DEVELOPMENT REPORT - Study Links Custom of Female Cutting to

DEVELOPMENT REPORT - Study Links Custom of Female Cutting to Infertility¹
By Jill Moss²

Broadcast: Monday, August 29, 2005

I'm Bob Doughty³ with the VOA Special English Development Report.

New research suggests that the custom in parts of Africa and Asia to cut the sex organs of girls can cause infertility. The study shows that girls who are cut have an increased risk that they will not be able to get pregnant later in life. Researchers believe this is the result of infections that spread to the reproductive organs.

 
 
The findings are published in the Lancet. Doctor Lars Almroth of the Karolinska Institute in Sweden led the study. It involved ninety-nine infertile⁴ women in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. The researchers made sure the infertility was not because of age, sexual diseases, a past medical operation or an infertile husband.

They say the women were five to six times more likely to have had the most severe form of cutting than women in another group. The study also included one hundred eighty women who were pregnant for the first time.

The researchers linked the risk of infertility to the extent of the cutting. They say the findings should not be used as an argument to support less extensive forms, even if done by a doctor. They say any damage could lead to changes that harm reproductive health.

Infections are not the only risk. Bleeding can lead to shock and death.

The World Health Organization estimates that more than one hundred thirty million females have experienced some form of cutting. Part or all of the genitals are removed. It is done in more than thirty countries. The most severe forms are found most often in northeastern Africa.

The United Nations Children's Fund has called for an end to female genital mutilation by two thousand ten. Each year, an estimated two million girls reach the age where it might be done.

The age differs from culture to culture. It is usually between four and twelve. The reasons for this tradition also differ, but generally it is seen as a way to make a girl a better wife and mother in the future. Yet the new study shows that it could, in fact, make her infertile.

The Lancet also published a commentary by Layla Shaaban and Sarah Harbison of the United States Agency for International Development. They say there has been a slow reduction in cutting in a number of countries. They say the new study could provide a powerful, additional argument to end this ancient custom.

This VOA Special English Development Report was written by Jill Moss.  I'm Bob Doughty.

1 infertility   

n.不肥沃，不毛；不育

参考例句：

• It is the Geneva, Switzerland-based Biotech Company's second recombinant infertility drug. 它是瑞士生物技术公司在日内瓦的公司生产的第二种重组治疗不孕症的药。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术制药疫苗
• Endometritis is a cause of infertility. 子宫内膜炎是不育的原子。 来自辞典例句

2 moss   

n.苔，藓，地衣

参考例句：

• Moss grows on a rock.苔藓生在石头上。
• He was found asleep on a pillow of leaves and moss.有人看见他枕着树叶和苔藓睡着了。

3 doughty   

adj.勇猛的，坚强的

参考例句：

• Most of successful men have the characteristics of contumacy and doughty.绝大多数成功人士都有共同的特质：脾气倔强，性格刚强。
• The doughty old man battled his illness with fierce determination.坚强的老人用巨大毅力与疾病作斗争。

4 infertile   

adj.不孕的；不肥沃的，贫瘠的

参考例句：

• Plants can't grow well in the infertile land.在贫瘠的土地上庄稼长不好。
• Nobody is willing to till this infertile land.这块薄田没有人愿意耕种。