When a federal court recently ruled that the FDA must lift the age restriction and allow emergency contraception to be accessible, over the counter, to all ages, people started screaming, “abortion pill.” Not this again? Scientific research has determined that emergency contraception is NOT an abortion pill.

Let’s have a quick science lesson: it may take sperm as long as six days to fertilize an egg after sex. Emergency contraception works by postponing ovulation, which prevents sperm from coming in contact with and fertilizing the egg. So, what does that make emergency contraceptives like Plan B and Ella? Exactly what their name says — contraception.

Even the official journal of the Catholic Health Association, “Health Progress,” confirmed in 2010, what many people already know — emergency contraception does not cause abortion. Yet now that the issue is back in the limelight of the media, opponents of women’s rights to health care and choice are once again screaming “abortion pill!” based on fear and a gross lack of scientific knowledge.

We should applaud Judge Edward Korman for his wisdom and foresight in preventing unplanned pregnancies.

Toni Page, Sammamish