Posted on 05/03/2004 11:50:33 PM PDT by nickcarraway
EDINBURGH, May 3, 2004, (LifeSiteNews.com) - As many as four hundred girls, some as young as 14, have been sterilized by doctors in Scotland at public expense, without their parents' knowledge. The programme was part of an effort by public health officials to stem the growing number of teenage pregnancies. The method used was a contraceptive implant, Implanon, that releases hormones into the blood stream. Similar to Norplant, a favorite tool of groups working to sterilize populations in the developing world through United Nations-sponsored programmes,
Tory health spokesman in the Scottish parliament has heavily criticized the action saying that he opposes the sterilization of young girls without parental knowledge or consent. He called modern sex education programmes "how-to" instruction without emphasis on "responsibility and respect for each other." He said, "It's about time we educated our young children to take responsibility and understand they take tremendous risks when they take part in sexual activity. Casual sex, particularly with under-age drinking, is leading to a huge explosion in the transfer of diseases, not to mention pregnancy."
Implanon works by releasing progesterone into the blood stream for up to three years. It is not known what long-term effect this has on adolescent girls. Implanon's website obliquely warns women who "have recently had a thrombosis (blood clot) in the leg or the lung should discuss this method with their doctor before use." Blood clots related to a birth control "patch" were cited as the cause of death of Zakiya Kennedy in early April.
Dr Trevor Stammers, of the Family Education Trust, said: "I do not believe a doctor who does this to an under-16-year-old girl without her parents' knowledge is acting in an ethically acceptable way. Doctors are giving carte blanche to me to have sex with under-age girls."
IAN JOHNSTON
GIRLS as young as 14 are being sterilised for years by doctors without their parents’ consent as part of a bid to cut teenage pregnancy rates.
Contraceptive rods about one-and-a-half inches long have been surgically implanted into approximately 400 girls under the age of 16, according to new government figures.
These gradually release a synthetic hormone that stops the production of eggs for up to three years. The government also said that thousands of injections had been given to under-16s to make them infertile for three months.
It is hoped the drug will help cut the number of teenage pregnancies in Britain, which has the highest rate in western Europe.
However, family campaigners and the Conservatives voiced fears that use of the contraceptive, called Implanon, would encourage promiscuity and lead to a rise in sexually transmitted diseases. Concerns have also been expressed about the long-term use of artificial hormones at a time of major hormonal change.
The figures were revealed in an answer to a parliamentary question put by the Conservatives in the Commons.
David Davidson, the Tory health spokesman in the Scottish Parliament, acknowledged teenage pregnancy was "obviously a growing problem" but said handing out contraceptives was the wrong answer. "I’m totally against the idea that under-age children should be able to receive a morning-after pill, contraception or an abortion without the parents being informed.
"It’s about time we educated our young children to take responsibility and understand they take tremendous risks when they take part in sexual activity. Casual sex, particularly with under-age drinking, is leading to a huge explosion in the transfer of diseases, not to mention pregnancy."
He said current sex education was simply a "how-to" guide rather than a programme teaching "responsibility and respect for each other".
"It’s a cultural change we need. That’s why we cannot cut their parents out of the loop," Mr Davidson said.
Guidance from the General Medical Council states that GPs must only consider whether their under-age patient is "capable to decide" on the form of treatment. This follows the Victoria Gillick case in the 1980s. Gillick lost a High Court action in which she tried to stop doctors from prescribing contraception to those under 16 without parental approval.
Dr Trevor Stammers, of the Family Education Trust, said: "I do not believe a doctor who does this to an under-16-year-old girl without her parents’ knowledge is acting in an ethically acceptable way.
"Doctors are giving carte blanche to me to have sex with under-age girls."
Dr Anne Szarewski, of the family planning organisation, the Margaret Pyke Centre, said implants and injections were popular with girls who wanted to hide the fact they were sexually active from their parents.
Implanon is put under the skin of the arm. Its effect can last for up to three years and it has similar side effects to the pill.
A spokesman for the Scottish Executive was unable to comment on the extent of Implanon’s use in Scotland, but said the Executive was currently considering a sexual health strategy to address teenage pregnancy rates.
A spokeswoman for the Westminster government’s teenage pregnancy unit said the decision on contraception was for the individual to make.
Message sent to Teen girls: Now you can have sex anywhere, anytime, and with anyone you want, your parents be damned.
Okay, I agree with him, but it's a creepy way to put it...some things just shouldn't be expressed in the first person.
When I read it, I imagined him as John Clease, and fully expected the next line to be, "Right, then. Well, carry on!"
No, it generally means the same thing. I can only guess that the word was used to give an extra shock impact to the article!
Ever heard of Italy? Japan?
Ever wonder about all the "new" diseases?
Not in this context, no.
Duh.
If these 14-16 year olds get in the habit of casual sex without any other contraceptive method, then when these implants wear off, these girls may quickly become pregnant 17-19 year olds, who may then opt for abortions. They will have been trained that sex has no consequences, so they may not be prepared to expect any risks or changes to their lifestyle.
That is, they might get pregnant easily if they haven't become sterile (permanently) from catching STD's during three years of potential promiscuity.
Not real hard to picture, is it?
Yes, there's a big (HUGE) difference between sterilization and contraception. Not that I approve of freely dispensing contraception to teens without parental consent, but to call it "sterilization" seems like a typical media tactic to hyperinflate a story. Or could it be scottish terminology?
When you read that 400 girls were STERILIZED, you think "Good God, how can something like THAT happen?!". Then you realize that what they're really saying is that 400 girls were given birth control. It's still bad, but at least it's not permanent. Maybe it's just local terminology. Or someone's got a huge grudge against the pharmaceuticals industry.
I'm not an expert in the subject, but honestly, I don't think Norplant goes around sterilizing the 3rd world.
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