Criminalizing Reproduction: Attacks on Science, Medicine and the Right to Choose: "New research establishes yet another horrific consequence of the wanton destruction of Wade Versus Roe: That decision has raised the percentage of people self-managing their abortions - often trying to end their pregnancies in unsafe ways…Obviously, the other concern that comes to my mind is that people will be less likely to seek out help if self-managing an abortion goes wrong, fearing criminalization. (Which is understandable.) Just another reason it’s so important that abortion isn’t only legal—but affordable, accessible, and patient-centered."

PUBLISHER'S NOTE:  In recent years, I have taken on the  theme of criminalizing reproduction - a natural theme for a Blog concerned with  flawed science in its myriad forms  - as I am utterly opposed to the current movement in the United States (and some other countries) emboldened by the overturning of Roe Versus Wade,  towards imprisoning women and their physicians and others who help them secure a safe abortion,  on the basis of sham science (or any other basis). I can’t remember the source, but agree  totally with the sentiment that control over their reproductive lives is far too important to women in America - or anywhere else -  so they can  participate  equally in the economic and social life of their nations without fear for  loss their freedom at the hands of political opportunists and fanatics. (Far too many of those those around these days.) 

Harold Levy: Publisher; The Charles Smith Blog.

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PASSAGE OF THE DAY: "Some of the most common methods of self-managed abortion in 2023 were herbs, hitting themselves in the stomach, lifting heavy things, or using alcohol and drugs. When asked why, reasons ranged from the cost of abortion to being scared of clinic protesters. Lead author and epidemiologist Lauren Ralph says, “Our data shows that making abortion more difficult to access is not going to mean that people want or need an abortion less frequently.”

Obviously, the other concern that comes to my mind is that people will be less likely to seek out help if self-managing an abortion goes wrong, fearing criminalization. (Which is understandable.) Just another reason it’s so important that abortion isn’t only legal—but affordable, accessible, and patient-centered." POST: 'Stats and Studies," from  Feminist Writer Jessica Valenti's Blog 'Abortion, Every Day', published on July 31, 2024.  Abortion, every day'  provides 'feminist commentary and community.'"

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GIST:  "New research shows that the percentage of people self-managing their abortions has risen sharply since the end of Roe. The study, published in JAMA Network, found that approximately 5% of women of reproductive age attempted to end their own pregnancies before Roe was overturned. Now that number is at 7%.

Researchers from Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) at University of California, San Francisco noted an increase in those self-sourcing abortion medication, with requests to one telemedicine service more than doubling since 2022. And while abortion pills and telemedicine have obviously made a huge and positive impact on Americans’ ability to get care in spite of state bans, the study also showed a marked increase in people trying to end their pregnancies in unsafe ways.

Some of the most common methods of self-managed abortion in 2023 were herbs, hitting themselves in the stomach, lifting heavy things, or using alcohol and drugs. When asked why, reasons ranged from the cost of abortion to being scared of clinic protesters.

Lead author and epidemiologist Lauren Ralph says, “Our data shows that making abortion more difficult to access is not going to mean that people want or need an abortion less frequently.”

Obviously, the other concern that comes to my mind is that people will be less likely to seek out help if self-managing an abortion goes wrong, fearing criminalization. (Which is understandable.) Just another reason it’s so important that abortion isn’t only legal—but affordable, accessible, and patient-centered."

The entire post can be read at:

https://jessica.substack.com/p/huge-jump-in-support-for-florida?r=xbsk&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true

PUBLISHER'S NOTE:  I am monitoring this case/issue/resource. Keep your eye on the Charles Smith Blog for reports on developments. The Toronto Star, my previous employer for more than twenty incredible years, has put considerable effort into exposing the harm caused by Dr. Charles Smith and his protectors - and into pushing for reform of Ontario's forensic pediatric pathology system. The Star has a "topic"  section which focuses on recent stories related to Dr. Charles Smith. It can be found at: http://www.thestar.com/topic/charlessmith. Information on "The Charles Smith Blog Award"- and its nomination process - can be found at: http://smithforensic.blogspot.com/2011/05/charles-smith-blog-award-nominations.html Please send any comments or information on other cases and issues of interest to the readers of this blog to: hlevy15@gmail.com.  Harold Levy: Publisher: The Charles Smith Blog.

• SEE BREAKDOWN OF  SOME OF THE ON-GOING INTERNATIONAL CASES (OUTSIDE OF THE CONTINENTAL USA) THAT I AM FOLLOWING ON THIS BLOG,  AT THE LINK BELOW:  HL:
  
  
  https://www.blogger.com/blog/post/edit/120008354894645705/4704913685758792985
  
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  FINAL WORD:  (Applicable to all of our wrongful conviction cases):  "Whenever there is a wrongful conviction, it exposes errors in our criminal legal system, and we hope that this case — and lessons from it — can prevent future injustices."
  Lawyer Radha Natarajan:
  Executive Director: New England Innocence Project;
  
  
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  FINAL, FINAL WORD: "Since its inception, the Innocence Project has pushed the criminal legal system to confront and correct the laws and policies that cause and contribute to wrongful convictions.   They never shied away from the hard cases — the ones involving eyewitness identifications, confessions, and bite marks. Instead, in the course of presenting scientific evidence of innocence, they've exposed the unreliability of evidence that was, for centuries, deemed untouchable." So true!
  
  
  Christina Swarns: Executive Director: The Innocence Project;

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