Abortion Anxiety

THE NEW ZEALAND HERALD, Jan. 5 — The conclusion of New Zealand professor David Fergusson’s latest research, which suggests a strong link between abortion and mental illness, is exactly what he didn’t expect to present.

Because he is “pro-choice,” Fergusson said, “it’s obvious I’m not acting out of any agenda.”

In conducting the largest international study of its kind, researchers found that “those having an abortion had elevated rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal behaviors and substance abuse,” said the report.

Fergusson said he had trouble getting his findings published, particularly in the United States, due to bias.

Indiana Ban?

EVANSVILLE COURIER & PRESS, Jan. 6 — State Republican Representative Troy Woodruff has introduced a bill in the Indiana State Legislature that would make abortion illegal.

Woodruff said the bill, if passed, would no doubt be overturned by the courts but gain a hearing by the U.S. Supreme Court, which might, by then, be disposed to use it to overturn the court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which made abortion legal throughout the country.

He added that the bill would give the people, who have never had an opportunity to vote on the matter, to do so through their elected representatives.

School Spirit

ALL HEADLINE NEWS, Jan. 5 — A national survey has found that high-school seniors are “remarkably conservative on issues surrounding abortion” and favor restrictions on the practice.

Researchers at Hamilton College in upstate New York found that students “appeared supportive of abortion rights” when asked general questions — but responses to more detailed questions showed that “most seniors regard abortion as morally wrong” and that they “would significantly limit” it.

Consistent with the finding that “religion and reported church attendance are powerful influences on abortion … opinions,” the results showed a higher adherence to Church teachings among Catholics who said that they went to church more than four times a month.