Reading Comprehension Questions:

1. What significant event occurred that could impact women's health?
   
   
   
   
2. When were silicone breast implants banned? Why?
   
   
   
   
3. What is the alternative to silicone implants? What do users of this alternative complain of?
   
   
   
   
4. What have studies since 1992 shown about the relation between silicone implants and disease? What do critics say about these results?
   
   
   
   
5. How popular has breast enlargement become? Provide statistics.

Discussion Activity (more research might be needed):

1. Should all women be allowed to have silicone breast implants? Why or why not? What restrictions or regulations, if any, would you recommend if you were the FDA?

2. Should patients be allowed to choose potentially dangerous procedures? Why or why not? Explain your answer.

3. Why do you think the number of breast augmentation procedures has increased so much from 1992 to 2002? What does this tell us about the culture we live in? Explain your reasoning.

Write a 300-500 word essay on any of these topics providing clear examples. Send your completed editorial to NewsHour Extra [extra@newshour.org]. Exceptional essays might be published on our Web site.