|
Heralded as the catalyst of the sexual revolution, the contraceptive pill is often regarded as one of the most important landmarks in the twentieth century. Developed at the same time as the race for the moon, the pill, just a quarter of an inch in diameter, was once hailed as a scientific cure for the world's rising population and its consequent social and political ills.
The pill, however, did not prove itself to be the social panacea envisioned by its inventors. The Pope has never sanctioned its use and countries such as India and Japan have largely, for both political and cultural reasons, rejected it. Remaining far too expensive for most women in poor countries, the pill has also proved far from satisfactory in the campaign to control the world's growing population. Even in industrialised countries the pill fell from popularity in the late 1960s when its links with cardiovascular disease began to be publicised and fear grew that it might be linked with cancer.
However, since its development, nearly 200 million women have swallowed the contraceptive pill, making it one of the most widely consumed drugs in the world. The pill can truly be called the first 'designer' or 'lifestyle' drug of the twentieth century.
The pill was unlike all previous forms of contraception in that it could be taken by mouth and did not have to be used at the moment of intercourse. Moreover, women could use it discreetly without their partner knowing. Effectively separating the act of sex from procreation the pill reinforced expectations about the ability of humans to control their reproductive destiny. For the first time, women could securely plan when to have children and thereby participate in education and employment on an unprecedented scale.
The days of daily pill-taking, however, are numbered. In addition to injectable hormonal contraception, women can absorb hormonal contraceptives through the use of a skin patch or a vaginal ring. By 2010 contraceptive gels and inhalers may also be available, as will 'smart' hormones, which target specific tissues involved in fertility. Such contraceptives will make the pill, which acts on the entire female body, look like dinosaur technology. Concerns about AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases are also encouraging new forms of condoms. One Japanese company, for example, has developed a pair of latex underpants with a built-in condom facility.
Developed on the basis of intricate knowledge of hormonal biology, the pill also promoted new treatments for infertility. Reproductive technologies today are changing rapidly, fuelled in part by new techniques in in vitro fertilisation (IVF), cloning and stem-cell research as well as advances in freezing ovarian eggs and sperm. As was the case with the pill, how much society and individuals adopt the new emerging contraceptives and infertility treatments will depend greatly on their cost, effectiveness and safety.
Lara Marks is visiting Senior Research Associate, University of Cambridge.
Image: 'Come dancing', a ball gown decorated with 6500 wrapped oral contraceptive pills, by artist Susie Freeman.
The views and opinions expressed by writers herein do not necessarily reflect those of the Wellcome Trust.
|
