Updated: October 28 at 9:38 P.M.
Anderson Cooper, primary anchor for CNN, dismissed a series of videos and pictures aimed at framing Planned Parenthood as heavily edited and taken out of context. The videos were produced by The Center for Medical Progress, an anti-abortion organization, who just this week, was outed by CNN and other media outlets for creating fraud videos aimed at discrediting Planned Parenthood. With House Republicans creating a special committee aimed at investigating Planned Parenthood based on the fraud videos, it is important for Christians to fully learn the whole issue before jumping on the anti-Planned Parenthood bandwagon.
No Easy Solution
The topic of abortion is not an easy one. There are no easy solutions. Biola is far from short of its convictions and its principles, and most students would agree the sanctity of life is an important part of their faith. Regardless of one’s convictions, it is important for individuals to view the current situation by becoming familiar with both sides of the debate.
First, it is important to question the credibility of the recent videos. The video claims Planned Parenthood was selling fetuses to researchers, but we must note, according to AJ+, “the costs mentioned are reimbursable storage and transportation costs, standard in the medical field.” It is also important to note Planned Parenthood does not profit, but donates the fetal tissue for medical research. Medical research that has, according to AJ+, “aided research for diseases like Parkinson’s and vaccines for Polio.” Furthermore, a recent article by CNN shows the pictures and videos aimed at discrediting Planned Parenthood are fraudulent and misleading.
Services Provided
Politicians such as Bobby Jindal, Mike Huckabee and Ben Carson have opposed the reproductive health and maternal health service provider despite the fact abortion services account for only three percent of all Planned Parenthood health services. Planned Parenthood also provides cancer treatment for its patients.
“Breast cancer is a serious health concern. After skin cancer, it’s the most common type of cancer in American women. About 230,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year in the U.S. and 40,000 women will die from it,” according to its website. Not only does Planned Parenthood provide ultrasounds, the organization also provides checkup and care for STDs.
Popularity and Education
Over 2.7 million men and women visit Planned Parenthood on a daily basis and one in five women has visited a Planned Parenthood health center at least once in her life. Comprehensive sex education is an important part of any student’s education, and it is important to note, according to its website, “Planned Parenthood affiliates provide educational programs and outreach to 1.5 million young people and adults each year.” Planned Parenthood is established as one of the nation’s most significant advocate for women’s health and well-being. It has provided over 400,000 pap tests, 500,00 breast exams, prevents 516,000 unintended pregnancies annually, and has provided over 4.5 million tests and treatments for STDs.
Essential Health Provider
Planned Parenthood is an essential health provider for women nationwide. Defunding Planned Parenthood will have a significant effect, and will have unprecedented reverberations in communities, especially those that are economically disadvantaged. As Christians, we should advocate health, promote education and consider more diplomatic measures than simply defunding Planned Parenthood.
