Contesting Claims on the Safety and Acceptability of Anti-Fertility Vaccines

This author notes that recently, international research institutions have undertaken to involve women's health advocates and potential users in contraceptive research and development. The purpose of this action is to reduce controversy and to develop contraceptives in accordance with the needs and preferences of users. The author points out that the controversy around anti-fertility vaccines (in particular the hCG vaccine) has not disappeared, however. This article describes the development of the hCG vaccine and the campaign launched to stop research on anti-fertility vaccines. An examination is made of how researchers have responded to this campaign. [Descriptors: Reproductive Rights - Reproductive Freedom, International]