The approval of the so-called "morning after pill" by the Food and Drug Administration yesterday brought mixed reactions from the University community.
"Students are in a younger age group and more likely don't plan ahead," Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical Assistant Prof. Margaret Punch said. "It is important that they know it is an option for them. I hope it has a positive effect in preventing unwanted pregnancies."
The pill will be available through doctors and family planning clinics.
"It affects the lining of the uterus, it makes it difficult for a pregnancy to implant if one were to occur," Punch said.
Some students said they see the pill as a way to avoid having unwanted children.
"Yes, I would use it," LSA junior Lauren Pascoe said. "I would say it's an option ... I would rather use the morning after pill than have a child when I'm not ready for one."
Several male students said they would advocate the pill for different reasons.
"I would rather have somebody use it than have a child, but sometimes it could be used as a contraceptive when it's not supposed to be used as one," said School of Education junior John Roberts.
First-year student Maija Cirulis said the effect of drugs like the "morning after" pill will affect the possibility of ever outlawing abortion.
"I think it will be harder to make abortion illegal now with these drugs on the market," Cirulis said. "I think that it's just another form of abortion. I think women have a choice - and that's whether to have sex or not."
Other anti-abortion students also said they disagree with the use of the pill as a form of abortion.
"I would never, ever use it," said Angela Bailey, a Kinesiology sophomore. "I am pro-life and because of my religion I believe that two hours after conception or two months after conception it is a child. People need to take responsibility for having unprotected sex."
The amount of media attention given to the "morning after" pill will make women more aware of contraceptive options, said Ilona Cohen, president of the University chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.
"Pro-choice advocates still insist that birth control or abortion are always a women's choice and a private matter no matter what," Cohen said. "I think (the FDA's decision) is beneficial to all women in general. They will be able to be smarter and use more effective means of birth control."
- Daily Staff Reporter Heather Kamins contributed to this report.