The Battle Over the Plan B Pill: College Admission Essay Sample

The long and tiring battle over the Plan B pregnancy pill has finally been ended by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the results are very positive. The FDA recently decided – against much opposition – to allow the over-the-counter sale of the Plan B contraceptive pill to women over the age of 17 years old. Even though I do not agree with the FDA in principle, this decision is important to me because it represents a victory for the people over the government’s control of consumer purchasing decisions.

I was very surprised when this decision was announced, but not when conservative voices attacked the FDA’s decision. The pro-life argument against the free sale of this drug is that the pill basically performs an abortion. Pro-life advocates believe that a baby is alive at conception, even though the FDA has repeatedly stated that the Plan B pill does not work if the fetus has already formed, invalidating the religious argument. Some conservatives agree with the pro-life stance on the issue, but an argument commonly shared by many conservatives is that simplifying purchase of the Plan B pill will encourage more casual sex. I personally do not agree with either of these arguments.

Both the pro-life advocates and the conservatives want the government to control people and their sex lives, which is not what our country needs. What right does the government have to regulate how frequently the public has sex? If the Plan B pill allows the people to have promiscuous sex with less risk, that is not the sign of a deprived society. Rather, it is the sign of a successful product that accomplished its goal, to reduce unwanted pregnancies. I also see this pill as a saving grace to those suffering from pregnancies induced by rape. If a woman wants to waive the pregnancy when it is in its extremely early stages of development, then she should have the undisputed right to do so.

As stated earlier, I am relatively pleased with the FDA’s decision on this matter. Save the age limit, the only problem I have with the ruling lies in the fact that the FDA exists. I strongly believe that the government should stay out of many areas of the people’s lives, mainly the economy. In many ways, however, this issue is a double-edged sword. While I agree with the newfound ability to purchase the Plan B contraceptive pill, I do not agree with the FDA’s existence. The government should not be able to tell me what I can or cannot buy, and I resent the fact that they are still holding back other products from the public. Although this bold proposal by the FDA has taken a step towards our deserved right to purchase whatever we may desire, the proposal does not quite go far enough. I also do not agree with the age limit that was place on the over-the-counter sale of this pill. To deny a paying consumer under the age of 17 this contraceptive pill is a violation of capitalism, which is defined as the free trade between private individuals of goods and services.

In conclusion, I am relatively pleased with the FDA’s step forward in the area of the public’s right to utilize the products that they wish to utilize. Even though I do not agree with the FDA in principle, this decision is important to me because it represents a victory for the people over the government’s control regarding what they consume or purchase.