Contraceptive methods: potential for abuse

Contraceptive technologies are one of the most extraordinary advances of the twentieth century, enabling women and men to prevent unwanted pregnancy. They have also been criticized for giving rise to abusive practices in the name of population control. Some people have even argued that contraceptive methods which have a potential for abuse should not be developed. We maintain that eliminating research on such methods does not address the problem of abuse. Abuse has been defined as the violation of the right to liberty and security of the person, which requires that an individual's free and informed consent be given before research is done on, or treatment is provided to, that individual. A number of international guidelines on the ethical conduct of research involving human subjects, and on the provision of medical services, emphasise the importance of informed consent as part of informed decision-making of individuals. Irrespective of the contraceptive methods already available or under development, much public education is needed to ensure that investigators, health providers, users of services and research participants fully understand what informed consent means, what it implies and how it should protect people. Non-governmental organizations and others can use the various national and international mechanisms that exist to investigate cases of alleged abuse and to bring redress in such situations. The international community has a duty to foster and strengthen ethical practices in research and service provision of contraceptive methods.