abortion
BREAST CANCER and INFORMED CONSENT: For the latest in information on John Kindley’s false-advertising lawsuit against an abortion mill accused of passing out material with false information about the abortion-breast cancer link, visit his litigation page. For an overview of the efforts currently underway on this matter, visit Abortion Cancer (Joel Brind, Ph.D.) and Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer.
(Reading: “Abortion and Breast Cancer Link: What the Experts Say,” Karen Malec, President, Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer.)
STENBERG v. CARHART: American Medical News (AMN), quoting Simon Heller of the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy, reports that the most recent U.S. Supreme Court decision “means that virtually all the laws in the 30 states that have enacted similar laws are unconstitutional and unenforceable.” “And,” AMN reports, “the decision invalidates federal legislation to ban late-term abortion.”
COMMENT: How about rallying behind a true ban on all child killing by striving to achieve personhood for all human beings from conception/fertilization? That is the answer.
(Reading: “Abortion Rulings Back Medical Rights,” American Medical News, 7/24/00, pp. 9-10)
chemical (medical) abortion
EMERGENCY ABORTION PILLS AT HOME IN GHANA: Researchers studying 211 women at four family planning clinics in Ghana set out to determine whether or not having the pills at home would help a female avoid pregnancy. “Women at all clinics used ECPs after at least 78% of unprotected coital acts. ECPs were used more promptly by women who had the pills at home.” However, they also point out that “the availability of ECPs increased the frequency of unprotected intercourse.”
(Reading: Lovvorn, et al, “Provision of emergency contraceptive pills to spermicide users in Ghana,” Contraception, 61:287-293, [paid subscription only])
LONG-ACTING CONTRACEPTIVE USE: Researchers estimating that there is an epidemic of “unintended” pregnancy in the United States, studied data on users of implants and injectables, both commonly referred to as “contraceptive” but known to act as chemical abortion agents. They found that “Fewer than two percent of women who were at risk of an unintended pregnancy in 1995 were using the implant, and under three percent were using the injectable.” The reasons were lack of knowledge, fear of side effects of health hazards. The researchers conclude “The low prevalence of use and the low level of use intention for the implant and the injectable do not hold much promise for the future of these methods.”
(Reading “Why Are U S. Women Not Using Long-Acting Contraceptives?” Family Planning Perspectives, 7-8/00, pp. 176-191)
POSTCOITAL LEVONORGESTREL: A United Nations study involving 295 healthy women at six sites set out to determine the efficacy and safety of administering levonorgestrel 0.75mg by mouth immediately after intercourse during six months. Levonorgestrel, the same hormone contained in Plan B emergency abortion pill, is a synthetic hormone (progestin) commonly used in birth control pills. This was the only “contraceptive” method used during that time. Research indicates 70 percent of the women complained of nausea, breast tenderness, weakness, dizziness, headache, and so forth. They conclude “high-dose levonorgestrel pills are unsuitable for regular post-coital contraception.”
(Reading: “Efficacy and Side Effects of Immediate Postcoital Levonorgestrel Used Repeatedly for Contraception,” Contraception, 61:287-293, [paid subscription only])
condoms
FAILURE RATES & FEMALE CONDOM: In South Africa the multiple washing, drying and re-lubricating of the female condom for reuse was studied by the manufacturer. The point of the study was to determine how long this process protects the effectiveness of the female condom. Researchers determined that at ten washings deterioration is already occurring. It is suggested that more studies are needed. Additionally, because the female condom is “12 times more expensive than the male condom” recycling is the only way the female condom is practical in developing nations.
FAILURE RATES & FEMALE CONDOM: In South Africa the multiple washing, drying and re-lubricating of the female condom for reuse was studied by the manufacturer. The point of the study was to determine how long this process protects the effectiveness of the female condom. Researchers determined that at ten washings deterioration is already occurring. It is suggested that more studies are needed. Additionally, because the female condom is “12 times more expensive than the male condom” recycling is the only way the female condom is practical in developing nations.
