Birth Control
Gregory Pincus, American biologist who played the principal role in the development of the contraceptive pill
In the four million years that humans have existed, scientists calculate that a total of 72 billion humans have lived on earth. But today human beings are multiplying at an alarming rate and it is expected that by the year 2000 the population will reach 8 billion! In another 100 years it will surpass 100 billion if our planet is not blown to pieces!
No doubt that political, religious and scientific leaders will have to find a way to prevent this population catastrophe. Anyone who does not want to face the reality of this problem is selfish, naive and an enemy of mankind!
In 1798, Thomas Maithus, an Englishman, was the first to formulate the threat of overpopulation. His idea was based on the fact that population tends to increase almost exponentially (doubling: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16,...) whereas food production only increases arithmetically (1, 2, 3, 4, 5,...). He predicted that millions of human beings would be doomed to live in poverty and eventually starve to death. His prediction has already been fulfilled.
China, with more than one billion people, is a very notorious example of what could happen to western nations in the near future. The Chinese Constitution prohibits each couple from having more than one child. The population threat is so clear and compelling that every nation should institute laws regulating the number of births before it is too late.
The time will come when the couple with more than two children will be considered immoderate by their neighbors. Unwanted children become a burden to society increasing taxes, welfare, and impoverishing many.
The
knowledge of birth control methods should be more important than passing a
driver’s license examination! Therefore, let us learn about birth control.
There are three categories of birth control methods:
(1) without prescription,
(2) with prescription and
(3) surgical.
Without
prescription:
a) Coitus interruptus or penis withdrawal before
ejaculation.
b) The rhythm method: sexual intercourse during woman’s
infertile period.
(1)
Temperature method of determining infertile period.
(2) Lactation method of determining infertile period.
C) Condom or ‘‘rubber’’ covering penis.
Sperm
Killing Vaginal Applications:
Foam
Cream
Jellies
Suppositories
Tablets
Douches
With
prescription:
a) Birth control pills: preventing egg from leaving ovary.
b) The morning after pill (egg prevented from attaching to uterus).
c) Diaphragm (blocks sperm entrance into uterus).
d) IUD (Intrauterine Device) (prevents egg implantation in uterus).
With
surgery:
Sterilization:
(1) In man — (Diagram)
vasectomy: Sperm ducts (vas deferens) are permanently cut.
(2) In woman (Diagram)
tubal ligation. (Fallopian tubes cut or ligated). (
3) Abortion: Termination of pregnancy within 3 months of
fertilization.
In the first grouping of non-prescription methods, the condom is the most reliable and practical if properly used and in addition protects both partners from venereal disease. All other methods are less reliable and thus not recommended. Condoms should be used with lubricating jelly.
In the second grouping (prescription methods), birth control pills offer the most reliable and practical method. The woman should be examined by her physician to determine if she is suited to take birth control pills. Regular follow-up examinations by a physician. are required. Of the three surgical procedures, vasectomy is the safest and simplest method. Tuballigation, while reliable, is major surgery and poses some risk.
Abortion is the last resort to birth control. The U.S. Supreme Court (1973) stated that this procedure should be the result of a decision made by the woman and her physician during the first three months of the pregnancy. No one should hesitate to obtain birth control advice from clinics or family physician. Birth control is a personal responsibility.