Posted on 09/13/2011 2:48:19 PM PDT by neverdem
More than an hour into last night’s debate, Rep. Michele Bachmann attacked Gov. Rick Perry on the HPV vaccination controversy — or more accurately pseudo-controversy. It stems from an executive order issued by Perry in 2007 that required all Texas girls to receive Gardasil, a vaccine against the most common strains of human papilloma virus, before entering the sixth grade. However, Texas lawmakers blocked that mandate. Some critics argued that the vaccine was too new to have been confirmed safe, while others said that Perry’s order would preempt parental rights or give girls a false sense of security, possibly causing them to become sexually active at a young age.
Bachmann alluded to the Perry’s executive order mandating the exposure of young girls to a “dangerous” vaccine and tried to distinguish Gardasil from other required pediatric vaccines that prevent infectious diseases. Note to Bachmann: The vaccine, Merck’s Gardasil, prevents infection with the most common strains of human papilloma virus. Once established, these viruses can ultimately cause genital warts as well as cervical, anal, vulvar, and vaginal cancers. Thus, by preventing the infection, the vaccine prevents all those sequelae.
In the extensive clinical studies (on more than 20,000 girls and women) that were performed prior to the FDA’s licensing of the vaccine, the vaccine was 100 per cent effective, a virtually unprecedented result. How safe is the vaccine? No serious side effects were detected; the most common side effect is soreness, redness and swelling in the arm at the site of the injection.
In summary, Gardasil has one of the most favorable risk-benefit ratios of any pharmaceutical.
Having spent 15 years at the FDA and having seen regulation — the good, the bad and the ugly — up close, I am as opposed to anyone (exceptperhaps Ron Paul) to non-essential government intrusion into our lives. But some interventions are good. Among those I would include vaccination against childhood diseases and compulsory use of seat belts and motorcycle helmets.
I am discouraged by politicians who not only don’t know much about science, technology, or medicine (which is perhaps understandable) but also don’t know what they don’t know (which is unacceptable).
Here’s my advice to the presidential hopefuls: If you’re not sure of the facts, keep quiet.
— Henry I. Miller, M.D., is Robert Wesson Fellow in Scientific Philosophy & Public Policy Hoover Institution.
I’m finding that *I* myself am pretty much a RINO these days. About the only thing I have in common with the Republican Party is that’s how I’m registered. But unless and until the GOP starts to act like the bearer of the Conservative banner, I’m more likely to vote for libertarians or independents who do.
It scary similar to Bush and they were just discussing this on KFI Los Angeles and several others mentioned this last night, right here.
I honestly don’t even care enough about Romney to do that, but what I don’t get is why the same people who have the time to post 100000000000 anti Perry threads don’t do the same for Romney.
Sounds about right from a Navy boy who spent 24 years on active duty without having a shot fired at him in anger. Since WWII the only enlisted with rare exception who could say they were in combat were pilots or their back seats. Were you there my friend?
Listening to her on Hannity this afternoon turned me off to her badly.
If I had just tuned in and didn’t know who it was I would have thought she was a raving Liberal droning on and on trolling for the touchy feelies in the audience.
She has great ideas but imo has revealed some things about her character that are detestable.
>>I don’t know why the trans texas corridor is not being discussed at all.<<
It’s sure more important than this stupid vaccine non-issue.
The drug is not a guard against STDs but against cervical cancer, STDs do not led to cancer.
Some things don't need sayin'.
This issue has two parts: the vaccination mandate and the safety of the vaccine.
Conservatives can certainly question Perry's judgement about mandating the vaccinations. But Bachmann and her supporters look like fools for calling into question the vaccine's safety and effectiveness.
The Human Papilloma virus directly causes cancer.
Um, it is a option.
How about ALL Republicans up on the stage remember we’re all on the same freaking side, and the enemy is Obama and socialist party?
Geez, the Dems don’t have to do ANYTHING. They just need to sit back and watch our side eat our own. The morons...
Every debate should focus on the economy and the fact that Democrats WRECKED the economy when they “siezed control” of Congress in 2006.
This other bullsh*t is just that - bullsh*t.
Correction
...and the enemy is Obama and his socialist party?
I am one of those who came to Texas for work and had some of the same reservation that have been voiced over and over on FR My current job is newly created due to growth and is not minimum wage by a long shot.
I was knee jerk on the gardasil issue (Florida had something similar, I believe) until I found out about the opt out and political reason for the EO.
I’m guessing that on FR most of Perry’s harshest critics have never been in a position of responsibility with serious problems to handle where no matter what they did SOMEONE was going to be pissed.
Perry is going to piss someone off no matter what he does. In a couple places it was me.
Consider that Perry didn’t throw a hissy fit and try to take anyone out when the legislature overruled him. He dealt with it and moved.
Texas is a Red State now due to him, IMO. He’s got some solid Conservative beliefs unlike Bush’s conservative beliefs.
Find me the perfect candidate. Not partially perfect but fully perfect, then vote for that candidate.
But I suspect it won’t be in 2012 or any time soon.
Not as a normal course. So this drug only incidentally prevents this. Bad water probably causes more cancer than this virus.
My opinion is that he did throw a hissy fit. Given the sentiment he expressed when over-ridden, why would he move on?
Gov. Rick Perry's Remarks Regarding the HPV Vaccine Legislation - May 5, 2007
Those legislators who claim this is about their right to determine public policy have succeeded in overturning my order. But if they care about succeeding in stopping the spread of the second most deadly cancer among women, and not just asserting their power, then they will turn around and pass legislation to make access to the HPV vaccine as widely available as possible. Instead, they have sent me a bill that will ensure three-quarters of our young women will be susceptible to a virus that not only kills hundreds each year, but causes great discomfort and harm to thousands more. Instead of vaccinating close to 95 percent of our young women, and virtually eliminating the spread of the most common STD in America, they have relegated the lives of our young women to social Darwinism, where only those who can afford it, or those who understand the virtues of it, will get access to the HPV vaccine.In fact, this legislature has not only overturned an order that could save women's lives, but they put rider language in the budget that prevents the state from funding vaccines for low-income women if it is mandated by the commission. This is shameful. Not only does this not make sense in terms of social policy, it doesn't make fiscal sense. The cost of providing this vaccine to eligible young women through the Vaccines for Children program and Medicaid is less than $13 million in general revenue each year, while the cost of treating HPV-related cervical diseases is $173 million in direct medical costs each year. ...
Perry is more conservative than Bush, but not a movement conservative. Probably has more in common with someone like Allan Shivers, a major figure in Texas politics in the ‘40s and ‘50s. or, to use a better example, someone like Phil Gram, who also switched parties. None of these guys was exactly a stranger to the rich and powerful.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.