Skip navigation.

Winter 2002

“Vaccination” Against Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

DifferenTakes Series
16 ~ Winter 2002
[PDF Version]
By Rajani Bhatia, Jennifer Yanco

A potential new form of contraception fuels the ongoing controversy surrounding the development of methods of birth control versus methods of population control. Unlike currently available methods that work either mechanically as a barrier (condom, diaphragm), chemically (spermicidal foams and jellies), or hormonally (the pill, DepoProvera, Norplant), immuno-contraceptives, also called anti-fertility “vaccines,” work via the immune system. These contraceptives are designed to operate like vaccines.

Rajani Bhatia is the Coordinator of the Committee on Women, Population and the Environment (CWPE). Both she and Jennifer Yanco serve on the Dangerous Contraceptives Task Force of CWPE. CWPE is a regional coordinating organization of the International Campaign Against Population Control and Abusive, Hazardous Contraceptives.

References

  1. Richter J., Vaccination Against Pregnancy: Miracle or Menace? London: Zed Books; 1996, pp. 14-17. Target Practice, A Saheli Report. New Delhi: Saheli Women’s Resource Centre; October 1998, pp. 3-5.
  2. Side effects for Norplant include prolonged or irregular menstrual bleeding, severe headaches, depression, weight change, ovarian cysts, nausea, difficulties with insertion and removal (including infection), and even nerve damage. Side effects of Depo-Provera include hair loss, delayed return to fertility, nausea, depression, and increased risk for osteoporosis and for breast and cervical cancers.
  3. Mostad SB., “Prevalence and correlates of HIV type 1 shedding in the female genital tract.” AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 1998; 14: S11-S15 Smith SM, Baskin GB, Marx PA., “Estrogen protects against vaginal transmission of simian immunodeficiency virus.” Journal of Infectious Disease 2000; 182(3): 708-715
  4. Grady, D., “Scientists shifting strategies in quest for an AIDS vaccine.” The New York Times, June 5, 2001, p. D1
  5. Stolberg SG., In AIDS War, New Weapons and New Victims. The New York Times, June 3, 2001.
  6. Sack K., Epidemic Takes Toll on Black Women. The New York Times, July 3, 2001.
  7. Op cit, Target Practice, p. 6
  8. Ibid, p. 8.
  9. Op cit, Richter, p. 36.
  10. www.popcouncil.org/faqs/contra97.html#Immunocontraceptive (Accessed on October 10, 2001) Op cit, Target Practice, pp. 11-12.
  11. Personal communication with Gary Hunnicutt, Staff Scientist at the Population Council.
  12. Op cit, Target Practice, p. 8.
  13. Ibid, p. 48.

    14. Op cit, Richter, p. 43-51.

  14. Ibid.
  15. Ibid.
  16. Op cit, Richter, p. 58.
  17. Op cit, Richter, pp. 52-53.
  18. Op cit, Richter, pp. 33-36.
  19. Ibid.
  20. Roberts D. Killing the Black Body: Race Reproduction and the Meaning of Liberty. New York: Vintage Books, 1997, p. 148.
  21. Op cit, Richter, pp. 144-148.
  22. Resistance on the Rise: International Action Meeting on Anti-Fertility “Vaccines,” International Campaign against Population Control and Abusive, Hazardous Contraceptives. Amsterdam: July, 1996, p. 31.
Tags:
Syndicate content