U.S. recommends maintaining ban on silicone breast implants

A U.S. government ban on silicone-gel breast implants should remain in place, health advisors decided Tuesday.

In a 5-4 vote, the Food and Drug Administration panel concluded the latest brands are not safe enough to be widely marketed.

• FROM APRIL 11, 2005: U.S. takes new look at silicone breast implants

Rather, they questioned how durable the implants are and sought answers to what would happen if they break.

Panelists acknowledged the implants aren't expected to last a lifetime, but said they need more proof the silicone implants will last at least a decade.

In Canada, the government asked for a voluntary moratorium on the sale of silicone implants, but about 15 per cent of women receiving implants still ask for and receive the silicone type.