Groups petition FDA to revoke approval of abortion pill
After reports of deaths, severe hemorrhaging, serious bacterial infections, heart attacks, and other major medical trauma associated with abortion drug RU-486, three organizations have petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to revoke its approval.

"From the outset, the process used by the FDA to bring RU-486 to the U.S. market was fraught with violations of the FDA's established norms for ensuring drug safety and effectiveness," says the petition (executive summary | full text | statistics), signed by the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the Christian Medical Association, and Concerned Women for America. "Regardless of one's position on abortion, FDA's violations of its standards and rules have put women's health and lives at risk."

More on life ethics:

• Spare embryos | If they're going to die anyway, does that really entitle us to treat them as handy research material? (Gilbert Meilaender, The Weekly Standard, subscription required)
  
  
• Religions reveal little consensus on cloning | Spiritual guidance depends upon the denomination, but is the flock listening? (MSNBC)
  
  
• Bush admin. to push embryo adoption | The administration plans to distribute nearly $1 million for public awareness campaigns promoting donation of embryos, one of several options available to couples who create more than they need for in vitro fertilization (Associated Press)
  
  
• Stem cell debate heats up | The first night of debate on embryonic stem cell research has raised emotions in the Australian Parliament (ABC News, Australia)
  
  
• Cell study opens way for evil, says Australian's deputy prime minister (The Australian)

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