Stanford Statement on Papal Birth Control Encyclical, 1968-1969

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Summary

Creators:
Stanford University
Abstract:
Petition sponsored by several Stanford scientists and signed by more than 2,600 men and women scientists from the United States, Canada, Australia and Africa, denouncing the encyclical Humanae Vitae of Pope Paul VI prohibiting birth control. Also includes correspondence of Paul Ehrlich, 1969, clippings, 1968-69, and transcript of CBS radio show ?The Pope and the Pill? August 1968.
Extent:
0.5 Linear Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[identification of item] Stanford Statement on Papal Birth Control Encyclical (SC0056). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Scope and content:

Petition sponsored by several Stanford scientists and signed by more than 2,600 men and women scientists from the United States, Canada, Australia and Africa, denouncing the encyclical Humanae Vitae of Pope Paul VI prohibiting birth control. Also includes correspondence of Paul Ehrlich, 1969, clippings, 1968-69, and transcript of CBS radio show ?The Pope and the Pill? August 1968.

Biographical / historical:

There were concerns among some scientists that Humanae Vitae might worsen the issue of overpopulation. In the months following the issuance of Humanae Vitae, three prominent biologists, namely Jeffrey Baker, Ernst Mayer, and Paul Ehrlich, collaborated to draft a concise 417-word letter titled "Scientists' Statement on Birth Control Encyclical." Their objective was to gather an extensive and unequivocal expression of scientific opposition to it. Baker, Mayer, and Ehrlich distributed packets by mail containing their statement, a cover letter outlining their purpose, and signature sheets with fields for name, department, and institution. Recipients were encouraged to share these packets with interested colleagues and return signed sheets by December 20 to Jeffrey Baker at the University of Puerto Rico. On December 30, 1968, Ehrlich, Mayer, and Baker officially released their statement to the press. To enhance visibility, they authored articles in both the New Scientist and BioScience. Due to the articles and the natural delays in postal communication, signatures continued to arrive, necessitating an extended deadline.

Acquisition information:
Gift of John Thomas, 1969, 1995.
Physical location:
Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 48 hours in advance. For more information on paging collections, see the department's website: https://library.stanford.edu/libraries/special-collections.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Materials are open for research use. Audio-visual materials are not available in original format and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.

Terms of access:

While University Archives is the owner of the physical and/or digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.

Preferred citation:

[identification of item] Stanford Statement on Papal Birth Control Encyclical (SC0056). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Location of this collection:
Stanford University Archives, Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford, CA 94305-6064, US
Contact:
(650) 725-1022
specialcollections@stanford.edu
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