Family Research Council opposes vaccine that could stop spread of HPV.A spokeswoman for the Family Research Council (FRC FRC abbr. functional residual capacity FRC see functional residual capacity. ) says young women should have to deal with the consequences of a rapidly spreading sexually transmitted disease sexually transmitted disease (STD) or venereal disease, term for infections acquired mainly through sexual contact. Five diseases were traditionally known as venereal diseases: gonorrhea, syphilis, and the less common granuloma inguinale, rather then rely on a new vaccine. The FRC's Bridget Maher said her group believes over-reliance on the vaccine for the human papilloma virus human papilloma virus n. Abbr. HPV A DNA virus of the genus Papillomavirus, certain types of which cause cutaneous and genital warts in humans, including condyloma acuminatum. (HPV HPV human papillomavirus. HPV abbr. human papilloma virus Human papilloma virus (HPV) ) could send the wrong message to young women. "Abstinence is the best way to prevent HPV," Matter told New Scientist. "Giving the HPV vaccine to young women could be potentially harmful because they may see it as a license to engage in premarital sex." More than half of all sexually active people may carry the virus, which can cause outbreaks of genital warts. Although not considered as serious as syphilis or gonorrhea, HPV is rapidly spreading in the population. Many people who get it never show symptoms, but some forms can increase a woman's chances of developing cervical cancer. Condoms are not considered completely effective in blocking transmission of HPV. Wrote New Scientist, "HPV is extremely common. Half of all sexually active women between 18 and 22 in the U.S. are infected. Most cases clear up, but sometimes infection persists and can cause cancer decades later." Two pharmaceutical companies, Merck and GlaxoSmithKline, have developed vaccines that immunize im·mu·nize v. 1. To render immune. 2. To produce immunity in, as by inoculation. im against HPV infection. Merck has proposed giving the vaccine routinely to young women as they enter high school. If public opinion is any guide, the Religious Right will lose this fight. New Scientist cited a poll finding that 80 percent of parents would vaccinate vac·ci·nate v. To inoculate with a vaccine in order to produce immunity to an infectious disease such as diphtheria or typhus. vac their daughters against HPV if they had the opportunity. |
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