Social Conservative Control Cervical Cancer Debate

Florida House Republicans shied away from Ed Homan's bill that would make mandatory vaccine shots for human papillomavirus. This is one of the causes of cervical cancer. Condoms can reduce risks by 70 percent. The Christian Right will continue to have the GOP push the failed policy of abstinence.

House Republicans argued if the vaccine is safe. The Food and Drug Administration has already approved the vaccine.

The vaccine, called Gardisil and developed by Merck & Co., was approved for girls and women ages 9 and 26. It is most useful if given to younger girls, because the vaccine is ineffective once the virus -- which is very common among sexually active people -- is already present.

The prospect of young girls receiving the vaccine has disturbed some social conservatives, who adamantly oppose efforts to make the vaccination mandatory. They say that sexual abstinence is the best way to avoid getting the virus.

But women's and public health groups are pressing hard for early and mandatory vaccinations, saying they will potentially save thousands of lives.

There is more concern about keep the social conservative base happy than preventing cancer. Michelle Halderman has tested positive for the HPV strains. She gave a powerful speech to the Florida House that cut to the heart of the matter.

"If this were a vaccine that could possible prevent breast cancer, prostate cancer or lung cancer, would here be any hesitancy? Would anyone even think of voting against that vaccine?" the 39-year-old Tallahassee resident asked the council. "Cancer is cancer. And cancer kills."

How many young women could be safed if one political party didn't pander to a small fringe of people.