In keeping with the Bush Administration’s policy of putting religion ahead of science, Dear Leader appointed Dr. W. David Hager to the FDA’s Reproductive Health Advisory Committee. Because why should the head of a committee on reproductive health believe in contraception? How reassuring that the White House doesn’t use a litmus test in its appointments.
While I am not going to email anyone other than the White House, the text of the petition follows.
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 Jesus 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 extreme religious beliefs may color his assessment of technologies that are necessary to protect women’s lives, and 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.
You can make your feelings known by writing directly to George. I’m sure Karl will read it to him. And they will laugh…
While I was revising this, I found this article about the sad intersection of religion and reproductive health over at Fantasy Life. Even more reason to wince over doctors like Hager guiding federal policy.
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