RU486

Much has been said about the controversial mifepristone, better known as RU486. The extensive debate and discussion on whether this drug should be allowed in Australia, heard from across parliament, elected representatives, religious groups, non-government organisations, concerned (or just curious) individuals, has left but more trails of unresolved issues and questions. As a hot topic running for weeks now, it has opened a pandora's box of other concerns, many political, such as who should have the final say and the power to approve or reject the entry of this abortion drug into the country. As of the most recent event, the bill to remove the veto power of the health minister on decisions concerning RU486 has been passed, thereby giving control regarding the matter to the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Surely, many people would be posing the same the question of whether this is the wisest move or not, as the TGA has a past history of its own. Then again, that's another story.

Drilling down to the real reasons for the many arguments and differing contentions regarding the said drug, the bulk of the talk would either be on health and safety implications for women, or moral and personal beliefs regarding abortion. On health issues, I suppose any form of abortion would have its risks and danger, be they surgical or medical. Surgical abortion is legally practised in Australia, and therefore many pro-choice groups contend the so called absurdity and hypocricy of banning medical abortion methods such that RU486 would be able to do. On the same note, the argument that medically tested drug or procedure is by far safer for women wanting to terminate pregnancy than for them to undergo dodgy ways in the absence of something suitable and easily accessible, does have logic. They say that in other countries where the drug is already available, abortion rate didn't increase in general, but there was in the proportion of terminated pregnancy in its early stages. One concern is on how readily this drug can be made available to women, objectively speaking there should still be some regulation on its availability, proper education on health implications, etc. But there are so many other questions... and uncertainties... like how would this affect the sense of responsibility in people when something that would reverse any results of their actions is made readily available? When we venture into individual principles and stance on the matter, yes, RU486 will be an issue to many. Then again, there will always be two sides of a coin... varying arguments, clashing beliefs and opinions, there will be no end to the debate.

Australia will let the bill for RU486 pass. It has already been expressed that anyone's moral or religious compunction shouldn't be a basis for making regulations; that health issues and benefits be given priority in the decision over the matter on conscience. I am not saying I am for the passing of the bill, for I still have strong beliefs of my own, which I will keep for myself and not impose on anyone nor use as a basis to judge anyone with a differing view. My opinion would probably not matter in this case, nor would many others', because obviously there are better and more well-informed people making the decisions. It is just my hope that whatever is decided on, those people in power who OK'ed a bill follow through and maintain a certain standard around the matter.