The groups that supplied this information to congress are "the usual suspects" and "fringe groups" known as the American Public Health Association, The Institute of Medicine, The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Psychological Association, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

 In opposition to this evidence is the Department of Health and Human Services under the Bush Administration which said they believe that these education programs teaching abstinence only "Send the healthiest message".  And now Sarah Palin has added her wisdom to the discussion by publicly campaigning for abstinence saying "It works if you abstain".  Duuuuh.

One in Four teenage girls has a sexually transmitted disease

30% of girls become pregnant before reaching the age of 20

We have no present dedicated source of federal funding for comprehensive sex education in the classroom

Duuuuhh!!

The Article
From a recent headline in the San Diego Union-Tribune

        I'm sorry, but this just has to go down as a complete "Duuuuhh!, but it was revealed to congress that teaching teenagers to abstain from sex has not reduced the number of pregnancies or STD's, nor has it delayed the age at which they start having sex - with each other.  The Bush Administration however has expressed continuing support for such programs even as Demo's called for cutting off federal support for such programs;

        "Vast sums of federal money, continue to be directed toward these programs" states the author, and there is actual living evidence to suggest that some of these programs are harmful and fail to provide any useful information in a timely way to provide assistance to teens that need the help, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

       The federal funding amounts to $1.3 Billion since the late 90's and there is no sign of any slowing until after the 2008 elections.  No one argues that abstinence is the best way to avoid pregnancy and STD's, but it should not and cannot be the only strategy taught to teens.