CONTROL OF FERTILITY

The population explosion and the frightening magnitude and complexity of the problems it is creating continue to be of worldwide concern. Fortunately, Mark Twain's cynical remark about the weather does not apply in this situation, for something is being done about finding acceptable ways to control the rate of human reproduction, and with considerable success. Within little more than a decade, the first oral contraceptive for the control of fertility through inhibition of ovulation was introduced, and, even more recently, various intrauterine devices (IUDs) for the prevention of pregnancy have been devised. Although the oral contraceptives are considerably more effective than the IUDs, the latter devices are more useful in some situations. Both types of conception control are evaluated in this issue of The Journal in statements by the AMA Committee on Human Reproduction (p 647) on the current status of the IUDs and by the AMA Council on Drugs