Hager FDA Appointment

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President Bush has announced his plan to select Dr. W. David Hager tohead up the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA)Reproductive Health DrugsAdvisory Committee. The committee has not met formore than two years, during which time its charter lapsed. As aresult, the Bush Administration is tasked with filling all eleven positions withnew members. This position does not require Congressional approval.The FDA's Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee makes crucialdecisions on matters relating to drugs used in the practice ofobstetrics, gynecology and related specialties, including hormone therapy,contraception, treatment for infertility, and medical alternatives tosurgical procedures for sterilization and pregnancy termination.

Dr. Hager, the author of "As Jesus Cared for Women: Restoring WomenThen and Now." The book blends biblical accounts of Christ healing Women! n withcase 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 theWoman's Body," he suggests that women who suffer from premenstrual syndromeshould seek help from reading the bible and praying. As an editor andcontributing author of "The Reproduction Revolution: A Christian Appraisal ofSexuality Reproductive Technologies and the Family," Dr. Hager appears to haveendorsed the medically inaccurate assertion that the common birthcontrol pill is an abortifacient.We are concerned that Dr. Hager's strong religious beliefs may colorhis assessment of technologies that are necessary to protect women's livesor to preserve and promote women's health.Hager's track record! rd of using religious beliefs to guide his medicaldecision-making makes him a dangerous and inappropriate candidate toserve as chair of this committee. Critical drug public policy and researchmust not be held hostage by antiabortion politics. Members of thisimportant panel should be appointed on the basis of science and medicine, ratherthan politics and religion. American women deserve no less.

There is something you can do. Below is a letter to be sent to theWhite House, opposing the placement of Hager. Please copy all the text ofthis email and paste it into a fresh email; then sign your name below and

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Copy the following letter into a new e-mail and send to:

president@whitehouse.gov

I oppose the appointment of Dr. W. David Hager to the FDAReproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee. Mixing religion and medicine isunacceptable in a policy-making position. Using the FDA to promote apolitical agenda is inappropriate and seriously threatens women'shealth.

Members of this important panel should be appointed on the basis ofscience and medicine, rather than politics and religion. Americanwomen deserve no less.

SEND THIS TO EVERY PERSON YOU KNOW WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT WOMEN'SRIGHTS.

Posted by EPV101773 on http://blog.johnkerry.com at September 19, 2004 04:49 PM