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Journalism of Courage
Scientists at the Central Drug Research Institute CDRI in Lucknow have developed a new composition that can lead to a major breakthrough in contraceptive drugs for women. At the heart of the composition are two new molecules which in preliminary studies have been found to be 25 times more powerful at killing sperm cells than the commonly available spermicides in the market, and also come without any side effects.
Spermicides are local contraceptives which are generally sold in the form of creams, gels or sprays. They kill the sperm cells, thereby preventing pregnancies.
An important ingredient in most spermicides is Nonoxynol-9, or N9. Apart from killing sperm cells, N9 has also been found to have a toxic effect on vaginal bacteria which help in fighting infections, thereby increasing the risk of the users contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
Now a team of scientists led by Dr Gopal Gupta at CDRI has come up with the new composition that is not only vastly more effective at killing sperms but is also less toxic.
8220;The preliminary results have been very promising,8221; said Dr Gupta. 8220;It might turn out to be a very effective drug.8221; The findings of the team have been reported in the current issue of the Oxford Journal.
