Safe Sex

Press, 23 October 1989, Page 16

Safe Sex

Sir,—P. B. Wye, (October 18) makes some important points — notably that the world’s ecological problems have much to do with selfishness, and that celibacy is neither impossible nor injurious. However, it is absurd to say that in earlier times, ecology. and over-population were not problems because people had greater self-discip-line. In the past, human ability to damage the environment was limited by the limits of technology; and human populations were kept in check by horrific epidemics. The modern need, in global terms, is to apply as much scientific ingenuity to protecting the environment as was once done to “conquering” it; and to practise conception control effectively as we do death control. On a more personal scale, we all must recognise than many people, at various ages and for various reasons, will be sexually active, with or without adequate knowledge of the consequences; it is important that everyone has the knowledge needed to make the most appropriate choices. The “Safe Sex” programme addressed this need.—Yours, etc., CATHERINE GLUE. October 18, 1989.