Criminalizing Pills

In a post-Roe America, abortion is soaring and we are now faced with an incalculable death toll.

Abortion advocates praise the availability and wide usage of the abortion pill for our current catastrophe. On the other hand, abortion opponents see this as an opportunity to go after distributors, suppliers and manufacturers. Supposing such a targeted approach would curb the trend, they fail to recognize the very serious consequences of such an endeavor.

Perhaps they are unaware that these same medications are actually used for other medical conditions. Misoprostol is one of the most commonly utilized medications to stop postpartum hemorrhages, saving lives and reducing morbidity the world over. Strictly regulating this medication would arguably result in deleterious effects for childbearing women, especially in low-resource settings where other options are difficult to access. It is already stockpiled in every city in America, has a long shelf life, and a 20 year supply could be concealed in a shoe box. But, those who follow the rules would lose access to it.

There are other readily available over-the-counter medications and supplements that are well known to cause abortion, which will not be published here. Likely the reader has some in their medicine cabinet. If somehow, after 20 or 30 years of prohibition of Misoprostol and Mifepristone, aborting women ran out of their stockpiles – they would quickly start publishing how-to recipes with alternative ingredients. Then what? Prohibit more medications?

The pill itself can be used for good, or for bad. When an intentional abortion occurs, there is at least one person responsible for the death of another. In some cases, there are multiple culpable parties. Excusing the primary agent may be popular, but it’s not right. The fruit is before our eyes.

In Missouri, our statutes recognize the unborn as having every right, privilege, and immunity available to them as any other resident of this state. Yet, we fail to follow the law and provide protection for that unborn child. SB 775 is consistent with the law of the land. It’s consistent with justice. It’s consistent with God’s law. Until we stand for what is right, we will continue to see Missouri circling the drain.