The Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine

The Human Papilloma Virus, in short terms known as HPV, is a sexually transmitted infection that can potentially lead to cervical cancer and genital warts. All cases of HPV do not cause cervical cancer, only certain strains. Yet, the rising number of deaths from cervical cancer actually caused by HPV has undeniably caught the attention of the public. In response to the cervical cancer death rate, pharmaceutical companies have developed an HPV vaccine. The vaccine was considered a major medicinal breakthrough for some, but raised a number of concerns for others. Although the safety along with the effectiveness of the vaccine has been proven, it continues to originate controversy as both advocates and opponents assess their views of whether the vaccine should be mandated or not.

Proponents of the vaccine argue that HPV is becoming more universal in the human population, and pharmaceutical companies have proposed a remedy. They believe that once individuals began to have sex, they have skyrocketed their chances of being exposed to HPV. This sexually transmitted infection (STI) can lead to many dangerous effects. Professor of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin, Jonathon Temte (2008) states “Over 40 serotypes of HPV can cause genital infections, but types 6, 11, 16 and 18) are responsible for approximately 70 percent of cervical cancer cases and 90 percent of genital wart cases in the United States” (p.28). Being that most cervical cancer cases are linked to HPV, this vaccine has the potential to be life changing. People that contract HPV, often do not receive any type of symptoms, which could pose a severe problem because they will not seek medical care. This type of negligence has led to staggering demographics in the past. Sen...

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...dvantageous and it could save a few lives, therefore it should be mandated.

Works Cited

Works cited

Dailard, Cynthia. (2006) “Guttmacher Policy Review, vol. 9, no.4.” Guttmacher institute.

Gulli, C., Intini, J., & George, L. (2009). The Cervical Cancer Vaccine Has Not Been Proven Safe or Effective. In S. Engdahl (Ed.), Current Controversies. Vaccines. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.

Javitt, Gail, et al. (2008). “Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, vol. 36, issue 2, pp.384-395.” American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics.

Temte, J. L. (2008). The Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Is a Beneficial Medical Breakthrough. In L. Gerdes (Ed.), Opposing Viewpoints. Medicine. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.

Tomljenovic, Lucij, Shaw, Christopher. (2012) “Too Fast or Not Too Fast: FDA’s Approval of Merck’s HPV Vaccine Gardasil”. Web.