Family Planning Center in Mineola] said, "The bottom line is no
woman is going to want an abortion after she sees a sonogram." "Dillon
and Spitzer Clash Over Abortion" by
Nancy H. Tilgham, Deer Park, The New York Times February 24, 2002
"Kate Michelman, president of the NARAL (National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League), said ultrasound is a valuable technology that is being misused by abortion foes.
"It never fails to amaze me how little respect they have for women's capacity to understand what goes on in our bodies,'' Michelman said. ``I faced a crisis pregnancy after having three children, and I didn't need anyone to show me a sonogram to inform me that my pregnancy would result in giving birth to a person.'' Associated Press, February 1, 2002
"In fact, a comparison of CPCs and [abortion]clinics providing comprehensive reproductive health care shows that only the comprehensive clinics provide women with the full range of medically accurate information and family planning services they need to make informed, reproductive health decisions." www.caral.org [California Abortion Rights Action League]
"Seeing a blown up moving
image of the embryo she is carrying can be distressing to a woman who is about
to undergo an abortion. The screen should be turned away from the patient.
Staff members also may be affected by the sonographic images and may need
some opportunities for venting their feelings and reconfirming their priorities."
- Dr. Sally Dorfman, Ob/Gyn News
"By posing as health care facilities for pregnant women -- and providing free services -- these organizations take advantage of . . . women," Joan Malin, [President of Planned Parenthood of NYC] wrote in a February [2001] complaint to state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer. The state attorney general's office is looking into those allegations, a spokesman said."Newsday, May 1, 2001
"From what I understand, they're offering a sonogram with one intent -- to convince a woman to carry to term...But Karen Pearl, [president and chief executive] of Planned Parenthood of Nassau County said the sonogram of a 6-week-old fetus shows very little."At that stage, there's nothing to see, mostly just gray and white," she said."This is a tactic to harass and coerce women." Newsday, May 1, 2001
"A sonogram is a picture shown on a video display terminal that is obtained by bouncing sound waves off an object. It is frequently performed by inserting a probe into the vagina. This harmless procedure, diagnostic ultrasound, shows the fetus in the uterus and makes it possible to obtain valuable information about the fetus such as how many weeks or gestational age, and if there are any abnormalities or unusual findings. For instance, tubal or ectopic pregnancy can be diagnosed and prompt treatment can be given thus avoiding a serious, life-threatening condition. Multiple pregnancies can be diagnosed early which increases the safety for the woman whether she chooses to continue or terminate the pregnancy." Women's Community Medical Clinics, California, Member of the National Abortion Federation http://www.womenscommunitymedicalclinic.com.
