Reproduction controversies have long driven a wedge between conservatives and liberals, and in December of 2011 Americans witnessed the debate extend into the realm of science. After extensive research and experimentation, the FDA ruled Plan B-One Step, an emergency contraceptive pill, safe and effective for women of all ages. The Food and Drug Administration advocated for the pill to be sold over the counter to females of all ages, including those 16 and under who are currently barred from buying the pill without a prescription. The US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, overruled the FDA’s decision on the claim that the studies did not “conclusively establish that Plan B could be used safely by the youngest girls.” (Stein). Much to the disappointment of democrats, Obama supported Sebelius’s decision. Nature’s “The Morning After” criticizes the decision as an example of politics overriding science, whereas "Another view: Plan B promotes risky behavior" praises the verdict as a necessary factor in protecting the health and safety of young American women.
“The Morning After,” a Nature editorial published shortly after the decision was made public, expressed outrage with the decision, claiming that Obama dismissed scientific evidence and set a dangerous precedent for overriding science in the face of politics. The article suggests that Obama supported Sebelius’s decision in an effort to remain in good standing with conservatives during an election year. Shockingly, this is the first time in US history that the government has overruled a decision made by the FDA, and many are worried that this decision will encourage political interference with science in the future. Furthermore, in the beginning of his administration, Obama held a conference with scientists assuring them against this very situation. Obama made promises to scientists that agency heads would not interfere with their work in order to maintain scientific integrity. Various government agencies are in the process of drafting policies that explicitly ban “alteration of scientific data on the basis of political motivation” (Reich). “The Morning After” article maintains that Plan B should be available for all women of reproductive age.
“Another view: Plan B promotes risky choices,” provides a contrasting position. This editorial claims that no matter the reasoning, Sebelius was justified in her decision to overrule the FDA and Obama was wise to support her ruling. The article asserts that Sebelius provided “significant cognitive and behavioral differences between older adolescent girls and the youngest girls of reproductive age” (Stein) that should keep Plan B-One Step off the shelves. Additionally, the article suggests that selling Plan B to girls of any age encourages sexual behavior and opens the door for sexual abusers. Washington Post writer Rob Stein also mentions in his article, “FDA weighs putting Plan B morning-after pill on drugstore shelves,” that if the drug were easier to obtain, sexual predators could easily purchase the drug and force their victims to consume the drug in an effort to prevent the risk of pregnancy after an attack. “Another view: Plan B promotes risky choices,” also argues that selling the drug over the counter would cut parents and doctors out of important decisions for adolescents.
"The Morning After." Nature. 480.7378 (2011): n. page. Web. 29 Jan. 2012.
<http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v480/n7378/full/480413a.html>.
Scheidler, Eric. "Another View: Plan B Promotes Risky Choices." USA Today. (2011): n..
page. Web. 29 Jan. 2012. <http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/story/2011-
12-08/Plan-B-promotes-risky-choices/51751818/1>.
Stein, Rob. "FDA Considers Putting Plan B Morning-After Pill on Drugstore Shelves."
Washington Post. (2011): n. page. Web. 29 Jan. 2012.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/fda-weighs-putting-
plan-b-morning-after-pill-on-drugstore
shelves/2011/11/30/gIQA6h8SXO_story.html>.
Stein, Rob. "Obama Administration Refuses to Relax Plan B Restrictions." Washington
Post. (2011): n. page. Web. 29 Jan. 2012.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/obama-administration-
refuses-to-relax-plan-b-restrictions/2011/12/07/gIQAF5HicO_story.html>.
Reich, Eugenie. "Rules on Integrity Signal Tighter Stance." Nature. 480.7378 (2011): n.
page. Web. 29 Jan. 2012. <http://www.nature.com/news/rules-on-integrity-signal-
tighter-stance-1.9694>.
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