Professor Ikemoto Publishes Commentary in Science Progress
Professor Lisa Ikemoto published "Scientific Integrity Makes a Comeback," a commentary on a recent federal court ruling on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) policies regarding the Plan B contraceptive, in Science Progress, a blog hosted by the Center for American Progress.
Professor Ikemoto wrote that there were "two reasons to celebrate" the court decision, which found FDA restrictions prohibiting access to Plan B to women under the age of 18 "arbitrary and capricious." First, "the decision is a victory for women's health and liberty" in that it allows access to a safe and effective contraceptive. In addition, it draws attention to the extent to which the FDA violated its own standards in succumbing to political pressure from the Bush administration and "is perfectly timed to highlight" actions taken by the Obama administration to restore scientific integrity in federal departments and agencies. At the same time, Professor Ikemoto writes, the decision should "raise a red flag" for the Obama administration, in that it finds that one of the key figures in imposing the age restriction for Plan B was Steven Galson, currently acting Surgeon General and acting Assistant Secretary for Health.
Lisa Ikemoto teaches bioethics and health law courses at the UC Davis School of Law. She has written extensively on genetic and reproductive technology, the regulation of fertility and pregnancy, and race and gender disparities in health care. Her current work examines emerging issues in regenerative medicine, including stem cell research, and the human tissues market.