Comments on: APA appoints task force on abortion and mental health

By: ken

ken — Thu, 17 May 2007 19:00:02 +0000

I don’t think the criteria should be whether someone is pro-choice or pro-life, but whether they are more likely to use the findings to advance medical knowledge and help the women in question or use the findings to attempt to push their own personal, political agendas.

By: Warren

Warren — Wed, 16 May 2007 13:06:57 +0000

Whether pro-life or pro-choice, if you have already made up your mind about an issue, it seems there would be a need for a balancing perspective on a task force designed to review a controversial issue. If no truly neutral people can be found then a task force should be constructed in such a way that evidence for all points of view can be offered.

The issue is not exclusively pro-life v. pro-choice. It is possible to be pro-choice politically (David Fergusson) but believe there are negative mental health consequences to abortion for some number of women.

By: Ann

Ann — Wed, 16 May 2007 05:56:33 +0000

Since the panel will be inquiring into abortion and associated mental health outcomes, that is to say into those conditions which follow on from abortion, why, logically should pro-lifers be included? Their position, surely, would preclude any possibility that there would be consequences for abortion, since they would not countenance it happening anyway.

By: Justina Powers

Justina Powers — Tue, 15 May 2007 21:05:46 +0000

“If you wish to have a say in APA issues, join. . .”

Yes, this is a difficult issue. I hear you, and I respect the idea that change comes from within. But, if I join, my fees will go toward funding issues that I do not agree with. . .

Dr. Justina Powers

By: Timothy Kincaid

Timothy Kincaid — Tue, 08 May 2007 22:56:49 +0000

urgg…

“… final report will have been subjected…”

By: Timothy Kincaid

Timothy Kincaid — Tue, 08 May 2007 22:56:01 +0000

Let’s hope the final report has been subjected to adequate review and comment by all concerned and that it reflects scientific observation that is not swayed in either direction by political or religious ideologies. I’m sure that Dr. Throckmorton will update us and I hope you have comments at that time.

By: Rachel MacNair

Rachel MacNair — Tue, 08 May 2007 21:29:16 +0000

To Timothy Kincaid —

I have looked into the positions of the other members. Appelbaum, as far as I can tell, is a neutral methodology person. West and Dutton have extensive work on domestic abuse of women, with no comment on abortion at all. They are all three excellent choices. I am delighted that they are on the Task Force.

It may well be that the reviewers on the report will be able to make up for what’s missing in the membership of the Task Force. However, the fact that a perspective is so deliberately missing would naturally be a cause for concern.

By: Warren

Warren — Tue, 08 May 2007 19:32:05 +0000

None of the members have expressed any public concerns about the current APA position. The members who were selected due to their research into abortion and mental health issues have all been on record about their position. The other members were not selected due to their research expertise in abortion and mental health, rather for other issues as noted by Rhea Farberman.

By: Timothy Kincaid

Timothy Kincaid — Tue, 08 May 2007 19:27:25 +0000

Warren,

Have you or Dr. MacNair looked into the positions of the other members on the panel? I would think that if there are at least one or two who are disinclined to support the positions of the other three that there could be a credible report – provided that they also agree with the conclusions.

In other words, a report need not be in opposition to the presumptions of the majority as long as it addresses any concerns of those who do not have those presumptions. Otherwise the standard for credibility would be an impossible one: that all reports disagree with the majority of the members of a panel – an unlikely conclusion.

Ms. Powers,

If you wish to have a say in the positions of the APA, join it.

By: Justina Powers, PhD

Justina Powers, PhD — Tue, 08 May 2007 19:09:54 +0000

I see a problem with only allowing APA members to be on the committee. I am a developmental psychologist, and I refuse to join APA because of their pro-abortion stand. I know of other psychologists who feel the same way.

Also, I would like to see a task force designed to study the effects of abortion on the developing baby. . .