I’ll try not to get too immature about this story (bouncebouncebounce), but I sincerely think it’s great. The FDA is allowing silicone gel implants in addition to the saline ones already available.

Libertarians and other individualists have long argued that (A) silicone gel breast implants are not unsafe; the arguments against them stem from the assumption that every woman with both cancer and implants got the cancer because of the implants and (B) even if there is a risk, women should be informed of it and allowed to make the choice themselves.

The FDA has finally bought the former argument.

John Lott weighs in here with the observation the story is terrible, “but it is the AP.” I second that.

The reporting is all bad, all the time:

“The rupture issue persists: The implants do not last a lifetime, and eventually they must be removed or replaced, according to the FDA. A 2000 Institute of Medicine report found rupture rates as high as 77 percent.

“Women whose silicone implants ruptured have reported years of pain, swelling, numbness and other symptoms that they blame on the devices. Leaked silicone gel can migrate throughout the body and form lumps. Implants also can cause infection and form hard, painful scar tissue that can distort the shape of a breast.

“Some researchers also worry that platinum used to manufacture the implants can seep into the body and cause harm. The FDA says there is no evidence of that.”

The story does concede high up, however, that “most studies have failed to find a link between silicone breast implants and disease.”

Aside — Reason has a great article here about the “feminist” case against implants. It’s called “Pro-choice no more.”

Robert VerBruggen blogs at http://robertsrationale.blogspot.com.