Who hyped Gardisil?

Posted by Lance Gravlee on September 4, 2008 
Filed Under In the news

One of the goals of this course is to help you think critically about how you know what you think you know about human sexuality. Among other things, this goal means learning to think critically about how the media covers news related to sexuality. That issue is the focus of a recent post on the New York Times Well blog, in which Tara Parker-Pope considers the media’s role in hyping Gardasil as “the only cervical cancer vaccine.”

Parker-Pope points out that, lately, the media has questioned Gardasil’s efficacy and the way it was marketed. But a new report from a branch of the conservative Media Research Center suggests that media observers weren’t always so critical. On the contrary, the report argues that the news media, not just the drug’s manufacturer, helped to stir the hype over Gardasil.

Read the full report and leave a comment to share your thoughts. What role and responsibilities do the media and pharmaceutical industry have in disseminating information about sexuality?

Comments

6 Responses to “Who hyped Gardisil?”

  1. Emily on September 4th, 2008 6:35 pm

    I hope it works. I took it with my immunizations before coming here, and I’ve got to go back in a few months and get shot again.

  2. Danielle on September 4th, 2008 8:28 pm

    Gardisil, although effective at preventing certain kinds of cervical cancer does not prevent many strains of HPV. In fact, it is not used to prevent the most common/dangerous strains. I have 2 gynecologists in my family, and they both agree that there are better ways to prevent HPV infection (condoms,and other safer sex practices)

  3. Jennifer on September 4th, 2008 8:30 pm

    I’ve had all three of the shots already and they hurt! I’ve only ever had one partner so I wasn’t all that concerned with HPV or cervical cancer, but my mom’s a nurse and pretty much demanded that I get them all. I guess it’s a good/safe idea. I don’t really have a problem with them whether they work or not.

  4. Stephanie on September 4th, 2008 8:46 pm

    I feel one should really take caution when taking vaccines of any sort. Today’s world is all about taking “this and that”, but I don’t think anyone stops and thinks why they are taking all these shots. The government just says you need to take a certain amount of shots at a certain age and we all listen—> but rarely ever does one stop and think why and do research on their effects. Some effects of vaccines could be the virus changing and becoming a stronger virus or the vaccine could give you a worst side effect. One thing important about the vaccine in concern, gardisil, is that it’s a new vaccine and we don’t know all the side effects that could arise.

  5. Candice on September 9th, 2008 10:59 pm

    I think the shot is a plus. Just one of the many items out there that can be used to help prevent infections and STIs, but at the same time it shouldn’t be used in place of a condom and safe sex practices. Also, along with those practices, sexually active people should practice monomogous relationships and 1st things 1st, always get tested with each new partner.

  6. Kayla Pritchard on September 15th, 2008 1:44 pm

    While I do agree that some vaccines can have harmful effects, like the spectulation about early child vaccines leading to autism, I do support vaccination. The fact that they can evolve doesn’t mean they are worthless; we are evolving more and more everyday as well. The ability to prevent this type of cancer is a great opportunity. Even if you’re not having sex, like I wasn’t when I first got it, its good to have a little ensurance policy.

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