Mandatory Cancer Vaccine For Young Girls?
Mandatory Cancer Vaccine for Young Girls?
Many people have died waiting for a cure for cancer. A recent scientific breakthrough has brought about a vaccination that can prevent most cases of cervical cancer. We should be leaping for joy. As a nation, we should be profoundly grateful. I was dumbfounded to discover that not everyone is rejoicing.
The vaccination in question is Gardasil and it protects women from two types of HPV (human papillomavirus). These HPV strains are the main culprits in the development of cervical cancer and genital warts. The CDC suggests that girls should be vaccinated as young as 9. The question whether the vaccination should be mandatory has sparked national controversy.
I am amazed that there is a debate on this issue. There are some who argue that since HPV is transmitted sexually a mandatory vaccination against the virus would be seen as an endorsement of premarital sex. Others are wary of giving the government more control over parental rights.
I respect the American right to voice objections, but this is a life and death issue. Gardasil can give our daughters protection against a potentially terminal illness. We need to educate parents of the ramifications of denying their daughters access to this life saving vaccination.
If I close my eyes and listen closely, I can almost hear the collective voice of all the women before me whose life was cut short by cervical cancer. Their grave intention to warn others, “The time to act is now.” Can you hear it too?
November 16th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
[…] method. Maybe next time I’ll ask a more controversial question. Like the should we have themandatory cervical cancer vaccine for young girls. But this time … well, everyone wants a breast cancer cure and I do believe […]
February 14th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
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