We did a story on this last year. Now things are coming to a head.
Cervical cancer vaccine approved / Sexually transmitted disease treatment raises ethics debate
A federal advisory committee is expected to decide by the end of the month whether the first-ever vaccine to prevent most cases of cervical cancer, approved by the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday, should be given to all girls before they have sex and are potentially exposed to the virus that causes the cancer.
A recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices would not make the vaccine, Gardasil, mandatory — it is up to states to determine whether a vaccine should be required for school attendance. In California, making the vaccine mandatory would require new legislation.
But physicians note that parents may be troubled by giving their young daughters a vaccine for a sexually transmitted disease, and several conservative groups, while supporting the vaccine, said they would challenge efforts to make immunization mandatory.
“It’s naive to think that girls are not going to get into a situation where they might have sex before whatever age you want them to be,” Tori said. “You may want to preach a particular family value, but whether or not that actually occurs is beyond your power. If you can protect your child from getting a life-threatening illness, absolutely, sign them up right now.”
After reading your article I thought of giving a comment about Cervical Cancer and to share it with other readers. Cervical cancer affects the cervix region, which lies in the lower and slender part of the uterus. Cervical cancer is most common form cancer in the women folk which comes next to breast cancer. Cervical cancer often occurs with vaginal bleeding.
I cannot believe how the religious right argument can be morally justified. Am i right in thinking they approve of a life threatening disease being a detterent for young girls having sex, that [although false] the argument stands that cervical cancer is a suitable retribution for having sex early. I am a 21 year old woman who is awaiting results from my first pap smear and recently found HPV positive and have been suspectedly for up to 1 to 3 years, my lack of education due to religious schooling may of cost me my life. I am furious at moral evangelists who insist on making women believe their sexuality to be evil and to be feared and ashamed. I have not had many sexual partners, I did not know about HPV until 2 years ago and i didn’t know the symptomotolgy until 4 weeks ago. I am an agnostic, but i cannot believe what people are willing to risk for the alleged honor of their family. Cervical cancer when undetected is a DEATH sentence, it is a painful, invasive, horrid disease – not reserved for the promiscuous, the non-christian. Men and Women are affected by HPV – men can receive the HPV virus why are we not hearing the debate about ethical issues about young men receiving the vaccine. Quite frankly – keep these arguments for your cocktail nights and bible discussions and don’t you dare risk any girl or women’s life!
Learn some science – drug companies or not, you live in a world of gloabalised business. I refuse to believe that people are opposed to the vaccine due to anti -capitalism. On the same principal have you never bought any drug? I am a science student at the university in Australia where the vaccine was developed. If you personally refuse this vaccine fine – I agree with Nadia, you have no right to refuse it for your children.