MedInstitute=Propaganda Machine masquerading as science?

[Ms. Toad]

I am looking for objective information (preferably from mainstream sources) to encourage my school district to oust the abstinence program they just started.

Abstinence a Better Choice (ABC), is teaching a middle school health class using information provided by MedInstitute (formerly Medical Institute for Sexual Health). No one in the school knows anything about them - they sent a flyer to the school and got invited by the health teacher to teach a 4 day class. No curriculum, no parental input, nothing. I have since found out a little, but not enough to make a solid case to dump them at this late date.

Aside from the misguided idea that you can teach middle school students how to make good choices by telling them that the only good choice is abstinence, and then scaring them to death, the material I have gotten my hands on is a factual nightmare (put together by MedInstitute, whose founder Dr. McIlhaney who was reprimanded by the Texas Commissioner of Health for presenting misleading and inaccurate information about condom use).

All of the links Google finds to the ABC site, other than internal links, are from conservative Christian sites. Haven't done the link search on MedInstitute yet. Also found a SIECUS site about McIlhaney and his own abstinence course.

When I asked Cheryl Biddle, head of ABC, about the sexuality portion of the class, I was told that a homosexuality discussion would not be initiated by the teacher - but that if a student brought it up s/he would be told that homosexual behavior is high risk behavior (and a bad choice). Just what a middle school struggling with his or her sexuality needs to hear (and what my daughter needs to hear about her parents, and her slew of "aunts" and "uncles" in the GLBT community).

If anyone has any good links that I can forward to the principal, and the director of curriculum I would appreciate it. I am looking for funding streams, point by point refutation of their propaganda, etc. I am on a short timeline (I learned about the class last night, and it starts Monday), so I would appreciate any help anyone can give me.

[BattyDem]

1. RW Propaganda

From Planned Parenthood
Check out page 8

http://www.ppslr.org/Public_affairs/WaronWomenChronology.pdf


The head of the organization opposes condom use and spreads false info about their effectiveness. 'Nuff said. Anyone who gives out false info about anything related to sex should not be teaching kids. JMHO


On edit: The report mentions MedInstitute, not ABC. I should have been more clear on that. Anyway, it doesn't really matter since ABC is getting their info from MedInstitute.

[Ms. Toad]

3. Thanks

I haven't been able to find anyone who has actually been through one of the ABC programs, even though it advertises itself as a national program and seems to have a full local schedule.

I've already decided I don't want my school to have anything to do with either entity - unfortunately, it's probably too late for this year.

[Arianrhod]

2. Another point that may not be as effective, but is relevant

One of the books Dr McIlhaney wrote is a Bible-based health guide:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0800717686/qid=1080973675/sr=1-9/ref=sr_1_9/102-1614907-8491340?v=glance&s=books

What the Bible Says About Healthy Living: Three Biblical Principles That Will Change Your Diet and Improve Your Health
by Rex, Md. Russell, Joe S., Jr. McIlhaney

Interesting that he isn't listed as an "MD" for this.

One must question how much of his advocacy is due to his religion, rather than his professional expertise.

And just as a matter of record, he is also a member of the * administration: "In December 2001 Dr. McIlhaney was appointed to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, and he is currently serving as an active participant." http://www.medinstitute.org/about/index.htm

[Ms. Toad]

4. Since his professional expertise is almost nil from anything I've seen...

Mostly religion.

W/re ABC, the permission slip for my daughter to opt out screamed religion, and Ms. Biddle makes no bones about the Christian basis for her program (but she tries to keep religion out of the classes when she is teaching in a secular setting).

[Widgetsfriend]

5. Ms. Toad...

There are some sites that are following this abstinence only stuff and its links to the Rev Sun Myung Moon. You should check out John Gorenfeld's site as he stays on top of Moon. You might find some links to your program there. Here's a link to him: http://www.gorenfeld.net/blog/

I know that Moon's abstinence only program was given $500,000 from Bush's faith-based initiative. Not sure of program's name, though. IF your program is tied to Moon, you could really make a stink. Moon is a convicted felon and believes himself to be the Messiah. He has ties to North Korea and most of the Republicans in the Bush administration. If I find anything to help you out, I'll post it here.

[Ms. Toad]

6. Getting close!

I have an indirect link - the Moonie abstinence group (Free Teens)links to the MedInstitute site. I'll check out the MedInstitute board list later to see if I can find any Moonie members (no overlap with the identified Moonies on the Free Teens.

Thanks!