# Can a Dr. refuse to prescribe emergency contraception?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-dr-refuse-to-prescribe-emergency-contraception/2239>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 27, 1999, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-dr-refuse-to-prescribe-emergency-contraception/2239 "1999-07-27T20:43:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 1999, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-dr-refuse-to-prescribe-emergency-contraception/2239/21 "1999-07-31T14:36:00Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> Your premise that pregnancy begins at implantation is belief, not fact. In my earlier post, I clearly stated that my premise that  
> pregnancy begins with egg & sperm uniting was a religious teaching, implying that anyone with different beliefs is free to reject  
> it (but not to assert that their belief is fact).
> 
> ```
> During the "72 hour window", the fertilized egg has all the genetic material needed to develop into a baby. -- MajorMD
> 
> ```

## I was under the impression that the 72 hour window was the period between ejaculation and fertilization. If so, the egg ain’t fertilized during this period. I just read another newspaper article on the subject yesterday (don’t have it with me, unfortunately), which, if accurate, validates this impression.

Designated Optional Signature at Bottom of Post

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 31, 1999, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-a-dr-refuse-to-prescribe-emergency-contraception/2239/22 "1999-07-31T14:37:00Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> Your premise that pregnancy begins at implantation is belief, not fact. In my earlier post, I clearly stated that my premise that  
> pregnancy begins with egg & sperm uniting was a religious teaching, implying that anyone with different beliefs is free to reject  
> it (but not to assert that their belief is fact).
> 
> ```
> During the "72 hour window", the fertilized egg has all the genetic material needed to develop into a baby. -- MajorMD
> 
> ```

## I was under the impression that the 72 hour window was the period between ejaculation and fertilization. If so, the egg ain’t fertilized during this period. I just read another newspaper article on the subject yesterday (don’t have it with me, unfortunately), which, if accurate, validates this impression.

Designated Optional Signature at Bottom of Post

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