Abstract

PIP: Research on the long-term psychological sequelae of induced abortion has been compromised, in the author's opinion, by pressure to suppress evidence that would support an anti-abortion stance. For example, in their presentation on prolonged grieving after abortion, Brown, Elkins, and Larson feed compelled to quality their findings by stressing the anecdotal, unscientific nature of the experiences summarized. The author of this commentary maintains that his research, challenging the widespread tenet that induced abortion is therapeutic, is unpublishable due to its politically incorrect implications. Abortions continue to be performed despite the lack of proven medical, social, or psychological benefits. Given the infeasibility of a randomized prospective study of abortion in human subjects, it is recommended that a study of 500 pregnant rats aborting at various stages of their pregnancies be conducted, with observations of the subsequent parenting of the surviving young.