We've all had a good time (see photo below) pillorying Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) for his ill-advised use of the adjective 'legitimate' to describe abortion. I personally found his views on abortion abhorrent but unsurprising because he's a conservative, evangelical Christian Republican.
But, as a scientist, what I really found pathetic and frightening was his understanding of how the female reproductive system works - his belief that the system could shut down to prevent contraception:
"It seems to me, first of all, from what I understand from doctors, that's really rare. If it's a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down."
I wonder which doctors Akin has been consulting. Maybe Romneycare will fix that.
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said that a woman who is raped
"...has no control over ovulation, fertilization or implantation of a fertilized egg. ... To suggest otherwise contradicts basic biological truths."
What frightens me is Akin's apparent lack of scientific understanding. Wonder if he believes in evolution? How about plate tectonics? And the age of Earth is....? How AIDS is transmitted? I shudder to think what Akin's opinions on climate change and global warming are.
I suspect his knowledge of basic science, math, and technology is pitiful.
Fact is, Akin is no different from a lot of Americans, and to boot, he's in a position of power - a member of the House of Representatives. I can imagine that he shines among many of his colleagues.
And you know, I didn't hear many of critics decrying his poor knowledge of biology. Either they didn't know Akin was wrong, or else they didn't want to appear 'too smart'.
Not a good omen for the USA.
And here is the surprise: Akin is an engineer who is on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and a member of a number of caucuses involving disease and health.
''If it's inevitable, just relax and enjoy it.'' - Clayton Williams, Republican candidate for governor of Texas, 1990, referring to rape
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