Popline Bans 'Abortion' as a Search Term

The following is a link to an article recently posted in the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/05/us/05popline.html?_r=2&ref=health&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

In summation, Johns Hopkins University programmed its database, Popline, to ignore the word 'abortion' in searches after federal officials "raised questions" on two articles in the database. The dean of the Public Health School lifted these restrictions. The ban was set after two articles about abortion advocacy were found. According to a school spokesman, the articles "did not face database criteria", and were removed. The dean demanded the ban be lifted, as the purpose of the database is to provide information, not restrict it. Popline is the world's largest database on reproductive health; therefore, according to protesters, restricting searches on an important topic in this field is absurd. Many pro-abortion advocates argue that the Bush administration "politicized science", imposing its conservative views on the federally-funded medical database. Supporters of the act claim that information about unwanted pregnancy can be found using other search terms. Those opposed argue that "abortion" is a perfectly good word, and is not completely synonymous with terms like "unwanted pregnancy" and "fertility control". Not surprisingly, the ban was largely protested.


This is a disappointment. It is the institution's responsibility to provide the most accurate and unbiased information possible to the public so readers who turn to the database for answers can make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Ignoring the word "abortion" is a highly unethical and potentially dangerous practice. Whether or not one agrees with the act of abortion should not determine whether or not the information on the topic is available.