GravityGirl 0 #1 November 17, 2004 President Bush has announced his plan to select Dr. W. David Hager to head up the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee. The committee has not met for more than two years, during which time its charter lapsed. As a result, the Bush Administration is tasked with filling all eleven positions with new members. This position does not require Congressional approval. The FDA's Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee makes crucial decisions on matters relating to drugs used in the practice of obstetrics, gynecology and related specialties, including hormone therapy, contraception, treatment for infertility, and medical alternatives to surgical procedures for sterilization and pregnancy termination. Dr. Hager is the author of "As Jesus Cared for Women: Restoring Women Then and Now." The book blends biblical accounts of Christ healing women with case studies from Hager's practice. His views of reproductive health care are far outside the mainstream for reproductive technology. Dr. Hager is a practicing OB/GYN who describes himself as "pro-life" and refuses to prescribe contraceptives to unmarried women. In the book Dr. Hager wrote with his wife, entitled "Stress and the Woman's Body," he suggests that women who suffer from premenstrual syndrome should seek help from reading the bible and praying. As an editor and contributing author of "The Reproduction Revolution: A Christian Appraisal of Sexuality Reproductive Technologies and the Family," Dr. Hager appears to have endorsed the medically inaccurate assertion that the common birth control pill is an abortifacient. We are concerned that Dr. Hager's strong religious beliefs may color his assessment of technologies that are necessary to protect women's lives or to preserve and promote women's health. Hager's track record of using religious beliefs to guide his medical decision-making makes him a dangerous and inappropriate candidate to serve as chair of this committee. Critical drug public policy and research must not be held hostage by antiabortion politics. Members of this important panel should be appointed on the basis of science and medicine, rather than politics and religion. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanuckInUSA 0 #2 November 17, 2004 QuoteMembers of this important panel should be appointed on the basis of science and medicine, rather than politics and religion. You know that's not going to happen. Try not to worry about the things you have no control over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #3 November 17, 2004 ah... and so the 'fundamentalist' regime begins to consolidate power in the places not so visible to the public eye....____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GravityGirl 0 #4 November 17, 2004 You can always send an e-mail to: president@whitehouse.gov Let him know that you oppose this appointment. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Peace and Blue Skies! Bonnie ==>Gravity Gear! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #5 November 17, 2004 Ironic that the WSJ published an article today about how the rate of teen pregnancy is the lowest in 60 years, and in conjunction with that teen abortions are 30% lower than in 1991....attributed to sex education and the availability of contraception. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,151 #6 November 17, 2004 What else did you expect?... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #7 November 17, 2004 This happened a couple of years ago (customary Snopes reference). But the upside is that the furor in part probably made it so that he wasn't the chairman. Having dissenting views on the committee is OK (although this is pretty seriously dissenting). Having one that far out as chairman would be a lot more disturbing. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
unformed 0 #8 November 17, 2004 QuoteYou can always send an e-mail to: president@whitehouse.gov Let him know that you oppose this appointment. I'm sure he cares. Actually, to make a real statement,, send it by snail mail. I doubt anyone even reads that address.This ad space for sale. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
