Recently, I was watching the news, when a fascinating topic was discussed. Representative Michelle Bachmann v. Gov. Rick Perry over his mandate in 2006 requiring all 6th grade girls in the state of Texas to receive the HPV vaccination. I find this a very controversial debate, and it's extremely hard for me to pinpoint who is right or wrong.
On the Gardasil website this is what it states about the drug: What is GARDASIL? GARDASIL is the only HPV vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of HPV. In girls and young women ages 9 to 26, GARDASIL helps protect against 2 types of HPV that cause about 75% of cervical cancer cases, and 2 more types that cause 90% of genital warts cases. In boys and young men ages 9 to 26, GARDASIL helps protect against 90% of genital warts cases.
Basically Bachmann believes that it is a violation of individuals' civil liberties and suggested that the vaccine could cause mental retardation. She went as far as to say it is, "a government injection through executive order" (Foxnews).
While I understand her points, I also very much see Perrys. The injection, while it does not prevent against all cervical cancers, can save many people from death resulting from cancer or major illness. It is a preventative medicine that can greatly change the course of someone's life. It can also save the government a lot of money considering the less people who have HPV related cancers, the less research they will have to spend billions of dollars on.
This is very hard topic to say whether which is right or wrong, but by my gathering of information I have come to conclude that while it was not right for Rick Perry to create a state order demanding girls receive the vaccination, because it really does conflict with many civil liberties, it was in good interests. This drug can save many peoples' lives and therefore should be taken, but only at the choice of each individual.
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