Editor,
In Monday’s GOP primary debate, there were two statements regarding women’s health issues that were both incorrect and detrimental to society.
First, the morning-after pill, also known as “Plan B,” is not the abortion pill. The morning-after pill does not terminate a pregnancy.
This pill acts to prevent the fertilization or implantation of an egg. It contains the same hormones as birth control pills, only in higher doses. The abortion pill (RU-486) is a different drug and actually terminates a pregnancy.
Second, and even more detrimental, was the statement that HPV vaccinations are dangerous, which is simply untrue. HPV vaccinations such as Gardasil do not use live HPV viruses.
Therefore, it is not possible to contract HPV through vaccination.
Statements were made that it should be left up to each parent’s discretion whether a young girl should get the HPV vaccination.
Why would we as a society not do everything possible to prevent cancer, especially a cancer that is so dangerous to women?
We no longer live in an era where it is common belief that diseases punish the immoral. When we know what causes a deadly disease, we as a society should do everything in our power to prevent it.
Requiring this vaccination is no different than requiring the many other vaccinations that schools demand children receive. We make vaccinations mandatory for diseases that plague society, such as polio.
Cancer of all types needs to be vanquished from society. I stand for preventing all types of cancer and hope my government will stand with me.
Sarah Coffey
UNM student
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