Two Planned Parenthood Condoms Judged Substandard by CR

[Riprorin]

Abortion Business Tests Condoms After Watchdog Group Cites Failures Email this article

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.

Abortion Business Tests Condoms After Watchdog Group Cites Failures

Out of the 24 condoms that were rated, Planned Parenthood "assorted colors" ranked 23, the "Honeydew" rated 24, and the "Lollipop" rated 14.

 

[Riprorin]

Full Ratings Guide

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Riprorin
Topic Title: Two Planned Parenthood Condoms Judged Substandard by CR

Based on your posts, you should be thrilled that there will be more unwanted kids because of the substandard condoms.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Thanks for the report - people should have information about stuff like this.

I'm looking through the report and not having much luck finding the raw performance data. It certainly looks as if there are differences between some brands of condoms, though most appear to score quite well. Obviously it would make the most sense to choose the most reliable ones.

There's a note on the first page of the report mentioning that since 2002 almost all relevent information about condom use has been removed from www.cdc.gov. That's pretty disappointing; I wonder if it is related to the agenda of the people in power. I hope not, but I can't think of another explanation.

I also noted that 'periodic abstinence' seems to be about the least effective method of them all. Funny thing that.

 

[Riprorin]

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.

Don't you find it disturbing that an organization that derives its profits from performing abortions is distibuting substandard condoms?

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Riprorin

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.

Don't you find it disturbing that an organization that derives its profits from performing abortions is distibuting substandard condoms?

Let me guess, you think they are purposely poking holes in them, right???

 

[Geekbabe]

Originally posted by: Riprorin

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.

Don't you find it disturbing that an organization that derives its profits from performing abortions is distibuting substandard condoms?

Truthfully I find your interests in other people's sex lives even more disturbing.


I would imagine that many of those condoms are given away for free in many different locations populated with people who might not otherwise use any protection at all. It also sounds like PP is being responsive to the Consumer Reports findings and is working with them.

 

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: Riprorin

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.

Don't you find it disturbing that an organization that derives its profits from performing abortions is distibuting substandard condoms?

IS planned parenthood a for-profit business or a non-profit organisation?

 

[Riprorin]

Originally posted by: Geekbabe

Originally posted by: Riprorin

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.

Don't you find it disturbing that an organization that derives its profits from performing abortions is distibuting substandard condoms?

Truthfully I find your interests in other people's sex lives even more disturbing.

Getting back to the topic, it doesn't bother you that Planned Parenthood, which distributes 7 to 10 million condoms a year, is handing out condoms which Consumer Report rates "poor"?

 

[Geekbabe]

Originally posted by: Riprorin

Originally posted by: Geekbabe

Originally posted by: Riprorin

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.

Don't you find it disturbing that an organization that derives its profits from performing abortions is distibuting substandard condoms?

Truthfully I find your interests in other people's sex lives even more disturbing.

Getting back to the topic, it doesn't bother you that Planned Parenthood, which distributes 7 to 10 million condoms a year, is handing out condoms which Consumer Report rates "poor"?

No, what I find sad is your ignoring that PP is being responsive to the Consumer Reports findings and welcomes them.

Also, PP gives away condoms,obviously one would want high quality latex, but given the option of not using one at all any condom is better than none.

 

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: Riprorin

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.

Don't you find it disturbing that an organization that derives its profits from performing abortions is distibuting substandard condoms?

It is dissapointing that there is a problem with 2 of the condom varieties they distribute. On the other hand, they do seem to have taken the criticism on board and are apparently making the needed improvements.

 

[Geekbabe]

Originally posted by: aidanjm

Originally posted by: Riprorin

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.

Don't you find it disturbing that an organization that derives its profits from performing abortions is distibuting substandard condoms?

It is dissapointing that there is a problem with 2 of the condom varieties they distribute. On the other hand, they do seem to have taken the criticism on board and are apparently making the needed improvements.

Something that Rip ignores.

 

[Riprorin]

Originally posted by: Geekbabe

Originally posted by: aidanjm

Originally posted by: Riprorin

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.

Don't you find it disturbing that an organization that derives its profits from performing abortions is distibuting substandard condoms?

It is dissapointing that there is a problem with 2 of the condom varieties they distribute. On the other hand, they do seem to have taken the criticism on board and are apparently making the needed improvements.

