AUSTIN, May 8, 2001 (LSN.ca) – The Texas Medical Association has endorsed abstinence, defining it in their policy as “the healthiest and most effective way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections in unmarried adolescents.” The Houston Chronicle reports that doctors who met at the TMA’s annual meeting Friday debated the primary promotion of abstinence. Dr. John Gill, a Dallas orthopedic surgeon and one of the delegates in attendance said, “We hope this strong statement by the medical community will empower parents. We’re not afraid to take a stand on risky behaviors such as drugs, smoking and drinking and driving. There’s no reason we should be afraid to take a stance on this.”
During the debate over the issue, one doctor, Dr. Jan Realini of San Antonio, questioned the “scientific evidence” saying abstinence was “most effective” in preventing teen-age pregnancy and STD’s. Dr. Catherine Scholl, an Austin anesthesiologist responded, “I’d like to remind this House that since the beginning of recorded history, abstinence has only failed one time in preventing pregnancy. And that’s well documented.” The response referring to Christ’s birth brought laughter and applause.
For more see the Houston Chronicle at: https://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.hts/health/900009