The potentials for developing improved 

 contraceptive methods and for adapting existing methods 

 to diverse cultural needs are excellent, although the 

 lead time can be quite long. Approaches already in the 

 research and development stage and leads from past 

 reproductive research offer promise if additional 

 expertise and funding are applied. The United states, 

 with its considerable experience in both basic and 

 applied research in this field, is particularly well 

 suited to play a leading role. 



Although the need for improved contraceptive 

 methods to bolster family planning programs is 

 particularly acute in developing countries, many 

 Americans also need access to more effective methods. 

 Furthermore, there is growing medical concern atout the 

 potential health hazards of long-term reliance on oral 

 contraceptives by millions of young women in the United 

 States and other countries. Medical complications 

 secondary to the use of the IUD are also of concern. 

 For the most part, methods developed for mass use in 

 international family planning programs would also be 

 appropriate for use in the United states. 



Institutional Mechanisms 



A variety of mechanisms exist for the development, 

 adaptation, and transfer of science and technology in 

 contraceptive research and development fields , 

 including normal commercial channels, academia, and 

 bilateral, multilateral, and private programs of 

 support. Products developed within the private sector 

 are generally exported directly or licensed for local 

 manufacture abroad; they are rarely adopted 

 specifically for developing countries. Any change 

 would require a better understanding of the importance 

 of the needs and a reorientation of the interests and 

 priorities of government and private sector leaders. 

 Careful review of incentives and constraints, 

 particularly within the private sector, is needed. As 

 has been suggested in a generally parallel statement. 



Traditionally the transformation of a 

 promising laboratory finding into a practical 

 birth control method depends on a corporate 

 decision based on such product development 

 considerations as sales potential, 

 exclusivity, development cost and product 

 liability risks. Government funding can 

 assure that all feasible methods are evaluated 

 fully, whether or not their development 

 represents ideal corporate policy (Kegan 

 1978) . 



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