For immediate release:
Thursday, May 04, 2006

For more information:
Megan Dillon (202) 626-8825;
mediarelations@nrlc.org

National Right to Life: AGI Report Recycles Old Data with New Political Spin
 
A "new" report released today by the Alan Guttmacher Institute (AGI), the research arm of Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider, recycles old data with a new political spin. 
 
"This 'new' AGI report argues that increased government funding of abortion will help make abortions safer and rarer, but their evidence indicates differently.  According to their own charts, the states that have the most permissive policies for tax-funded abortions are the ones that typically have abortion rates above the national average," stated Randall K. O'Bannon, Ph.D., director of Education and Research for National Right to Life. 
 
The AGI report discusses elements that theoretically may have reduced pregnancies, but does not explain what has caused more already-pregnant women to choose life, rather than abortion, for their unborn babies.  The clearest explanation for this change in abortion-related attitudes and actions is pro-life legislation, education and outreach. 
 
"The fact that there are fewer 'unintended pregnancies' and that the proportion of pregnant women choosing abortion has declined indicates that there has been a positive change in the attitudes and actions of women toward their unborn children, a change that we believe is due in part to 'women's right to know' legislation, the increased use of 4-D ultrasounds and the proliferation of pro-life pregnancy care centers offering women practical help and alternatives to abortion," said Dr. O'Bannon.   
 
"This report expresses great concern for the plight of poor women, but it is interesting that Guttmacher's repeated calls for an increase of federal funding for abortion would amount to taxpayer dollars going NOT to poor women, but into the pockets of abortionists," stated Dr. O'Bannon.  "As usual, AGI proposes abortion as the solution for poor women and women in crises." 
 
National Right to Life is the nation's largest pro-life organization, with 50 state affiliates and approximately 3,000 local affiliates nationwide. NRLC works through legislation and education to protect those threatened by abortion, infanticide, euthanasia, and assisted suicide.