Christian Doctors Defend RU–486 Petition to FDA

Washington, May 28, 2004––Physicians with the Christian Medical Association (www.cmawashington.org) today responded to Planned Parenthood and the National Abortion Federation, which sought this week to influence the FDA to dismiss evidence that the abortion drug RU–486 requires a new and proper safety review.

"The economic incentives of abortion and the drive to expand access and the market for abortion seem to have driven a biased assessment by these groups of the scientific evidence," noted CMA Associate Executive Director Gene Rudd, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist.

CMA had joined Concerned Women for America and the American Association of Pro–Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists in submitting a 90–page citizen petition to the FDA in August 2002, showing evidence why the drug had not been proven safe in a rushed and politically pressured decision. The abortion groups filed their objections to the citizen petition with the FDA this week.

"Our citizen petition raised ample scientific concerns regarding the adverse health implications of mifepristone to justify re–evaluation and removal of this product," Dr. Rudd asserted. "Safety concerns were not adequately taken into account during initial evaluation. Sadly, these and new concerns have been realized since the regimen went into use."

Dr. Rudd explained, "U.S. experience with this regimen has resulted in numerous untoward effects, including the recent tragic death of Holly Patterson in California. There is additional concern of gross underreporting of bad outcomes with this drug, as the FDA relies on the very individuals and groups that are likely guilty of abuse and negligence to report their own wrongdoing."