in this issue:
abortion: SATISFACTION RATES
birth control pill: TREATMENT FOR PMS?
bush watch: FRANZ LEICHTER
in vitro fertilization: FATE OF ‘EXTRA’ EMBRYOS, INTERCESSORY PRAYER
male contraceptive: SPERM-DISABLING DRUGS
morning-after abortion pills: CONDOM USERS, PHILIPPINES
population control: PACKARD FOUNDATION
pregnancy: FETAL DEATH; UNBORN CHILD
ru-486 (mifepristone): CHINA
stem cells: EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH: ETHICAL SOURCES
web news: GOD’S PLAN FOR LIFE, VITAE SOCIETY
zinger: PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM TERRORISM?
reflection for prayer: ST. AUGUSTINE
abortion
SATISFACTION RATES: Researchers studied 304 women who participated in a clinical trial for medical abortion, 186 of whom received a methotrexate-induced abortion and 118 who could have used it but opted for the surgical abortion. The women were nearly equally satisfied with the abortion they chose and chose a particular type of abortion based on “different values and life circumstances” the women had.
(Reading: “Choice of and satisfaction with methods of medical and surgical abortion among U.S. clinic patients,” Family Planning Perspectives, 9-10/01, pp. 212-26)
birth control pill
TREATMENT FOR PMS? Researchers studied published trials involving more than 900 women with severe symptoms diagnosed as premenstrual syndrome. The use of progesterone is based on “the unsubstantiated premise that progesterone deficiency is the cause.” They conclude: “The evidence from these meta-analyses does not support the use of progesterone or progestogens in the management of premenstrual syndrome.”
(Reading: “Efficacy of progesterone and progestogens in management of premenstrual syndrome: systematic review,” British Medical Journal, 10/01, p. 776, search by author or title)
bush watch
FRANZ LEICHTER: (See Communique, 10/26/01) Please note that President Bush is RE-nominating pro-abortion Leichter, a man who currently serves on the Federal Housing Board. Leichter was appointed to that positin in 1999 by Bill Clinton. Protest e-mail should go to “>President Bush.
in vitro fertilization
FATE OF “EXTRA” EMBRYOS: A new study suggests that 71% of couples who once thought they knew what the fate of their “extra” embryonic children should be will change their minds. Conducted at Northwestern University, the study involved 91 couples who had remaining frozen embryos and had completed IVF three years or more prior to the study. “Thirty-two percent wanted to dispose of the embryos and 13% wanted to donate them to an infertile couple. Another 10% wanted to donate the embryos to research…” Based on the results, “only ten percent of IVF couples will want to donate their embryos.”
(Reading: “Thoughts on frozen embryos’ fate change post-IVF,” Reuters Health, 10/23/01)
INTERCESSORY PRAYER: A study involving 219 women treated for infertility by employing in vitro fertilization technology found that those women receiving intercessory prayer experienced a 50% pregnancy rate. The overall pregnancy rate for the same program for the year prior to the study was 32.8%.
COMMENT: Regardless of the results, such practices remain morally illicit.
(Reading: “Does prayer influence the success of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer?” Journal of Reproductive Medicine, 9/01)
male contraceptive
SPERM-DISABLING DRUGS: Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute have discovered an ion channel that appears only in the tail of a sperm. If further research leads where the scientists predict it will, there could be a pill “that could block the sperm channel and disable sperm.”
(Reading: “Non-hormonal male contraceptive on the horizon?” The Lancet, 10/13/01, p. 1244; also see background on lead researcher David E. Clapham)
morning-after abortion pills
CONDOM USERS: In a study in Pune, India, 411 condom users were provided with information about emergency contraception along with three “courses of therapy.” Researchers determined that multiple doses of the pills do not tempt condom users to risk unprotected intercourse. The study was funded by the Packard Foundation (see population control below).
