Dear lactnut friends, this is something you should be informed about, as it will impact our breastfeeding moms. FYI
I would have given the URL, but I don't know it...
Michelle Scott, MA, RD, IBCLC in NH
FDA AppointmentPresident Bush has announced his plan to select Dr. W. David Hager to
head up the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Reproductive
Health Drugs Advisory Committee. The committee has not met for more than
two years, during which time its charter has lapsed. As a result,
the Bush Administration is tasked with filling all eleven positions with
new members. This position does not require Congressional approval.
The FDA's Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee makes crucial
decisions on matters relating to drugs used in the practice of
obstetrics, gynecology and related specialties, including hormone
therapy, contraception, treatment for infertility, and medical
alternatives to surgical procedures for sterilization and pregnancy
termination.
Dr. Hager's views of reproductive health care are far outside the
mainstream of setback for reproductive technology.
Dr. Hager is a practicing OB/GYN who describes himself as "pro-life" and
refuses to prescribe contraceptives to unmarried women. Hager is the
author of "As Jesus Cared for Women: Restoring Women Then and Now."
The book blends biblical accounts of Christ healing women with case
studies from Hager's practice. In the book Dr. Hager wrote with his wife,
entitled "Stress and the Woman's Body," he suggests that women who suffer
from premenstrual syndrome should seek help from reading the bible and
praying.
Hagar's mission is religiously motivated. He has an ardent interest in revoking approval for mifepristone (formerly known as RU-486) as a safe and early form of medical abortion. Hagar recently assisted the Christian Medical Association in a "citizen's petition" which calls upon the FDA to revoke its approval of mifepristone in the name of women's health.
Hager's desire to overturn mifepristone's approval on religious grounds
rather than scientific merit would halt the development of mifepristone
as a treatment for numerous medical conditions disproportionately
affecting women, including breast cancer, uterine cancer, uterine
fibroid tumors, psychotic depression, bipolar depression and Cushing's
syndrome. Women rely on the FDA to ensure their access to safe and
effective drugs for reproductive health care including products that
prevent pregnancy.
For some women, such as those with certain types of diabetes and those
undergoing treatment for cancer pregnancy can be a life-threatening
condition. We are concerned that Dr. Hager's strong religious beliefs may
color his assessment of technologies that are necessary to protect
women's lives or to preserve and promote women's health.
Hager's track record of using religious beliefs to guide his medical
decision-making makes him a dangerous and inappropriate candidate to
serve as chair of this committee. Critical drug public policy and
research must not be held hostage by antiabortion politics.
Members of this important panel should be appointed on the basis of
science and medicine, rather than politics and religion. American women
deserve no less.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
1. SEND THIS TO EVERY PERSON WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT WOMEN'S RIGHTS.
2. OPPOSE THE PLACEMENT OF THIS MAN BY CONTACTING THE WHITE HOUSE AND
TELL THEM HE IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE ON ANY LEVEL.
Please email President Bush at [log in to unmask]
or call the White House at (202) 456-1111 or (202) 456-1414 and say "I
oppose the appointment of Dr. Hager to the FDA Reproductive Health
Drugs Advisory Committee. Mixing religion and medicine is unacceptable.
Using the FDA to promote a political agenda is inappropriate and
seriously threatens all women's health."
[IMAGE](Embedded image moved to file: pic19668.pcx)
- pic19668.pcx
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