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From: dyer@vaxuum.DEC (No Strings Attached)
Newsgroups: net.women,net.med
Subject: Re: IUDs & the Dalkon Shield
Message-ID: <395@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 30-Jan-85 16:06:31 EST
Article-I.D.: decwrl.395
Posted: Wed Jan 30 16:06:31 1985
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Re: IUDs & the Dalkon Shield___________________________________________________

	The Dalkon Shield, like other IUDs, has a string attached from it so
that its owner can check its placement in the uterus.  Its string, however, is
a number of strands wrapped together.  This works like a wick, drawing infec-
tion into the uterus.

	As for their motives, your guess is as good as mine.  The manufacturer
(A.H. Robins) discovered these infection problems when they tested the product;
but they marketed it anyways!  Perhaps they had a huge investment in research
for it.  I don't know.
	It was very heavily promoted, and sold well in this country.  It was
later withdrawn from the market because of its dangers.  Many women have had
irreparable damage done to their reproductive systems and a number were killed!
	Having lost the American market, Robins decided to cut their losses and
sell the Dalkon Shield in the third world.  Again, heavy promotion has led to
its popularity.  And to more suffering.

	It's not uncommon for manufacturers to find overseas markets (usually
in the third world) for products banned in this country.  DDT is still being
made here and sold abroad.  Those Tris-coated pajamas are, too.
	Not only do they sell the leftovers that they have on hand, they keep
manufacturing more!  Probably because they have an investment in the system
that produces these things.

	I think it's terrible.  For those of you with a "that's their problem"
attitude, remember this:  DDT shipped out to a third-world country can come
back from the third world in your bananas or your coffee.
		<_Jym_>

:::::::::::::::: Jym Dyer
::::'  ::  `:::: Dracut, Massachusetts
::'    ::    `::
::     ::     :: DYER%VAXUUM.DEC@DECWRL.ARPA
::   .::::.   :: {allegra|decvax|ihnp4|ucbvax}!decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-vaxuum!dyer
::..:' :: `:..::
::::.  ::  .:::: Statements made in this article are my own; they might not
:::::::::::::::: reflect the views of |d|i|g|i|t|a|l| Equipment Corporation.