I have received an e-mail asking me to sign a petition against the appointment of Dr.D. Hager as top of FDA. Right away I double checked with urban legends, well, scary enough it is true. Among other thing the good Doctor claims that women with PMS should read the Bible and pray!.........Yeah right!!!

The petition list is extensive and signed by mostly hundreds (so far) of women.This list is to be be sent then to GWB at the White House.What are your thoughts on it?

He's been in this position since December 2002 and was reinstated in July 2004. While he may have his strict religious beliefs, he has stated that he does not deny birth control prescriptions to unmarried women. Of course there have been rumors that in his private business as a physician he has declined these prescriptions, but can't doctor's in private businesses follow their own agenda? Many doctors will refuse to do abortions or hysterectomies.

I think we'll be alright. So far it doesn't seem that his personal views have affected his professional duties to this committee.

Dr. Hager has not been appointed to head the FDA. He is a member, and not the Chairman, of the FDA's Advisory Committee for Reproductive Health Drugs. The committee serves in an advisory capacity only and makes no binding decisions.

Some thoughts (also posted at Discussion Pool):

1. This e-mail was first circulated over two years ago. Its purpose was to have the appointment opposed. It is now moot and irrelevant. The deal is done.

2. Why is it circulating again? I don't know, but it reeks of sour grapes.

3. Regarding the treatment of stress-related disorders in women, Dr. Hager says, "I have always offered a holistic approach to therapy. I suggest diet/exercise changes, medications as needed, counseling when required, and meditation/prayer." (Source)

Why did the e-mail not mention the part about "diet/excercise changes, medications as needed, and counseling when required"?

4. Dr. Hager is apparently a very competent and respected physician: "a part-time professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University Kentucky College of Medicine and a well-known specialist on gynecologic infections."

5. Do you believe that someone who is pro-life should be excluded from service? Or, alternatively, that committee members should only be pro-abortion?

6. Do you believe that Christians should be excluded from service? Or, alternatively, that the committee should only include atheists or members of another religion? Which one?

7. The committee has eleven members. Do you believe his voice deserves to be heard? Alternatively, do you believe the committee should be nothing more than a "rubber stamp" outfit made up of eleven like-minded individuals? Where is the balance in that?

8. Dr. Hager has been a committee member since December of 2002. Is there any evidence he has a poor service record? Is there any evidence that he has not served objectively?

The Chairman of the committee is:

Linda C. Giudice, M.D., Ph.D.
Chief, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Stanford University Medical Center
Room HH333
Stanford, California 94305

Would it be prudent to write to her before spreading attacks on Dr. Hager's fitness and service record on the committee?

The most objectionable thing about this e-mail is its own incendiary nature. A large number of Americans share Dr. Hager's personal beliefs. Should those Americans start sending out alarming e-mails about the remaining committee members?

Thank you Georgia and Coldfuse for clearing that up. It's also good to hear both sides of the story.