Something that Rip ignores.

2 out of the 3 condoms that Planned Parenthood distributed were rated "poor" (worst of the condoms they tested) by an independent testing organization.

And you merely find that "disappointing" especially given the fact that Planned Parenthood runs abortion clinics and benefits from performing abortions?

 

[SuperTool]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.c...2141063_condoms05.html

That doesn't necessarily mean you should expect condoms from Planned Parenthood to result in unplanned parenthoods. All three of the group's branded condoms meet minimum safety standards, Consumer Reports said. It's just that two scored lowest among 23 types in air-inflation tests that measured strength and reliability.

So they are not substandard. They are just relatively worse than other brands, which is to be expected from a free product.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
http://seattletimes.nwsource.c...2141063_condoms05.html

That doesn't necessarily mean you should expect condoms from Planned Parenthood to result in unplanned parenthoods. All three of the group's branded condoms meet minimum safety standards, Consumer Reports said. It's just that two scored lowest among 23 types in air-inflation tests that measured strength and reliability.

So they are not substandard. They are just relatively worse than other brands, which is to be expected from a free product.

Seems like a product that should not be sub standard...

 

[Riprorin]

Originally posted by: SuperTool
http://seattletimes.nwsource.c...2141063_condoms05.html

That doesn't necessarily mean you should expect condoms from Planned Parenthood to result in unplanned parenthoods. All three of the group's branded condoms meet minimum safety standards, Consumer Reports said. It's just that two scored lowest among 23 types in air-inflation tests that measured strength and reliability.

So they are not substandard. They are just relatively worse than other brands, which is to be expected from a free product.

Wrong.

From the Consumer Reports article:

Guide to the Ratings

Ratings are based on condom strength and predicted performance in actual use as assessed by tests using an air-inflation machine.

 

[Spencer278]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SuperTool
http://seattletimes.nwsource.c...2141063_condoms05.html

That doesn't necessarily mean you should expect condoms from Planned Parenthood to result in unplanned parenthoods. All three of the group's branded condoms meet minimum safety standards, Consumer Reports said. It's just that two scored lowest among 23 types in air-inflation tests that measured strength and reliability.

So they are not substandard. They are just relatively worse than other brands, which is to be expected from a free product.

Seems like a product that should not be sub standard...

They meet the goverment mandated standards by defintion it can not be sub standard.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: Spencer278

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SuperTool
http://seattletimes.nwsource.c...2141063_condoms05.html

That doesn't necessarily mean you should expect condoms from Planned Parenthood to result in unplanned parenthoods. All three of the group's branded condoms meet minimum safety standards, Consumer Reports said. It's just that two scored lowest among 23 types in air-inflation tests that measured strength and reliability.

So they are not substandard. They are just relatively worse than other brands, which is to be expected from a free product.

Seems like a product that should not be sub standard...

They meet the goverment mandated standards by defintion it can not be sub standard.

So if they are not sub standard, why are they fixing something that is not a problem?

 

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: Riprorin

Originally posted by: Geekbabe

Originally posted by: aidanjm

Originally posted by: Riprorin

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.

Don't you find it disturbing that an organization that derives its profits from performing abortions is distibuting substandard condoms?

It is dissapointing that there is a problem with 2 of the condom varieties they distribute. On the other hand, they do seem to have taken the criticism on board and are apparently making the needed improvements.

Something that Rip ignores.

2 out of the 3 condoms that Planned Parenthood distributed were rated "poor" (worst of the condoms they tested) by an independent testing organization.

And you merely find that "disappointing" especially given the fact that Planned Parenthood runs abortion clinics and benefits from performing abortions?

What does that 'poor' rating mean in real terms?

 

[BarneyFife]

Originally posted by: Riprorin

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.

Don't you find it disturbing that an organization that derives its profits from performing abortions is distibuting substandard condoms?

They are non-profit Mr. Corporate Christian.

 

[SuperTool]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: Spencer278

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SuperTool
http://seattletimes.nwsource.c...2141063_condoms05.html

That doesn't necessarily mean you should expect condoms from Planned Parenthood to result in unplanned parenthoods. All three of the group's branded condoms meet minimum safety standards, Consumer Reports said. It's just that two scored lowest among 23 types in air-inflation tests that measured strength and reliability.