(Reading: “In Vitro Assessment of the Structural Integrity of the Female Condom After Multiple Wash, Dry and Re-Lubrication Cycles,” Contraception, 61:303-308, [paid subscription only])
genetics
AMA ATTITUDE CHECK: The American Medical Association wants to find out what’s on the public’s minds regarding genetic medicine, including genetic testing for inheritable diseases. The AMA admits that it’ll still be years before individual genomes sequences can be obtained, but “finding out more about consumer attitudes now can help the AMA as it prepares materials and resources for physicians on genetic medicine.”
(Reading: “Consumer Attitude Survey,” American Medical Association)
microbicides
TESTING: Researchers report that due to the high number of women “who are unable or unwilling to discuss or use condoms with their sexual partners,” a different method is needed to protect them from STDs including HIV. The focus is now on vaginal microbicides, but these researchers warn that current products have drawbacks including “messiness, stickiness or cottage cheese-like consistency.” Further, they note that “An important question that this study cannot answer, but that is perhaps key for all microbicides, is whether the gel could be used without the knowledge of a woman’s partner.”
(Reading: “Acceptability of a Novel Vaginal Microbicide During a Safety Trial Among Low-Risk Women,” Family Planning Perspectives, 7-8/00)
nurses
PULSE LINE A MUST READ: For those in nursing who wish to collaborate with a national pro-life professional association, we recommend National Association of Pro-Life Nurses, publishers of the newsletter Pulse-Line, and hosts of a web site.
personhood
FROZEN EMBRYOS: Moral theologian Father Gino Concetti, O.F.M., wrote a comment in 1995 worthy of repeating: “The embryo is already a human being with dignity and all its rights. It cannot be subordinated to even understandable motives on the part of women who desire to postpone pregnancy. It is as if a person were told: ‘just now you are in my way; excuse me but I will put you in a large refrigerator and wait for me there; I will come and get you when I think the time is right.’ No one would accept this reasoning as sound. What is valid for the adult person is also valid for a human being of microscopic dimensions. The former is a person and the latter is a person. Discrimination is repellant to conscience and pollutes civilization.”
(Reading: “No Person Is a Disposable Object,” L’Osservatore Romano, 6/14/95, p. 4; information on ordering back issues of L’Osservatore Romano is available)
politics
MORE DANGEROUS THAN HILLARY? Political analyst Tom Drolesky, considering the pro-abortion stance of Republican Rick Lazio, who claims to be a Catholic and is Hillary’s opponent in the New York senate race, writes “a bad Catholic is far more dangerous to the commonwealth than a non-Catholic who is steeped in error. Rick Lazio is a bad Catholic. He supports the slaughter of the unborn as a matter of legal right.”
(Reading: “Far More Dangerous than Hillary,” Christ or Chaos, 7-8/00, p. 9, subscription price is $40 per year, Christ or Chaos, P.O. Box 704, Oyster Bay, NY 11771-0704; highlights of past issues may be found at Christ or Chaos)
vaccines
CAMPAIGN TO CONVERT MERCK: Please visit the Children of God for Life website, and review the most recent efforts to invite Merck to produce alternative childhood vaccines that do NOT contain aborted baby parts.
warning
PAGANISM RECRUITING CHILDREN: Parents and grandparents watch out for “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” by J.K. Rowling, the latest in her Harry Potter series. Using magic and Gnosticism, this series of books lures young people into putting their trust in pagan religions instead of in Christ.
(Reading “Harry Potter and Paganism,” Catholic World News, 8/7/00 [subscribers only])
reflection for prayer
Yet God does raise and sustain our flagging hopes. He rescued Peter from drowning and made the sea into a firm surface beneath his feet. He does the same for us; the hands of the Word of God are stretched out to us when we are out of our depth, buffeted and lost in speculation. Grasped firmly in His hands, we shall be without fear: “Blessed are the pure of heart,” He says, “for they shall see God.”
-Gregory of Nyssa, 330-395 A.D.
