home

Science v. Politics

By TChris, Section Other Politics
Posted on Wed Mar 01, 2006 at 10:40:47 AM EST
Tags: (all tags)
Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit

by TChris

Susan Wood, a former assistant commissioner of the FDA, explains why conservative opposition to over-the-counter sales of emergency ("Plan B") contraception to adult women is irrational. Her broader point: "our federal health agencies seem increasingly unable to operate independently and ... this lack of independence compromises their mission of promoting public health and welfare."

< NYC Agrees to Reform Jail Practices to End Abuse | Ex-Dominos Pizza Chief Seeks to Build No Abortion Town >

  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


    • Display: Sort:
    Science v. Politics | 6 comments (6 topical)
    Re: Science v. Politics (none / 0) (#1)
    by desertswine on Wed Mar 01, 2006 at 10:57:59 AM EST
    When did adult access to contraception become controversial?
    When the inmates took over this asylum.

    Re: Science v. Politics (none / 0) (#2)
    by Punchy on Wed Mar 01, 2006 at 12:03:41 PM EST
    We will never, ever see Plan-B OTC while a Republican Congress exists. Never.

    Re: Science v. Politics (none / 0) (#3)
    by Joe Bob on Wed Mar 01, 2006 at 12:28:23 PM EST
    Since when did rational arguments hold any sway with the fundamentalists anyway?

    Re: Science v. Politics (none / 0) (#4)
    by Andreas on Wed Mar 01, 2006 at 12:52:05 PM EST
    The Food and Drug Administration's director of the Office of Women's Health, Susan B. Wood, resigned over repeated delays in the approval of the morning-after contraceptive pill known as Plan B, contrary to the recommendations of the FDA's scientists. In a recent interview in the Seattle Times, Wood said she was convinced the decision came from some higher level of the government and that the FDA's own experts' "advice" and "knowledge of what was going on was pushed aside. That should worry people."
    Bush appointees censor scientists at government agencies By Sandy English, 15 February 2006 Bush administration plays to religious right in delaying contraceptive approval By Naomi Spencer, 26 November 2005

    Re: Science v. Politics (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Mar 01, 2006 at 02:31:07 PM EST
    From the FDA's Questions and Answers on Plan B
    3. How does Plan B work?
    Plan B works like other birth control pills to prevent pregnancy. Plan B acts primarily by stopping the release of an egg from the ovary (ovulation). It may prevent the union of sperm and egg (fertilization). If fertilization does occur, Plan B may prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the womb (implantation). If a fertilized egg is implanted prior to taking Plan B, Plan B will not work.
    I think it's the
    If fertilization does occur, Plan B may prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the womb (implantation).
    that causes the big objection. I thought that the daily birth control pill just stopped ovulation. If they can also block implantation how do certain pharmacists justify filling those prescriptions but not certain other prescriptions?

    Re: Science v. Politics (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Mar 01, 2006 at 04:48:04 PM EST
    If they can also block implantation how do certain pharmacists justify filling those prescriptions but not certain other prescriptions?
    Because they're morons who listen to an imaginary being in the sky instead of their own sense of reason? I assume they all think Plan B is RU487. The drug in Plan B is the same one found in The Pill. The reason why it doesn't prevent implantation when taken as daily birth control method is that there is no egg to fertilize if they are working properly.

    Science v. Politics | 6 comments (6 topical)