A very promising cervical cancer vaccine should be available in Australia soon. Studies have evidently shown that it’s best to vaccinate girls before they have sex and between the ages of nine and twelve because of their strong antibody response. (Melissa Fyfe US approves our cervical cancer vaccine, Melbourne Age, 10 June 2006)

Now this next bit falls into the ‘eyes drop out, chin hits floor’ department. Catholic ethicist Nicholas Tonti-Filippini has produced this astonishing piece of po-facery:

… Tonti-Filippini said a vaccination program would have to explain sex and sexual diseases to the young girls targeted. ‘To raise it with them before they understand the whole question of sexual activity would violate their innocence. I would expect most parents feel the same way.’

Yeah right, Nick - in 1906 maybe. There’s a huge difference between innocence and ignorance. And are you really prepared to expose girls to the threat of cervical cancer for want of a simple vaccination? Where’s the ‘ethics’ in that?

Filed in: Sexuality