My Argument and Counterargument

               After taking a careful look at the recent articles and other facts surrounding the Human-Papillomavirus controversy in Texas, it becomes very clear that Governor Rick Perry and the company that produces Gardasil, Merck, share a close relationship. Governor Perry’s questionable behavior has led many Texas women, especially mothers, to question the true reasoning behind his legislation. Even though he states to be “looking out for young woman”, his actions show other wise. In his past election “the governor accepted a total of $6,000 from Merck” to aid his re-election campaign. (Yahoo! News,) This has led many government officials, as well as mothers to question Perry’s true intentions; was the legislation passed so he could receive money for his campaign or is he really trying to help reduce the number of deaths due to cervical cancer in Texas? It should also be taking into consideration that by making this legislation mandatory, both Merck and Perry would be making money. As of right now, no one can really tell Governor Rick Perry’s true intentions. Given that there are little facts proving he was against receiving money, he comes off being as a politician only interested in making money for his future campaign.
            According to a study done by researchers at, The Center for Disease Control and Prevention, “HPV infection is more common than previously thought, particularly among younger age groups.” (HPV Infections Seen). This fact helps support that HPV is a very serious threat that is quickly growing in our nation. In June 2006, the “Food and Drug Administration approved the used of Gardasil in preventing certain types of cervical cancer.” (HPV Infections Seen). Unlike Rick Perry, the researchers at both the CDC and FDA have spent many years studying both the positive and negative outcomes of HPV and Gardasil. As of right now, Gardasil is said to help prevent “more than 70 percent of cervical cancer cases and 90 percent of genital warts cases.” (HPV Infections Seen). Even though Gardasil does not prevent from all types of both High and Low Risk HPV, it dramatically decreasing the numbers of the four most common types.