BREAST CANCER and INFORMED CONSENT: For the latest in information on John Kindley’s false-advertising lawsuit against an abortion mill accused of passing out material with false information about the abortion-breast cancer link, visit his litigation page. For an overview of the efforts currently underway on this matter, visit Abortion Cancer (Joel Brind, Ph.D.) and Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer.
(Reading: “Abortion and Breast Cancer Link: What the Experts Say,” Karen Malec, President, Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer.)
STENBERG v. CARHART: American Medical News (AMN), quoting Simon Heller of the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy, reports that the most recent U.S. Supreme Court decision “means that virtually all the laws in the 30 states that have enacted similar laws are unconstitutional and unenforceable.” “And,” AMN reports, “the decision invalidates federal legislation to ban late-term abortion.”
COMMENT: How about rallying behind a true ban on all child killing by striving to achieve personhood for all human beings from conception/fertilization? That is the answer.
(Reading: “Abortion Rulings Back Medical Rights,” American Medical News, 7/24/00, pp. 9-10)
chemical (medical) abortion
EMERGENCY ABORTION PILLS AT HOME IN GHANA: Researchers studying 211 women at four family planning clinics in Ghana set out to determine whether or not having the pills at home would help a female avoid pregnancy. “Women at all clinics used ECPs after at least 78% of unprotected coital acts. ECPs were used more promptly by women who had the pills at home.” However, they also point out that “the availability of ECPs increased the frequency of unprotected intercourse.”
(Reading: Lovvorn, et al, “Provision of emergency contraceptive pills to spermicide users in Ghana,” Contraception, 61:287-293, [paid subscription only])
LONG-ACTING CONTRACEPTIVE USE: Researchers estimating that there is an epidemic of “unintended” pregnancy in the United States, studied data on users of implants and injectables, both commonly referred to as “contraceptive” but known to act as chemical abortion agents. They found that “Fewer than two percent of women who were at risk of an unintended pregnancy in 1995 were using the implant, and under three percent were using the injectable.” The reasons were lack of knowledge, fear of side effects of health hazards. The researchers conclude “The low prevalence of use and the low level of use intention for the implant and the injectable do not hold much promise for the future of these methods.”
(Reading “Why Are U S. Women Not Using Long-Acting Contraceptives?” Family Planning Perspectives, 7-8/00, pp. 176-191)
POSTCOITAL LEVONORGESTREL: A United Nations study involving 295 healthy women at six sites set out to determine the efficacy and safety of administering levonorgestrel 0.75mg by mouth immediately after intercourse during six months. Levonorgestrel, the same hormone contained in Plan B emergency abortion pill, is a synthetic hormone (progestin) commonly used in birth control pills. This was the only “contraceptive” method used during that time. Research indicates 70 percent of the women complained of nausea, breast tenderness, weakness, dizziness, headache, and so forth. They conclude “high-dose levonorgestrel pills are unsuitable for regular post-coital contraception.”
(Reading: “Efficacy and Side Effects of Immediate Postcoital Levonorgestrel Used Repeatedly for Contraception,” Contraception, 61:287-293, [paid subscription only])
condoms
FAILURE RATES & FEMALE CONDOM: In South Africa the multiple washing, drying and re-lubricating of the female condom for reuse was studied by the manufacturer. The point of the study was to determine how long this process protects the effectiveness of the female condom. Researchers determined that at ten washings deterioration is already occurring. It is suggested that more studies are needed. Additionally, because the female condom is “12 times more expensive than the male condom” recycling is the only way the female condom is practical in developing nations.
FAILURE RATES & FEMALE CONDOM: In South Africa the multiple washing, drying and re-lubricating of the female condom for reuse was studied by the manufacturer. The point of the study was to determine how long this process protects the effectiveness of the female condom. Researchers determined that at ten washings deterioration is already occurring. It is suggested that more studies are needed. Additionally, because the female condom is “12 times more expensive than the male condom” recycling is the only way the female condom is practical in developing nations.
