Does the Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions?

212 Pages·2014·1.32 MB·English

by  Randy Alcorn

by Randy Alcorn

11th edition, revised 2011
(1st edition August 1997)

(Special thanks to Jessica Farnsworth, MD, who graciously gave
of her time to offer input and edits on the latest revision.)

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Cover Design: Stephanie Anderson
Does the Birth Control Pill Cause Abortions?
Original printing by Eternal Perspective Ministries, August 1997
© 1997 by Randy Alcorn, revised and updated 2007 and 2011
Published by Eternal Perspective Ministries, Sandy, Oregon 97055
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any
form without permission from Eternal Perspective Ministries, except in
the case of brief quotations.
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ISBN-10: 0-9700016-0-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-9700016-0-3
We hope you enjoy this book from Eternal Perspective Ministries. For
more information on other books and products available from EPM, go
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Endorsements by Physicians

“I endorse Randy Alcorn’s book with gusto. He has
answered the title question with the care and
compassion of a pastor, having searched out the facts
with the diligence of an experienced researcher. He
has provided all women in their reproductive years
with an invaluable resource which will allow them to
be fully informed about the Pill.”
William F. Colliton, Jr., M.D.
Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
George Washington University Medical Center

“In this impeccably researched book, Randy Alcorn
takes an unblinking look at what medical experts
know about how birth control pills work. I painfully
agree that birth control pills do in fact cause
abortions. Our individual and collective Christian
response to this heretofore varnished-over
information will have profound consequences for
time and eternity. This is a disturbing must-read for
all who profess to be prolife.”
Beverly A. McMillan, M.D.
Obstetrics/Gynecology

“Does the birth control pill cause abortions? Using
research results from the medical literature, Randy
Alcorn has convincingly shown the answer is ‘yes.’ He
has, with care and compassion, given us the truth.
The question for us as Christians is how we will
respond now that we know.”
Linda Martin, M.D.
Pediatrician
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“This book provides a well-researched, logical
discussion of the abortifacient properties of the birth
control pill. Women need to be fully informed
regarding the moral implications of the Pill, and
Christians need to examine this issue and be willing to
face the inconvenient but important truth. Before I
became fully informed about the Pill I both took it
and prescribed it. How I wish I would have known
then what this books reveals: that the birth control
pill can and does cause abortions.
Jessica J. Farnsworth, M.D.
Family Physician

“No prolife physician can rightly prescribe BCPs after
reviewing this data. I have started circulating this
information.”
Randall Martin, M.D.
Chairman, Department of Anesthesiology,
Columbia Willamette Valley Medical Center

“By carefully detailing the available medical
information concerning the abortifacient effects of
oral contraceptives, Randy Alcorn has developed a
logical and thoughtful challenge to every prolife
person. The conclusions of this study are scientifically
accurate. Birth control pills usually prevent pregnancy,
but sometimes they cause an abortion. Questions?
Objections? Randy has addressed them in a gentle but
firm way. This is the manner in which the often fiery
debate over prolife subjects should be carried out—
unemotionally, intelligently and quietly. The evidence
is before us…‘How should we then live?’”
Patrick D. Walker, M.D.
Professor of Pathology,
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
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“In this challenging book Randy Alcorn has the
honesty to face a tough and uncomfortable question.
This compelling evidence will make you rethink the
question of birth control pills.”
John Brose, M.D.
Surgeon

“From medical textbooks and pharmacy references,
to statements from the Pill manufacturers
themselves, this book proves, beyond any doubt,
the abortion-causing action of birth control pills.
This book should be read by everyone interested in
knowing the truth.”
Paul Hayes, M.D.
Fellow, American College Obstetricians/Gynecologists

“Randy Alcorn has done exceptional work. The facts
in this book parallel much of my own research. I am
delighted he would undertake such a work when
others seek to avoid the subject. This book is a must
for Christians, particularly those in medicine and
Christian ministries.”
Karen D. Garnett, R.N.

