Web site to include anti-abortion message
ANCHORAGE - A panel of doctors responsible for the medical accuracy of the state's official abortion Web site has agreed to change the site to acknowledge certain controversial issues.
The site now will include concerns raised about whether there is a connection between abortion and breast cancer.
The panel of five doctors met Friday to consider more than 50 comments from the public on a draft version of the Web site. They already had given tentative approval to what would be on the site. There was no mention of breast cancer.
The doctors decided to change the Web site to acknowledge the controversy in the areas of breast cancer and fetal pain.
"We've got so much on it. We need to address it," said one of the doctors, John Erkmann.
The obstetrician-gynecologists, all men who volunteered for the task, include two who provide abortions and one who was recruited for the panel by Alaska Right to Life.
Their work comes under legislation approved last year to create a state Web site to ensure women seeking an abortion are fully informed about risks, consequences and options. Once the Web site is up, abortion providers will be required to refer women to it or ensure they are informed another way.
The Web site also will include information on fetal development, family planning, pregnancy and adoption.
Many who commented said the Web site was well done overall. Some wanted more attention on their special issues, such as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure and natural family planning.
Testimony was particularly heavy from people who said studies show a link between breast cancer risk and abortion and who urged the state to tell women that.
"The possible link between abortion and breast cancer has been debated for 50 years, and I don't expect this Web site to conclude the matter," Sen. Fred Dyson, R-Eagle River and the legislation's sponsor, wrote as a public comment.
"Rather than be silent on the issue, it would be helpful to add links to both sides of this argument, so that women can do their own additional research and decision-making."
The Web site will state that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has found that early studies were inconsistent and difficult to interpret and that recent studies argue against a link between an abortion and a subsequent increase in breast cancer risk.
The site will refer readers to additional sources, including references for studies.
"That should make everyone happy," Erkmann said.
Anti-abortion advocates also want to put public attention on the matter of fetal pain.
Many women considering abortion want to know about that, so the Web site should address it, Lynda Belden, director of client services for the Crisis Pregnancy Center in Anchorage, wrote to the state during the comment period.
The doctor panel agreed to note that some experts believe fetuses can feel pain by 20 weeks, while others believe that comes later.
The doctors intend to meet again May 20 to finish their review of the public comments.