Ken Buck opposes emergency contraception after rape

Ken Buck, the Weld County District Attorney for Colorado, says he opposes the use of emergency contraception, even in cases of rape and incest.

The politician made his controversial comments on KHOW’s Caplis and Silverman radio show, on August 4. Host Craig Silverman asked Mr Buck: “Let’s say, god forbid, that a 13-year-old boy impregnates his 14-year-old sister and does it by forced rape. You’re saying that the 14-year-old and anybody involved in the abortion should be prosecuted, if they choose to terminate the pregnancy, either through surgical abortion or a morning after pill?”

Buck replied: “I think it is wrong, Craig. I think it is morally wrong.”

Buck supports the Personhood Amendment, a piece of legislation that would grant zygotes (the initial cells that make up human life) citizenship. If passed this law would outlaw abortion and the use of emergency contraception.

Emergency contraception was invented by an American scientist named John Rock. Rock was a Catholic, and wanted to create a medication that worked to prevent pregnancy in a natural way. Nonetheless Rock’s invention faced opposition from the Catholic Church, and did not gain its support.

Debate still rages about the birth control pill. The latest technology in emergency contraception, ellaOne, can be taken up to 5 days after sex. Just like the pill that was originally created by John Rock, it works by increasing levels of the hormone progesterone in the body. Progesterone is naturally produced during pregnancy and after ovulation. ellaOne is thought to be 98% effective in preventing pregnancy; in trials for the drug only 2 in every 100 women who took ellaOne following sex became pregnant.

While some people oppose emergency contraception for religious reasons, doctors and scientists believe it is a useful way for women to avoid unwanted pregnancies.