in this issue
abortion: PAIN
chemical abortion: LAWSUIT
diethylstilbestrol: COMPLICATIONS
embryonic stem cell research: HYPE
ethical stem cell research: ADULT STEM CELLS
frozen embryos: NEW JERSEY
human cloning: ADVANCED CELL TECHNOLOGY, REPRODUCTIVE CLONING
in vitro fertilization: MULTIPLES
pelvic inflammatory disease: RISKS
planned parenthood: MICHIGAN
pre-term birth: UTILITARIANISM
stem cell research lawsuit: CHRISTIAN LEGAL SOCIETY
surrogate mother: ABORT OR ELSE
reflection for prayer: GALATIANS 1:12
abortion
PAIN: Canadian abortionists studied the effect of fentanyl administered intravenously on reducing the pain associated with first trimester surgical abortion. The results were “less than desired by the women included in the study.”
(Reading: “A randomized controlled trial of fentanyl for abortion pain,” American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 7/01, pp. 103-107, abstract)
chemical abortion
LAWSUIT: Karen Brauer, a pharmacist fired by K-mart because she would not fill prescriptions for abortive birth control pills, is suing her former employer. She recently appeared on True North, and her interview can be reviewed online.
diethylstilbestrol (des)
COMPLICATIONS: Current studies address the negative effect this drug had in utero on the “1.5 million female fetuses” who were exposed to DES between 1940 and 1970. The alterations to the T-cell-mediated immunity and possible cancer risk are addressed in a current study.
QUESTION: How many years from now will honest studies be done on the negative effects of the pill, the morning-after regimen, and so on?
(Reading: “Altered immune response in adult women exposed to diethylstilbestrol in utero,” American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 7/01, pp. 78-81, abstract)
embryonic stem cell research
HYPE: Embryonic stem cells are being studied as possible sources for the creation of specialized cardiac tissue. A recent report offers a sample of fact versus sensationalism on this topic. The headline reads “Researchers turn human stem cells into heart tissue,” while the article reports the cautions raised by researchers and the comment that “no new insights into the capacity of embryonic stem cells to differentiate into cardiocyte-like cells have been gained.”
(Reading: “Researchers turn human stem cells into heart tissue,” The Lancet, 8/11/01, p. 175)
ethical stem cell research
ADULT STEM CELLS: Researchers report that stem cells taken from the blood of patients suffering from Crohn’s disease are successfully being used to treat the disease.
(Reading: “Adult stem cells hold out hope for autoimmune patients,” 8/11/01; for further reports on similar scientific advances based on ethical research see “Ethical sources of stem cells,” and for overall news updates see “Stem cell news“)
frozen embryos
NEW JERSEY: The New Jersey Supreme Court affirmed the appellate division judgment that seven human embryonic babies will be destroyed, “because M.B. is a father and is capable of having other children, his right to procreate is not lost if he is denied the opportunity to use or donate the pre-embryos; whereas if the pre-embryos are successfully implanted, J.B. will be forced to become a biological parent. On balance, the fundamental right of J.B. not to procreate outweighs M.B.’s right to procreate,” the high court said.
COMMENT: “Pre-embryo” is a false term used to deny the FACT of conception and the humanity of the young human beings currently frozen in time but very much alive.
(Reading: “U.S. court allows mother to dispose of embryos,” Reuters Health, 8/15/01; J.B. v. M.B. and C.C., New Jersey Supreme Court, 8/14/01)
human cloning
ADVANCED CELL TECHNOLOGY: Amy Contrada of MassNews reports that two ethics advisors have resigned in protest over Advanced Cell Technology’s company policies. Their point of contention is whether or not cloning embryonic humans is right or wrong. For the entire report and related stories see MassNews.
REPRODUCTIVE CLONING: A clinical update reports that human reproductive cloning is not possible at this time: “The success of reproductive cloning depends on the species….reproductive cloning in large domestic animal species has been fraught with problems.” Therefore, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine finds human reproductive cloning unethical at this time owing to safety concerns.”
(Reading: “Human reproductive cloning: Not ready for prime time,” Fertility and Sterility, 8/01, pp. 323-234, subscriptions only)
in vitro fertilization
MULTIPLES: Doctors writing about parental decisions when faced with multiple babies in the aftermath of an IVF treatment express concern not about whether or not it is ethical to destroy or discard “extra embryos,” but rather about a “prudent embryo transfer policy.”
(Reading: “Risk of multiple pregnancy — the decision belongs to whom?” Fertility and Sterilityy, 8/01, pp. 423-425, subscriptions only)
pelvic inflammatory disease
RISKS: Based on prior claims that contraceptives are alleged to “reduce the risk of symptomatic PID,” researchers studied the effect of the pill and barrier methods on women between the ages of 14 and 37. They found that no preventive effect was provided to women on the pill or women who use barrier methods. But they did find that inconsistent condom use increased the incidence of urinary genital tract infection.
(Reading: “Hormonal and barrier contraception and risk of upper genital tract disease in the PID evaluation and clinical health (PEACH) study,” American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 7/01, pp. 121-127, abstract)
planned parenthood
MICHIGAN: In a letter to the editor of the Houghton, Mich., Daily Mining Gazette, Bishop James H. Garland of Marquette writes, “The freedom of choice Planned Parenthood promotes is a choice to kill an innocent baby. The freedom of human reproduction it espouses is largely responsible for the disintegration of respect for traditional marriage… Planned Parenthood proclaims a view of human life and sexuality that flies in the face of the law God has written in our hearts and in the face of Jesus’ teaching in the Gospel.” The bishop encourages the people of Houghton to oppose Planned Parenthood.
(Reading: “Defend yourselves,” Houghton, Michigan, Daily Mining Gazette, 8/11/01; to thank Bishop Garland, visit Diocese of Marquette)
preterm birth
UTILITARIANISM: Researchers studied “extremely pre-term infants” (EPT) in 17 Canadian neonatal ICUs. They followed 754 infants born alive at less than 25 weeks gestational age, and the amount of resources expended to care for these premature infants was tracked. Researchers comment that though there is an emerging trend indicating improved outcomes for such infants, “significant numbers of EPT infants are at risk of developmental delay,” and “society has yet to reckon with the long-term costs of EPT infants.”
(Reading: “Survival, morbidity, and resource use of infants of 25 weeks’ gestational age or less,” American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,” 7/01, pp. 220-226, abstract)
stem cell research lawsuit
CHRISTIAN LEGAL SOCIETY: Executive Director Samuel B. Casey reports that the CLS is suing the National Institutes of Health in pending legal action “challenging the Clinton-era regulations issued” by the NIH. To review the suit, visit Christian Legal Society.
surrogate mother
ABORT OR ELSE: A British woman who was hired to carry a child for parents residing in San Diego has threatened to sue the couple, because she is carrying twins and the couple who hired her wish to have only one child and asked her to abort the other. The couple’s attorney says “Family building is a very private matter.” Another couple has apparently been found to adopt the babies.
(Reading: “Surrogate mother sues Calif. couple,” Associated Press, 8/13/01; for Catholic teaching on surrogate motherhood (a woman who agrees to surrender a child to the party who commissioned her), see Respect for Human Life (Donum Vitae), 2/22/87)
reflection for prayer
GALATIANS 1:12: If I were trying to win man’s approval, I would surely not be serving Christ.