Abortion pill debate: History and analysis

VIDEO The new pill won't change the debate, according to CNN's Bruce Morton Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN's Garrick Utley says women's pills have changed, but women's issues haven't Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)

(CNN) -- The U.S. government decision to approve the abortion pill intensifies a vigorous debate that has raged for generations -- long before the development of mifepristone, the drug more widely known as RU-486.

Contraception in the United States has a contentious history intertwined with medical, political and moral decisions.

This latest chapter serves to remind us how we got to this point -- and begs the question: What happens next?

View our interactive timeline about the abortion pill

Gore, Bush weigh in on abortion pill debate
September 29, 2000
Food and Drug Administration approves 'abortion pill'
September 28, 2000
Security concerns for U.S. abortion pill company
September 28, 2000

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Planned Parenthood
The RU-46 Files
National Right to Life Organization

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