As the world's population increases in leaps and bounds, with a concomitant decrease in ability to feed this burgeoning population, the search for viable methods of birth control continues. At first glance, Depo-Provera, an injectable method of birth control, would seem to be a useful option for many women. Why then did it take twenty-five years for this drug to be approved for U.S. use by the food and Drug Administration, while its use was continued quite successfully in other parts of the world? This fascinating medical mystery, with political and sociological implications, is explored by Thomas J. Vecchio, M.D., F.A.C.P., in Birth Control by Injection: The Story of Depo-Provera.