rights of women vs. men
 

President 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 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, 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. His views of reproductive health care are far
outside the mainstream for reproductive technology. Dr. Hager is a
practicing OB/GYN who describes himself as "pro-life" and refuses to
prescribe contraceptives to unmarried women. 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. As an editor and contributing author of "The
Reproduction Revolution: A Christian Appraisal of Sexuality Reproductive
Technologies and the Family," Dr. Hager appears to have endorsed the
medically inaccurate assertion that the common birth control pill is an
abortifacient.

We are concerned that Dr. Hager's strong religious beliefs may color his
assessment of technologies that are necessary to protect women's lives for
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. There is something you can do. Below is a statement to be
sent to the White House, opposing the placement of Hager.


(1) Please copy and paste the entire message into a fresh email; then sign your name below. After you sign, SEND THIS TO EVERY PERSON
YOU KNOW WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

(2) Every 10th person who signs the list (i.e., #10, #20, #30, etc.) -
please forward the entire e-mail to [email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>

We oppose the appointment of Dr. W. David Hager to the FDA Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee. Mixing religion and medicine is unacceptable in a policy-making position. Using the FDA to promote a
political agenda is inappropriate and seriously threatens women's health.
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.