‘Genetic Harm Unlikely’

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32266, 8 April 1970, Page 2

‘Genetic Harm Unlikely’

Control of conception in the female is not likely to be associated with any danger of genetic damage. Children born to women who have taken oral contraceptives have been shown to be entirely unaffected by the woman's previous use of hormonal contraceptives. This information is given by Dr W. R. Rasanayagam, chairman of the International Planned Parenthood Federation’s South-East Asia and Oceania regional medical committee, in a press release.

In spite of all the evidence tn favour of the contraceptive pill, the Central Medical Committee of the international federation will review all the available knowledge on oral contraceptives when it meets in New York on April 10, 11, and 12. Experts from all over the world will attend the meet-

ing, which is being held in conjunction with the World Congress of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The conclusions drawn up are expected to be published internationally about April 18. When it discussed oral contraception in December, 1968, the central committee concluded that “no programme of hormonal contraception should be deferred or interrupted since the committee believes that the benefits to health of widespread use of oral contraceptives outweigh the probable risks.” According to Dr Rasanayagam, most of the recent interest in hormonal contraceptives has been based on personal opinions, and relatively little on the accumulation of constructive observations.

There had been no significant addition to knowledge of side-effects in the last few months, he said.