“Scientific papers suggest that escape ovulation
occurs 4-15% of all cycles in patients taking birth
control pills. Thus, as this booklet points out, early
chemical abortions are a real and significant
concern.”
Paddy Jim Baggot, M.D., Ob/Gyn
Fellow of the American College of Medical Genetics
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“Randy Alcorn has thoroughly studied and written on
an area where little published scientific information
exists. His responses to this issue, and his outstanding
appendices, are must reading.”
William M. Petty, M.D., Surgeon
Gynecologic Oncology

“Randy Alcorn has once again demonstrated his
tenacity and integrity in pursuing the truth. He has
exposed the abortifacient properties of so-called birth
control agents. This booklet should be required
reading for all discerning Christians who wish to fully
live out their faith.”
William L. Toffler, M.D.
Professor of Family Medicine,
Oregon Health Sciences University

“Somehow the concerns about the abortifacient
effects of the pill and other hormonal contraceptives
never really bothered me. I am amazed now that I
could have ignored this issue in the past. I’ve now
discontinued prescribing hormonal contraception.”
Stephen K. Toadvine, M.D.
Rush-Copley Family Practice, Aurora, IL
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Other Books by Randy Alcorn
FICTION
The Apostle Eternity
Courageous Lord Foulgrin’s Letters
Deadline Safely Home
Dominion The Chasm
Deception The Ishbane Conspiracy
Edge of Eternity

NONFICTION
50 Days of Heaven Picturing Heaven
60 Days of Happiness Pro-Choice or Pro-Life?
90 Days of God’s Goodness ProLife Answers to ProChoice
Beautiful and Scandalous Arguments
Does God Want Us to Be Happy? The Purity Principle
Everything You Always Wanted to The Resolution for Men
Know About Heaven Seeing the Unseen
Face to Face with Jesus Sexual Temptation
Giving Is the Good Life TouchPoints: Heaven
God’s Promise of Happiness The Treasure Principle
The Goodness of God Truth
The Grace and Truth Paradox We Shall See God
hand in Hand Why ProLife?
Happiness
Heaven
Help for Women Under Stress
If God Is Good
In Light of Eternity
It’s All about Jesus
The Law of Rewards
Managing God’s Money
Money, Possessions, and Eternity

CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Heaven for Kids Tell Me About Heaven
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Table of Contents

Introduction
What’s at Stake Here? .......................................................... 12
What Is a Contraceptive? ................................................... 15
My Own Vested Interest in the Pill ................................. 19

Examining the Evidence
The Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR) .......................... 23
Medical Journals and Textbooks ...................................... 27
What Does All This Mean? ............................................... 32
Research Findings Back to the 1970’s ............................. 34
Proabortionists Know: Why Don’t We? ......................... 37
The Pill’s Failure to Prevent Ovulation ........................... 39

What Do the Pill Manufacturers Say?
Searle ..................................................................................... 43
Organon .............................................................................. 48
Wyeth-Ayerst ...................................................................... 49
Ortho-McNeil .................................................................... 52
The Pill’s Third Mechanism: Real or Not? ..................... 54
Pill Manufacturer Employees Speak Up ......................... 56

More Confirming Evidence
Intrauterine Versus Ectopic Pregnancy Ratios .............. 60
Three Physicians and a Pharmacist ................................. 62
Not One, But Five Elements of Risk ............................. 64
The Morning-After Pill: Standard BCPs ......................... 67
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Evidence to the Contrary?
An Interview with Physicians ........................................... 72
Letters from Prolife Physicians ....................................... 74
Letters from Christian Organizations ............................. 76
Article in a Christian Magazine ......................................... 78
Speech by a Prolife Physician .......................................... 80
Clinical Experience ............................................................ 81
Study on Norplant’s Damage to Ova .............................. 82
Statement by 20 Prolife OB/GYN
Specialists Who Are Pro-Pill ...................................... 84
Statement by 26 Prolife OB/GYN Specialists
Who Believe the Pill Causes Abortions ................... 91

How Often Does the Pill Cause Abortions?
Why It’s So Difficult to Know for Sure .......................... 93
Determining Breakthrough Ovulation Rates ................. 94
When the first mechanism fails,
how often does the second work? ............................ 96
When the second mechanism fails,
how often does the third work? ................................ 97

Responding to the Evidence:
Questions & Objections
“If this is true, why haven’t we been told?” .................. 103
“I don’t trust this evidence.” ............................................ 111
“If we don’t know how often abortions happen,
why shouldn’t we take the Pill?” ................................. 112
“Spontaneous miscarriages are common—
early abortions aren’t that big a deal.” ................... 115
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