Birth control

Birth control is the practice of preventing or reducing probability of pregnancy or ending an unwanted pregnancy. The term family planning is sometimes also used, especially when referring to the thoughtful and premeditated selection of a birth control technique.

When pregnancy is not desired, either at least one of the participants must be sterile, sexual intercourse must be avoided, or contraception must be used to prevent conception.

Contraception (even vasectomy) is not always 100 per cent effective. More generally, in sexual behavior contact of semen with the vagina should be avoided. For example, partners can restrict themselves to masturbation, oral sex, etc., but they should not forget to keep not only the penis but also the sperm away from the vagina. Abstinence is sometimes called the only 'sure' way to avoid pregnancy. If perfectly adhered to, it is. However, some who habitually rely on it as their primary protection may cease to abstain and thereby incur the risk of pregnancy.

Table of contents

1 History of birth control
2 Traditional birth control methods:
3 Modern birth control methods:
4 Religious and cultural attitudes to birth control

History of birth control

to be filled in

Traditional birth control methods:

celibacy, or sexual abstinence (these may be more properly called alternatives to birth control)
non-procreative sex, such as
- sex without penetration ("outercourse")
- anal sex or oral sex
coitus interruptus
the rhythm method

Modern birth control methods:

Barrier methods
Chemical methods
- oral contraceptives ("The Pill")
- Other chemical contraceptives (implants, male pill, depo-provera).
- spermicides
- morning-after pill
Other methods
- herbal contraception
- Intrauterine Device
- Natural family planning
- surgical sterilization, including vasectomy for men and tubal ligation for women
- chemical or surgical abortion (not considered by some to be birth control, since pregnancy occurs)

Condoms and herbal birth control methods existed before the modern era. The herbal methods were of various effectiveness, and were available in China and Europe.

Religious and cultural attitudes to birth control

The official position of the Catholic Church regarding birth control is expressed very clearly in Pope Pius XI's encyclical entitled Casti Connubii. It was written in response to the Episcopalian approval of artificial means of contraception when used in cases of grave necessity.

Since, therefore, openly departing from the uninterrupted Christian tradition some recently have judged it possible solemnly to declare another doctrine regarding this question, the Catholic Church, ... in order that she may preserve the chastity of the nuptial union from being defiled by this foul stain, ... proclaims anew: any use whatsoever of matrimony exercised in such a way that the act is deliberately frustrated in its natural power to generate life is an offense against the law of God and of nature, and those who indulge in such are branded with the guilt of a grave sin.

In 1968 Pope Paul VI released a document called Humanae Vitae, which again forbade chemical and barrier methods but suggested natural methods such as the rhythm method or natural family planning might be considered in cases of necessity. The public response to this suggestion was immediate and overwhelming. There is dissent however. Some priests and theologians accept only abstinence as moral and there are also those who assert abstinence within a marriage can be immoral.

Couples seeking marriage in the Catholic Church are required to undergo counseling by a Catholic priest. In the past priests led couples seeking to delay children to rhythm, today they are instructed to point new couples toward the more effective natural family planning.

In the News

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region Division: Safety Program
Collection of documents on occupational safety and health topics related to U.S. workers in Iraq. Fact sheets cover equipment safety, building safety inspections, heat stress, and related topics. Also provides forms for workers compensation and accident reporting. Some material in Arabic. From the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

New Proteomics Research Promises To Revolutionize Biomedical Discovery
Human cells function through the concerted action of thousands of proteins that control their growth and differentiation. Yet, the specific function of most human proteins remains either unknown or poorly characterized. Diseases being often due to aberrations in the function of key cellular proteins, numerous large-scale research initiatives have been launched internationally to crack the function of all human proteins. In a new article scientists describes a powerful proteomics approach that promises to have a profound impact on our current understanding of the human proteome, and the function of its individual proteins.

The Games of La Francophonie
Background about this "international cultural and sporting event in which athletes and artists from States and Governments members of La Francophonie participate. ... They are the only major international Games where sports and cultural activities are presented in a comparable competitive context."Includes overviews of the competitions (such as judo, soccer, storytelling, and dance) at past events, which have been held in Morocco, France, Madagascar, Canada, and Niger. In English and French. From Canadian Heritage.

Intute Spotlight for February
The latest physical science news from David Bradley can also be found on the intute portal under the Spotlight. This month:Shedding light on a molecular lockLogic at the molecular scale has been exploited to build a keypad lock that “opens” only when the correct sequence of inputs is applied. Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of [...]

Physicists Find Way To 'See' Extra Dimensions
Peering backward in time to an instant after the big bang, physicists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have devised an approach that may help unlock the hidden shapes of alternate dimensions of the universe

Bush to Seek Gas Relief
The president will ask Americans to cut their fuel consumption by 20 percent during the next 10 years. Maybe this time he'll mean what he says. In Autopia.

New Gene Identified For Condition That Causes Blood Clots In Brain
Researchers have identified a new gene linked to cerebral venous thrombosis, a condition that causes blood clots in the veins of the brain that can lead to stroke. The condition is more common in young and middle-aged women.

[Ironic] LONDON: A jailed cocaine dealer is working as Santa Claus on
John Tams, who dons beard, boots and red suit to work in a cafe's Christmas grotto, said he wanted to give something back to the community...

YaleGlobal Online
This site "is the flagship publication of the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization. The magazine explores the implications of the growing interconnectedness of the world."Articles are browsable by region or by subject area such as the environment, gender, politics, science and technology, security and terrorism, and trade. Also provides an introduction to the topic of globalization and links to related sites. Searchable.

Mother Goose Society
This group was "founded in 1987 to encourage a love for the warm tradition of Mother Goose rhymes and Mother Goose's comforting embrace and to promote the annual celebration of Mother Goose Day (May 1st)."The site features information about the real Mother Goose, tips for celebrating Mother Goose Day, rhymes and related recipes, costume ideas for portraying Mother Goose, and links to related sites. From an author of a book about Mother Goose.

MP3 Music Downloads

Preview songs, Download Free Music,Burn CDs at ITunes.com