Plan B: Politics or Science?

Although the morning after pill/ Plan B cannot be directly be linked to “Desperate Housewives,” I think it’s important to learn a little bit about it. On March 7, 2007, I attended a lecture given by Susan Wood at The College of New Jersey. Susan was very surprised that she would be forced to resign from the FDA due to birth control issues. It’s very interesting that Plan B is becoming such a huge issue. In actuality, Plan B is nothing more than a high does of birth control pills. Plan B does NOT kill a fetus! Instead, it shuts down ovulation. It’s like taking multiple birth control pills at the same time. The debate over whether or not Plan B should be available over the counter and what age groups can use it is being based on politics and not on the science. At this current time, Plan B is of non-prescription status for those 18 years of age or older. Unfortunately, the status of Plan B (whether it should be prescription or over the counter) was up in the air for a very long time. I feel that many people who got expensive and possibly painful or dangerous abortions could have been saved a lot of stress and money if this issue had been decided upon sooner. My questions are this: what does the FDA have against Plan B and what happens to those who are sexually active below 18 years of age? Denying that minors have sex is preposterous. Realistically, minors do in fact have sex. It would most likely be harder for a minor to afford an abortion than someone 18 or older. Considering the fact that Plan B is safe and effective and it’s the FDA’s job to approve things that are safe and effective, it seems foolish that Plan B is having such a hard time. Unfortunately, it’s all political. All I want to say is that it’s a woman’s right to decide what she wants to do with her body. If you do not approve of Plan B, then do not use it! Considering that birth control pills and abortion are legal and widely used, it makes little sense not to allow Plan B. The government needs to realize that birth control is incredibly important and needs to be here! I’m not saying that minors should be having sex, but I am saying that we need to be realistic. I am very glad that Susan Wood took the time to come to my college and speak about Plan B. I knew very little about the situation beforehand, and it’s great to have just a little bit more knowledge about the subject.