Although the Pill and other contraceptives are readily available, many women still have unwanted pregnancies because they neglector have no opportunityto take precautions before intercourse. Now, the Federal Government is acting to provide help in the form of the chemical diethylstilbestrol (DES). Last week the Food and Drug Administration announced that it was in the process of clearing DBS for use as a postcoital contraceptive in certain emergency situations.
The FDA'S action is not unexpected. DES, an estrogen-like substance, has been used for years to prevent pregnancy in women who take it as long as 72 hours after intercourse; it has proved...