So they are not substandard. They are just relatively worse than other brands, which is to be expected from a free product.

Seems like a product that should not be sub standard...

They meet the goverment mandated standards by defintion it can not be sub standard.

So if they are not sub standard, why are they fixing something that is not a problem?

Because they want to provide a better product to their visitors.
Just because something is not substandard, doesn't mean it can't or shouldn't be improved. For example all cars meet US government standards, but they may score poor on insurance institute tests, and the carmakers will improve them as a result, even though they pass the government's test.

 

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SuperTool
http://seattletimes.nwsource.c...2141063_condoms05.html

That doesn't necessarily mean you should expect condoms from Planned Parenthood to result in unplanned parenthoods. All three of the group's branded condoms meet minimum safety standards, Consumer Reports said. It's just that two scored lowest among 23 types in air-inflation tests that measured strength and reliability.

So they are not substandard. They are just relatively worse than other brands, which is to be expected from a free product.

Seems like a product that should not be sub standard...

They meet minimum safety standards according to SuperTool's link, so by definiton they are not substandard.

 

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: Riprorin

Originally posted by: Geekbabe

Originally posted by: aidanjm

Originally posted by: Riprorin

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.

Don't you find it disturbing that an organization that derives its profits from performing abortions is distibuting substandard condoms?

It is dissapointing that there is a problem with 2 of the condom varieties they distribute. On the other hand, they do seem to have taken the criticism on board and are apparently making the needed improvements.

Something that Rip ignores.

2 out of the 3 condoms that Planned Parenthood distributed were rated "poor" (worst of the condoms they tested) by an independent testing organization.

And you merely find that "disappointing" especially given the fact that Planned Parenthood runs abortion clinics and benefits from performing abortions?

What do you mean, "benefits" from performing abortions? Are you suggesting that planned parenthood is a for-profit business or corporation? Who is receiving the profits?

 

[Riprorin]

US taxpayers add to Planned Parenthood profits

Washington, Dec. 16, 2004 (CWNews.com) - The Planned Parenthood Federation of America is receiving more money from taxpayers, generating larger profits, and performing more abortions-- even while the organization reports a drop in private donations. That was the analysis offered by Jim Sedlak for the American Life League.

Citing statistics from the Planned Parenthood Federation's 2003-2004 Annual Report, Sedlak observed that the organization had performed 244,628 abortions in the last year-- an increase of 6.1 percent from the previous year's total. Those abortions provided an estimated $104 million in revenues.

Sedlak also noted that Planned Parenthood performed 138 abortions for every 1 child who was referred for adoption. In 1997, the ratio was 18 abortions for every adoption.

Private donations declined by 17 percent, to $191 million, in the last year. Still the group's report showed a profit of over $35 million-- the 18th consecutive year of running in the black. The group's balance sheets were buoyed by a record $265.2 million in government funds, accounting for nearly one-third of the group's entire budget.

"This report shows the public is increasingly rejecting Planned Parenthood's radical agenda, but apparently our elected officials haven't gotten the message," said Sedlak.

Jim Sedlak heads STOPP International, a group that has monitored Planned Parenthood's activities for 20 years.

US taxpayers add to Planned Parenthood profits

 

[aidanjm]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: Spencer278

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: SuperTool
http://seattletimes.nwsource.c...2141063_condoms05.html

That doesn't necessarily mean you should expect condoms from Planned Parenthood to result in unplanned parenthoods. All three of the group's branded condoms meet minimum safety standards, Consumer Reports said. It's just that two scored lowest among 23 types in air-inflation tests that measured strength and reliability.

So they are not substandard. They are just relatively worse than other brands, which is to be expected from a free product.

Seems like a product that should not be sub standard...

They meet the goverment mandated standards by defintion it can not be sub standard.

So if they are not sub standard, why are they fixing something that is not a problem?

By definition, they are not sub-standard. I.E., they do not fall below the minimum standard specified by the government. If they did fall below that standard, they WOULD be substandard. But they don't. So BY DEFINITION they are NOT substandard. Get it?

If you read the comments of the spokeswoman carefully, you'll note she doesn't acknowlege that the condoms are substandard, but says: "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." So really this is about ensuring client confidence in the planned parenhood condoms.