|
|
5/7/2004
No Plan B...For Now
It has been in the media for quite some time, but yesterday, the Food and Drug Administration rejected over-the-counter sales of the "morning-after pill", the latest emergency contraceptive also known as "Plan B". Interestingly enough, the FDA added the two words, "possibly reconsider" into their statement. The FDA rejected the proposal merely on the grounds that there was "no evidence teens younger than 16 could safely use the pills without a doctor's guidance - and it thus was rejecting the move until Barr (the company behind the pill) could provide that evidence." Though they were charged with not having done enough research, the company is planning on coming back stronger next time. The FDA left the door open for Barr Laboratories to try again, which means this case is not closed in the least. This is about money and let's not think for one moment that Barr is going away with their tail between their legs.
From its inception, I knew the "morning-after pill" would spell trouble. It was only a matter of time before they'd lobby for it to be easily placed in the hands of the average Joe-sette. The market for making Plan B over-the-counter is undoubtedly the teenage population. The average adult would have no problem getting a prescription from their gynecologist or a local clinic. The main group of people who would benefit (and I use that term loosely) from this proposal are teenage girls who want the pill but don't want their parents to know. I usually red flag anything that attempts to usurp the rights of parents. This whole concept just has "evil, greedy, bastards" written all over it. I don't say that to be flippant. When I say "bastards", I mean it. These individuals who think up these schemes to further advance the moral decay of our society are nothing more than illegitimate children. One of the major arguments of Plan B proponents is that it will "significantly reduce the number of abortions each year". Help us sweet Jesus! This is just disastrous. I cannot believe that sane people actually follow this logic. Let's all go back to kindergarten concepts for just a moment. Babies are made when a man and a woman have sex. That is the only way babies are made. Invetro fertilization, artificial insemination, and all other forms of impregnating women are generally procedures performed on women who assumedly want to become pregnant and are therefore void in this reasoning. Based on this logic, it would seem that the best way to reduce the numbers of abortions is to reduce the number of unmarried people having sex. A preschooler could figure this out. Teach young men to exercise a little self control. Teach young ladies to keep the nickel between their knees. If you want teenagers to stop having abortions, teach them to stop having sex. Teach them to choose Plan A. This concept is so overly simplistic and basic and it leaves lots of room for creativity so let's think beyond just "Abstinence Education". The Judeo-Christian ethics sure do lack innovation as of late. Since it seems humanity is intent on trying to come up with every way possible to not not have sex, can we think out of the box as well?
Perhaps even more "coincidental" is the fact that last night's episode of ER highlighted this very issue on the very same day the FDA rejected the proposal. Gee what are the chances? I smell hot conflict of interest cooking in the oven. On the show, one of the teenage characters named "Rachel" traveled to the state in which her former doctor/step-mother was located just to get a prescription for the pills. She did this because she didn't want her real mother to find out. And get this, the doctor wrote the prescription! It was a sly attempt to brainwash the viewer into thinking that legalizing the pill over-the-counter is really the right thing to do. I wouldn't be surprised if Barr Laboratories paid a hefty sum of money for that plug. Is it just me, or do pharmaceutical companies have a huge propensity to be horribly wicked? I wrote a few months back on how "Jimmie Hatz" are planning on pushing out "hip-hop" condoms to the urban masses. This is a downward spiral folks and I plead that we not see the day when the morning-after pill is being packaged with glossy pink and polka dot wrappers or being given as a "gift with purchase" when you buy the latest Christina Aguilera album. I don't want to see "Pro-Choice Barbie" or "do-it-yourself abortion kits" in the store. Planned Parenthood must be licking their lips over this issue.
So what does the counter-culture do? I certainly propose we do something different than what's currently being done. People like to sit on their high horses and talk about Christians shouldn't be bringing the gospel through media and other forms of mass-commercialism, but I say we need to get in the game. Sit on the sidelines of the culture war if you like, but this is a multi-sensory generation, and if we're not infiltrating mediums with a contrary message, then we will do ourselves a huge disservice in battle. If ER can push their message, we sure as heck can push ours.
posted by ambra at 5/7/2004 01:55:37 PM | link to this entry |
|
|
|
|
|
