This article is courtesy of the Capital District Humanist Society monthly publication. Dr. Ana Lita, is director of the IHEU-Appignani Center for Bioethics, an affiliate of the International Humanist and Ethical Union.

Merck and GlaxoSmithKline have developed a vaccine for the human papilloma virus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer, which afflicts 10,000 American women a year. Yesterday I had the privilege of discussing this vaccine at a conference of the United Nations' Division for the Advancement of Women.

This new vaccine is a cause of great controversy among Christian groups because it can be administered to teenagers before they become sexually active. Christian groups believe vaccination will provide teenagers and young adults with a false sense of security that will lead them to engage in sexual activity before marriage.

I recall when the right to abortion was opposed primarily because it was believe it would lead to more premarital sex; only secondarily were the rights of the fetus questioned. The HPV vaccination controversy demonstrates that no matter what the issue--sexually transmitted diseases or abortion--the religious right always concludes that the only solution is the maintenance of female virginity.

The belief that the vaccine will lead to "imoorality" implies that having sex before marriage is worse than getting cancer. This inconsistency is analogous to the pro-life refusal to help prevent abortion--which it claimes is its primary aim--by refusing to advocate the use of birth control. Opposition to the HPV vaccine and abortion has little to do with protecting human life; its primary aim is to ensure that women remain with the bonds of marriage.

--Ana Lita, Ph.D