I got this off the FOX News site. At first glance, it looks like good news. A leading killer of women in the third world is extremely preventable - we could probably halve the death rate tomorrow, if we wanted.
"A vaccine targeting the sexually-transmitted virus that can cause cervical cancer was still protecting women who got it after more than four years, researchers reported Wednesday.
"The findings represent the longest follow-up yet of an experimental human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which has the potential to dramatically lower deaths from cervical cancer.
"[...]Sadly, we live in a time when the news is never entirely good. Some idiot always comes along and 'fixes' the fix - and then you're lucky if you're only as bad off as you were before. Matters of life and death are no exception.
"The study included 800 women who were vaccinated with either three doses of Cervarix or a placebo.
"In November 2004, researchers reported that the vaccine was 100 percent effective in preventing persistent infection with the two HPV strains that cause about 70 percent of cervical cancers -- HPV-16 and HPV-18."
"Stay tuned for June," American Cancer Society Director of Breast and Gynecological Cancer Debbie Saslow, PhD, tells WebMD. There are a lot of groups interested in having a voice in how this vaccine is used."
"Some conservative groups have been vocally opposed to the vaccine, arguing that it could undermine efforts to discourage sex among teens.
"Saslow says other conservative groups have expressed support for the vaccine, although they don't want it to be among the immunizations that schools require."
That's right, it's better to freakin' die then to run the risk of promoting pre-marital sex. Now, get your head around this; what they're afraid of is that a vaccine to prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) might screw up an abstinence program design to - don't forget to breath - prevent STDs!
Of course, that's not the reason at all, that's the excuse. What they really want to do is to force women to abide by their Jesus-happy lifestyle, regardless of the women's beliefs or culture. They don't give a shit about STDs or the women they pretend to serve. If they can't force them to become good little brainwashed robots like themselves, they can force them to live like one. Here are a couple of quotes (courtesy of Advocates for Youth, emphasis mine), just on the off-chance that you're not angry enough already.
"Our concern is that this vaccine will be marketed to a segment of the population that should be getting a message about abstinence," said Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council. He would not inoculate his own daughter, because she would be more inclined to have sex outside marriage. "It sends the wrong message." Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council
"I personally object to vaccinating children against a disease that is 100 percent preventable with proper sexual behavior." Leslie Unruh, Executive Director of the National Abstinence Clearinghouse
These idiots aren't christians, they're just control freaks. No christian would ask themselves, "What would Jesus do?" and come up with the answer "Let the Harlots Die..."
--Wisco
(Keywords: politics, religious right, third world, womens rights, family planning, pro-choice )