(Reading: “In Vitro Assessment of the Structural Integrity of the Female Condom After Multiple Wash, Dry and Re-Lubrication Cycles,” Contraception, 61:303-308, [paid subscription only])
genetics
AMA ATTITUDE CHECK: The American Medical Association wants to find out what’s on the public’s minds regarding genetic medicine, including genetic testing for inheritable diseases. The AMA admits that it’ll still be years before individual genomes sequences can be obtained, but “finding out more about consumer attitudes now can help the AMA as it prepares materials and resources for physicians on genetic medicine.”
(Reading: “Consumer Attitude Survey,” American Medical Association)
microbicides
TESTING: Researchers report that due to the high number of women “who are unable or unwilling to discuss or use condoms with their sexual partners,” a different method is needed to protect them from STDs including HIV. The focus is now on vaginal microbicides, but these researchers warn that current products have drawbacks including “messiness, stickiness or cottage cheese-like consistency.” Further, they note that “An important question that this study cannot answer, but that is perhaps key for all microbicides, is whether the gel could be used without the knowledge of a woman’s partner.”
(Reading: “Acceptability of a Novel Vaginal Microbicide During a Safety Trial Among Low-Risk Women,” Family Planning Perspectives, 7-8/00)
nurses
PULSE LINE A MUST READ: For those in nursing who wish to collaborate with a national pro-life professional association, we recommend National Association of Pro-Life Nurses, publishers of the newsletter Pulse-Line, and hosts of a web site.
personhood
FROZEN EMBRYOS: Moral theologian Father Gino Concetti, O.F.M., wrote a comment in 1995 worthy of repeating: “The embryo is already a human being with dignity and all its rights. It cannot be subordinated to even understandable motives on the part of women who desire to postpone pregnancy. It is as if a person were told: ‘just now you are in my way; excuse me but I will put you in a large refrigerator and wait for me there; I will come and get you when I think the time is right.’ No one would accept this reasoning as sound. What is valid for the adult person is also valid for a human being of microscopic dimensions. The former is a person and the latter is a person. Discrimination is repellant to conscience and pollutes civilization.”
(Reading: “No Person Is a Disposable Object,” L’Osservatore Romano, 6/14/95, p. 4; information on ordering back issues of L’Osservatore Romano is available)
politics
MORE DANGEROUS THAN HILLARY? Political analyst Tom Drolesky, considering the pro-abortion stance of Republican Rick Lazio, who claims to be a Catholic and is Hillary’s opponent in the New York senate race, writes “a bad Catholic is far more dangerous to the commonwealth than a non-Catholic who is steeped in error. Rick Lazio is a bad Catholic. He supports the slaughter of the unborn as a matter of legal right.”
(Reading: “Far More Dangerous than Hillary,” Christ or Chaos, 7-8/00, p. 9, subscription price is $40 per year, Christ or Chaos, P.O. Box 704, Oyster Bay, NY 11771-0704; highlights of past issues may be found at Christ or Chaos)
vaccines
CAMPAIGN TO CONVERT MERCK: Please visit the Children of God for Life website, and review the most recent efforts to invite Merck to produce alternative childhood vaccines that do NOT contain aborted baby parts.
warning
PAGANISM RECRUITING CHILDREN: Parents and grandparents watch out for “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire,” by J.K. Rowling, the latest in her Harry Potter series. Using magic and Gnosticism, this series of books lures young people into putting their trust in pagan religions instead of in Christ.
(Reading “Harry Potter and Paganism,” Catholic World News, 8/7/00 [subscribers only])
reflection for prayer
Yet God does raise and sustain our flagging hopes. He rescued Peter from drowning and made the sea into a firm surface beneath his feet. He does the same for us; the hands of the Word of God are stretched out to us when we are out of our depth, buffeted and lost in speculation. Grasped firmly in His hands, we shall be without fear: “Blessed are the pure of heart,” He says, “for they shall see God.”
-Gregory of Nyssa, 330-395 A.D.