Margaret P. Battin

In the following viewpoint, Margaret P. Battin argues that placing adolescent girls on long-term contraceptive devices would avert all unintentional teenage pregnancies. One such device is Norplant, a contraceptive that is surgically placed in the arm and protects against pregnancy for up to five years. The use of Nor- plant or other long-term contraceptive devices, Battin contends, would effectively immunize girls against pregnancy until they made the choice to have children. Battin is a professor of medical ethics at the University of Utah School of Medicine.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. In Battin’s opinion, what is the present approach to the problem of teenage pregnancy"

2. How is the use of long-term contraception similar to an immunization against disease, in the author’s opinion"

3. According to the author...