Trump Card: Science or Dogma?

Washington, DC - October 31, 2005

Brewing controversy over the recent development of a breakthrough cervical cancer vaccine highlights the far right’s continuous disregard for sound science, both in and outside of the White House. Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council told Fortune magazine that – because HPV, which can cause cervical cancer, is transmitted sexually – he would not allow his 13-year-old daughter to receive the HPV vaccine, fearing it would convey the “false” message that sexual intercourse outside of marriage is acceptable. In a world where cervical cancer kills 270,000 women annually – 80% of them in developing countries – dogmatic allegations in the face of sound public health science only serve to further politicize and jeopardize the health of millions of women around the globe.

Domestic examples of this trend abound. FDA officials Susan Wood and Frank Davidoff resigned in protest as the FDA delayed its decision on Plan B – also known as emergency contraception – despite strong scientific approval of the drug from within the agency. Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) advocates for changing condom labels to caution users that they do not provide 100% protection against some STDs, despite concern that such labeling would deter condom use. The National Cancer Institute published – and then withdrew – a “fact” sheet linking abortion to breast cancer based on questionable research. And due to outside political pressure, the CDC revised their information on condoms and HIV by emphasizing condom failure rates and omitting instruction on condom use.

Internationally, this disregard for sound science undermines effective U.S. family planning and reproductive health policies. At a 2002 U.N.-sponsored conference, the U.S. delegation attempted to delete endorsement of “consistent condom use” for HIV prevention – among other reservations – on the grounds that recommending condom use would promote underage sex.

Basing public health decisions on ideology is harmful to scientific integrity and dangerous for the people it aims to protect. The United States must start using science as its trump card if it is serious about improving the lives of women and families around the globe. Brewing controversy over the recent development of a breakthrough cervical cancer vaccine highlights the far right’s continuous disregard for sound science, both in and outside of the White House. Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council told Fortune magazine that – because HPV, which can cause cervical cancer, is transmitted sexually – he would not allow his 13-year-old daughter to receive the HPV vaccine, fearing it would convey the “false” message that sexual intercourse outside of marriage is acceptable. In a world where cervical cancer kills 270,000 women annually – 80% of them in developing countries – dogmatic allegations in the face of sound public health science only serve to further politicize and jeopardize the health of millions of women around the globe.

Population Action International (PAI) works to improve individual well-being and preserve global resources by mobilizing political and financial support for population, family planning and reproductive health policies and programs.