This letter is in response to the SN editorial "Right to Know," (SN 1/12). The article insinuated that emergency contraception is an abortion pill. Emergency contraception, commonly known as the "morning-after pill," is not an abortion pill at all. The morning-after pill is basically a higher dose of hormones - the same hormones in birth control pills - and should be taken within 72 hours after intercourse. The pill will prevent an ovum from being released and/or fertilized. If pregnancy has already begun, these pills will have no effect on the fetus, and the pregnancy will continue normally.

It is not Planned Parenthood's policy to freely give abortions to just anyone who strolls through their doors. Women are given counseling and are educated about all of their options in order to make the best decision for themselves. A medical assistant, counselor or trained volunteer will sit down with a woman and discuss all of her options and ramifications of parenthood, abortion and adoption.

The Pregnant and Parenting Student Services Act, unfortunately, does not offer a woman all of her options. By omitting referrals to abortion centers, it is not giving women full informed consent to their decisions, which is a violation of most ethical codes in the medical practice.

Hopefully, this act does work to promote educating women and helping them build the life they want, without having a very important decision made for them by old men who haven't the slightest idea about their lives and what they want.

And hopefully you, The State News, will work to report researched facts instead of perpetuating myths and false information to your readers.

Angela Rogers
family community services senior