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It Affects You
There are several vaccines in various stages of development which could prevent many sexually transmitted diseases from spreading. Now, I know enough about pharmaceutical company hype to recognize these vaccines might not pan out exactly as advertised, but nonetheless there's absolutely no logical reason to oppose their continued development.
Enter the illogical.
Not surprisingly, many conservative groups oppose these vaccines because for them, creating such vaccines is tantamount to giving a green light to sexual activity, and sex is dirty, dirty, dirty.
A wave of experimental vaccines against sexually transmitted diseases could revolutionize the prevention of such infections during the next few years, but there's a catch: The shots likely will work best when given to children as young as 11.
The first such vaccine to prevent human papillomavirus - the leading cause of cervical cancer - could be submitted for approval to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration by year's end. Another vaccine against genital herpes is in advanced clinical trials, and shots for gonorrhea and chlamydia are in the works.
Already the injections have drawn moral opposition from some conservative groups, who fear such immunizations could give young teens a green light to have sex.
The general argument is that abstinence only programs are the only effective way to reduce the spread of disease and limit unwanted pregnancies. Teaching teens anything about sexual health other than "don't do it" amounts to tacit approval of sexual activity, and it undercuts everything they are taught about abstinence. The problem, of course, is that not all teens will choose abstinence (ya think?) and the ones who don't are left grossly unprepared for the risks. They are far greater risk for STDs, unwanted pregnancies, and even cancer.
Well, for most that is the problem. For many Conservatives, it's a just and fair punishment for bad behavior. That's what this really comes down to, isn't it? If you're good (wait until marriage for sexual activity) you will be rewarded with good health and a happy family. If you're bad (premarital sex) you will be punished with disease and unwanted pregnancies. Such vaccines would eliminate part of the punishment, and thus reward bad behvior.
It's all about preserving the punishment.
From It Affects You