Tell FDA you oppose this pill

To the editor:

Planned Parenthood and Barr Laboratories are pressuring the FDA to approve the Plan B emergency contraception pill for over-the-counter sales to women over the age of 16 and by prescription to girls under 16. This is not contraception. The risky regimen contains high doses of artificial steroids used in birth-control pills. When taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, it can work a couple of ways. It can inhibit or delay ovulation, or it can irritate the lining of the uterus so a pregnant woman's body rejects the baby, causing a chemical abortion.

What are the risks? Nausea, vomiting, infertility, breast tenderness, life-threatening ectopic pregnancy, blood-clot formations and sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS.

The FDA wants your opinion before issuing a ruling. Please contact the commissioner of the FDA at 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Md. 20857. Tell him that you don't want this drug to be sold over the counter or prescribed to our daughters under the age of 16. Act immediately.

MARCUS SCHAEFER, Benton, Mo.