Abortion Business Tests Condoms After Watchdog Group Cites Failures

National   |   Steven Ertelt   |   Jan 10, 2005   |   9:00AM   |   WASHINGTON, DC

Abortion Business Tests Condoms After Watchdog Group Cites Failures Email this article
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by Maria Vitale Gallagher
LifeNews.com Staff Writer
January 10, 2005

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — Planned Parenthood is responding to criticism sparked by a study from a consumer watchdog group which shows its condoms are defective.

Planned Parenthood president Gloria Feldt has issued a statement in which she thanks Consumer Reports for the study — even though the magazine’s report rated Planned Parenthood condoms as substandard. The condoms rated the worst of 23 varieties tested.

"As soon as we became aware of Consumer Reports’ concerns about two other styles of our condoms, we immediately commissioned rigorous, comprehensive retesting at a world-renowned, independent testing facility," Feldt said.

Feldt claims the results of the new tests were "excellent" and promised to "continue to conduct rigorous testing and monitoring to ensure that all of our condoms remain top-quality products."

Planned Parenthood’s Honeydew condom garnered a "poor" rating for reliability and strength in the Consumer Reports test. A second brand offered by Planned Parenthood received a "poor rating" for strength and an "excellent" rating for reliability. A third kind, the Lollipop, received a "very good" rating for strength and an "excellent" rating for reliability.

Feldt says Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion operation, will soon be offering its Honeydew condoms in a new package and color as a result of feedback from its clients.

Feldt appears to own up to the poor test results by encouraging dissatisfied Planned Parenthood customers to exchange their condoms for new ones.

"Those who would feel more comfortable exchanging a Planned Parenthood Honeydew or colored condom for another Planned Parenthood style condom are welcome to do so at their local Planned Parenthood center," Feldt said.

Feldt claims that Planned Parenthood is the nation’s “most trusted voluntary reproductive health organization." But, the results of the Consumer Reports condom tests indicate Planned Parenthood’s products are not reliable.

Meanwhile, it appears that Feldt is hoping to lobby Consumer Reports to take a second look at Planned Parenthood condoms.

"We thank Consumer Reports for its commitment to high-quality condoms and other methods of birth control. We share that commitment and will be working with Consumer Reports to discuss our independent results," Feldt said.

Planned Parenthood operates nearly 850 centers nationwide. It distributes between seven and ten million condoms a year and performs more abortions than any other business.

The controversy has led some to speculate that Planned Parenthood’s faulty condoms are likely to increase the abortion rate at Planned Parenthood centers.

Planned Parenthood’s annual report does show an increase in abortions at its facilities. The number of surgical abortions at Planned Parenthood grew 6.1 percent, according to STOPP International, a group that monitors Planned Parenthood.

"Increases in abortions, more money from taxpayers’ pockets, and bigger profit margins — all while clinics are closing down and donations are dwindling. That is the state of Planned Parenthood," said STOPP International Executive Director Jim Sedlak.