(Reading: “Emergency contraception: randomized comparison of advance provision and information only,” Obstetrics and Gynecology, 10/01, pp. 570-575, subscribers only)
PHILIPPINES: The Bureau of Food and Drugs in the Philippines has determined, in an official document dated October 10, 2001, that the morning-after pill regimen known as Postinor 2 should not be dispensed, sold or distributed in the Philippines. The document includes comments from experts such as Professor Dianne Irving, Chris Kahlenborn, M.D., John Wilks, B.Pharm. and Bogomir Kuhar, Pharm. D., founder of Pharmacists for Life International. This recommendation now awaits final approval by the Philippines’ health secretary, Manuel M. Dayrit, M.D., M.S.C. Please encourage “>Secretary Dayrit to approve this document. To review the October 10 document, and learn more about the pro-life battle in the Philippines, contact “>Jo M. Imbong.
population control
PACKARD FOUNDATION: The Packard Foundation donated $21 million in the third quarter, 2001, for purposes of promoting “family planning.” Among grant recipients, NARAL received $7.5 million and Population Services International received $1.5.
(Reading: “Packard foundation pledged $3 million for advancement of population leaders abroad,” Packard Foundation news release, 10/22/01)
pregnancy
FETAL DEATH: The “systematic exclusion” of fetal/neonatal death statistics from U.S. surveillance reports has “led to a lack of understanding about frequency, causes and prevention” of such deaths. A study indicates that automobile crashes resulting in maternal trauma are the leading cause of fetal death. Tracking such instances of these deaths could assist in efforts to prevent fetal death in the future.
(Reading: “Fetal deaths related to maternal injury,” Journal of the American Medical Association, 10/17/01)
UNBORN CHILD: A medical journal has focused on the expectant mother and her child as equals by using the term “unborn child” in the headline accompanying a study on high blood pressure during pregnancy.
(Reading: “Consider both the unborn child and the mother when treating hypertension in pregnancy,” Drug and Therapy Perspective, 9/10/01)
ru-486 (mifepristone)
CHINA: In a surprising move, Chinese health officials have withdrawn RU-486 from the market due to serious health concerns. Nearly one year ago media reports indicated that the FDA was downplaying concerns raised by Americans regarding the very health issues that have now resulted in the Chinese move.
(Reading: “China bans abortion pill,” CNS News, 10/22/01; “FDA criticized for playing politics, downplaying risk of RU-486,” CNS News, 12/1/00)
stem cells
EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH: In a concise letter to the American Medical News, Dr. Javier G. Toboada of New Jersey writes that “the new embryo is a distinct and separate living entity with the potentiality of becoming a full human being. [ed: The embryonic human being IS a full human being at conception/fertilization.] Physicians have the moral duty to protect life no matter how small or weak. The same reasoning can be applied to the rights of the elderly, senile or mentally retarded. Embryonic stem cell research is offensive, not only to the morals but to the intelligence of many physicians.”
ETHICAL SOURCES: Praising the value of adult stem cells, a recent report states, “Recent animal studies emerging from academic labs have underscored the major take- home lesson about adult stem cells in the past year or so: these cells are much more biologically versatile, and capable of adopting many more cellular fates, than anyone previously thought.”
(Reading: “Adult stem cells,” Technology Review, 11/01)
web news
GOD’S PLAN FOR LIFE: An excellent web site described as teaching the visitor why “the culture of death will not be defeated until there is repentance from contraception.”
VITAE SOCIETY: Missouri group targets ads toward women who are considering the aborting of their children.
zinger
PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM TERRORISM? Sen. Hillary Clinton and others have introduced S.1539, allegedly designed to protect America’s youth from terrorism. The bill calls for a National Task Force to be established, including child health experts. Recalling the Clinton health care proposals of the early 1990’s, caution is necessary, particularly when analyzing sections of the bill dealing with family life, mental health services and other aspects requiring federal involvement and control. For a copy of the bill, see Library of Congress and search by bill number.
COMMENT: Senate sponsors Clinton, Dodd, Murray, Mikulski, Schumer, Bingaman and Corzine support acts of terror, also known as abortion, that take the lives of children in utero. Odd?
reflection for prayer
ST. AUGUSTINE, TO PROBA: If something happens that we did not pray for, we must have no doubt at all that what God wants is more expedient than what we wanted ourselves. Our great Mediator gave us an example of this. After he had said: “Father, if it is possible, let this cup be taken away from me,” he immediately added, “Yet not what I will, but what you will, Father,” so transforming the human will that was his through his taking a human nature. As a consequence, and rightly so, through the obedience of one man the many are made righteous.”