Videos Discuss Midterm Elections, Guatemalan STI Experiment, Abortion Access In Peru

The following summarizes selected women's health related videos.

Abortion-Rights Issues Heat Up Midterms: Candidates from both parties are using the issue of abortion rights to rally voters ahead of next month's midterm elections. In discussing GOP candidates' positions, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow recently commented on Sarah Palin's claims that the health reform law (PL 111-148) represents "the biggest expansion of the abortion industry in America" (Maddow, "The Rachel Maddow Show," MSNBC, 10/6). Craig Varoga, president of the Patriot Majority PAC, joined Maddow to discuss an ad his group developed to draw attention to GOP Senate candidate Sharron Angle's position that abortion should not be available to rape victims (Maddow, "The Rachel Maddow Show," MSNBC 10/1). Meanwhile, NARAL Pro-Choice New York launched an ad highlighting New York gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino's opposition to abortion rights in all cases (NARAL Pro-Choice New York, 9/28).


STI Experiment Prompts U.S. Apology: Chris Matthews of "Hardball" spoke with NBC News Chief Health Correspondent Robert Bazell about revelations that the U.S. conducted experiments in the 1940s that involved infecting hundreds of Guatemalans with gonorrhea and syphilis without their permission or knowledge. An unpublished study on the experiment was recently discovered by Wellesley College researcher Susan Reverby (Matthews, "Hardball," MSNBC, 10/1). "Countdown" host Keith Olbermann also discussed the experiment, which prompted apologies from U.S. officials this week (Olbermann, "Countdown," MSNBC, 10/1).


Peruvian Girl Denied Abortion Access: The video tells how doctors in Peru refused to perform surgery on a 13-year-old girl who became pregnant through rape because they feared it would end her pregnancy, even though therapeutic abortion is legal in the country. The Center for Reproductive Rights is pursuing a case with the Peruvian government to obtain reparations for the girl - who is now paralyzed in her legs -- and ensure that women's rights are protected in the future (Center for Reproductive Rights, 10/6).


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