This paper explores social, cultural, and political dimensions of quinacrine sterilization, a controversial chemical contraceptive procedure used primarily in developing nations. The technology uses a modified intrauterine device to inject quinacrine pellets into a woman’s uterus. Cheap and easily accessible, quinacrine has generated interest among population controllers and Third World governments. At the same time, its use has alarmed human rights advocates, feminists, and public health officials. This project critically examines the development and use of quinacrine and locates the procedure in a larger social and political context. Using frameworks of medical sociology, science and technology studies, and feminist cultural studies, this paper raises the following questions: What political factors have shaped the development and use of quinacrine as a contraceptive? Who are its proponents and opponents? How and why is it controversial? How is it connected to reproductive politics at local, national, and global levels? What claims (e.g., scientific, public health, political) are made about quinacrine? How is it represented culturally in the sites where it is used? What are implications for women’s health, public health, population control efforts, and international relations? Methods include content analysis, interviews, ethnography, and historical/archival research. While attention is given to the global dimensions of quinacrine, the specific case study of Vietnam is also addressed. Learning objectives include: an overview of clinical and social dimensions of quinacrine sterilization; contextualization of public health factors involved in quinacrine; and application of sociological methods and insights for making sense of this emergent global public health controversy.
Learning Objectives: Learning objectives include: an overview of clinical and social dimensions of quinacrine sterilization; contextualization of public health factors involved in quinacrine; and application of sociological methods and insights for making sense of this emergent global public health controversy.
Keywords: Contraception, International Reproductive Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.