On May 2, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) declined a formal invitation by AAPLOG to engage in an academic debate on the topic “is induced abortion consistent with good medicine”. The invitation, sent by AAPLOG’s board of directors on May 1, was extended after Duke University’s Civil Discourse Project of the Kenan Institute for Ethics agreed to host this debate. The Civil Discourse Project believes that “the pursuit of truth and healthy civil discourse require the freedom of thought, inquiry, and expression”. In our invitation to ACOG, we echoed these values, stating,
We share in those beliefs about civil discourse and it is in that very spirit that we extend this invitation. Scientific progress and advancement depend on the free exchange of ideas; debate only benefits the wider medical community… We share in those beliefs about civil discourse and it is in that very spirit that we extend this invitation. Scientific progress and advancement depend on the free exchange of ideas; debate only benefits the wider medical community.
After the Washington Post reported on this debate invitation, ACOG sent back a short response turning it down, simply stating,
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists will not debate abortion as a part of essential reproductive healthcare. Rather, we will continue to affirm that the role of abortion in our patients’ lives is settled science.
We are disappointed that ACOG is unwilling to participate in academic debate and allow the free exchange of ideas on an issue that is clearly far from settled among the physicians they claim to represent. This choice to not engage with anyone who disagrees with them follows a pattern of shutting down medical voices that conflict with their radically pro-abortion stance. In February, just days before the conference was set to start, AAPLOG was disinvited from exhibiting at the APGO – CREOG annual meeting. ACOG confirmed to The Federalist that this disinvitation is due to our pro-life views, even though our evidence-based prolife position has not changed from the last 15 years when we had been allowed to exhibit at that conference.
It’s important that ACOG realize that many physicians don’t agree with their radical pro-abortion stance. They need to hear from physicians they claim to represent. We’re wondering if you could help us with this. We are gathering quotes from members like you offering thoughts on ACOG’s claim that their stance aligns with the settled science. We’d love to hear from you what issues you would like to hear a scholarly discussion on between AAPLOG and ACOG related to abortion and its impact on our patients’ health.. Quotes, along with your name and photo, would be posted on our social media.
Would you be willing to submit a comment like this along with a headshot in your white coat? If so, click the button below to message us. You can let us know if you have any questions. Help us defend respectful academic debate on issues that impact not only our patients but also our profession.
