Candidate’s View on Rape Stirs Furor

An eye surgeon running to succeed Sen. Dale Bumpers (D-Ark.) said it is rare for women to get pregnant from rape because of physiological changes during the attacks that can block conception. An adrenaline rush triggered by fear causes hormonal changes that block a woman’s ability to conceive during a violent attack, Republican Fay Boozman said. He said he would support an abortion ban that makes exceptions for rape and incest because such pregnancies rarely occur. “I find it amazing . . . and inexcusable,” said Democratic opponent Blanche Lincoln, a former congresswoman who left Washington in 1996 to raise twins.