Help for teachers
Dear PRI,
I read about the Population Research Institute in October 1994, and I wonder if you would be able to help me.
I teach argumentative writing in English to college-level Polish students who are preparing to be teachers of the English language in the Polish school system. In my classes the students have to write well-researched, fair arguments on topics of their choice as well as arguments on topics which I set for them.
One topic I have considered assigning has been the issue of overpopulation. Unfortunately, all of my sources are on one side: the popular notion that the world has too many people. This is a view that my students take completely for granted, of course. I would like to be able to provide them with information on both sides of the issue so that they can see that it is not an open-and-shut case.
I wonder if you have any fact sheets or flyers which summarize the overpopulation myth in a simple or straightforward way. I also assign my students to read essays on the topic under discussion. Would you have any essays which address the history of the notion that the world’s population is reaching dangerous levels? To what extent is this notion part of the generalized middle-class guilt which seems to pervade developed countries? Do you have any information which might shed light on why various special interest groups or political groups would have an interest in promoting the idea that the world’s population must be reduced? Has anyone written an argument concerning the morality of the overpopulationists’ agenda when it concerns limiting the numbers of the poor who reproduce?
My students have to consider alternative solutions to the problem rather than simply “proving” that one side or the other is right. Has anyone produced an alternative agenda for relief of the poor other than the reduction of their numbers?
Any information you could provide which would help me put together a packet of materials countering the overpopulation lobby would be most appreciated.
Yours,
Cornelia Fleischman
USA
Editors’ reply: We ore sending you our “Population Myth Packet,” which challenges the reigning overpopulation orthodoxy. We (humbly) recommend reading each issue of PRI Review completely. Sooner or later we cover all those questions.
Norplant strikes again!
Dear PRI,
I had Norplant inserted August 1992 after brain surgery that April. My neuro-oncologist and I researched the birth control methods and their effectiveness and found this one to be the safest.
I have been counseled not to have children due to possible damage [brain stem and spinal cord] to the growing fetus from my anticonvulsant therapy. Another concern of my physician would be my health due to seizures, after the medication was discontinued due to pregnancy.
I recently found out that I am 6 weeks pregnant. My Norplant was removed yesterday; three of the tubes had to be dug out.
My baby is now at risk due to the 6 weeks of Depakote therapy. This is a class D drug due to its effects on the fetus. I was taken off Depakote on Saturday and am still on Dilantin therapy. I guess my biggest question is, how many failures have you heard of? I am a registered nurse in a busy ER and have seen several myself. I take one day at a time, praying that my baby is okay.
Sincerely,
J. Bright
via the Internet
From time to time we receive letters and phone calls from women who have become pregnant white implanted. While we couldn’t say what percentage this represents, it seems clear that a significant number of women conceive while on Norplant.
