Scientists have developed a vaccine to protect women from HPV (Human Papillomavirus) which is a leading cause of cervical cancer in women.
Nearly half a million cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year worldwide, and the disease accounts for about 230,000 deaths annually. Researchers say that if all eligible women got the vaccine, it would reduce the worldwide incidence of cervical cancer by nearly 70%.
"This is an incredible advance for women's health, and it will change the way in which women's preventive health and gynecologic exams will be planned and scheduled for the future," says researcher Diane Harper, MD, MPH, director of the gynecologic cancer prevention research group at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, in Lebanon, N.H.
No one would oppose this, right? Wrong! Enter the Family Research Council.
Why? <MORE BELOW>
In the US, for instance, religious groups are gearing up to oppose vaccination, despite a survey showing 80 per cent of parents favour vaccinating their daughters. "Abstinence is the best way to prevent HPV," says Bridget Maher of the Family Research Council, a leading Christian lobby group that has made much of the fact that, because it can spread by skin contact, condoms are not as effective against HPV as they are against other viruses such as HIV.
"Giving the HPV vaccine to young women could be potentially harmful, because they may see it as a licence to engage in premarital sex," Maher claims, though it is arguable how many young women have even heard of the virus.
What the hell is wrong with these people. Just because a disease is sexually transmitted it is morally wrong to vaccinate people for it? Out-fucking-rageous! Bastards! I hope all their lemmings get cervical cancer.