in this issue:
abortion: IRELAND / PRACTICES
activism: DALLAS / STOP EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH
adolescents: LETHAL COMBINATION
birth control pill: ABORTS
bush watch: ARCHIVE
reproductive technology: POSTHUMOUSLY CONCEIVED CHILDREN
web alert: WHAT ARE YOUR CHILDREN DOING?
reflection for prayer: POPE PAUL VI
abortion
IRELAND: Rosemary Scallon, better known by her stage name Dana and described as Ireland’s “most conservative lawmaker,” opposes the country’s so-called pro-life referendum because the amendment would promote the use of the morning-after abortion pill and because “doctors were being given too much latitude in deciding when a woman’s life would be endangered by continued pregnancy.”
(Reading: “Conservative Euro lawmaker rejects Irish government’s proposed amendment to abortion law,” Associated Press, 2/18/02)
PRACTICES: Researchers note that “because abortion is one of the most common health care needs of women, it is important to document the contemporary practices of facilities that offer this service.” They completed a survey of members of the National Abortion Federation. It is also noted that “technological advances that allow for the early diagnosis of pregnancy have prompted a resurgence of interest in early abortion options, including both medical and surgical methods.”
(Reading: “First trimester surgical abortion practices: a survey of National Abortion Federation members,” Contraception, 64 (2001), pp. 345-352, paid subscriptions only; of note is the fact that lead author E. Steve Lichtenberg is one of the authors of the 1999 book, “A Clinicians Guide to Medical and Surgical Abortion”)
activism
DALLAS: Operation Save America, led by Rev. Flip Benham, will host a week of activism in Dallas July 13-21.
STOP EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH: An online petition in support of the Responsible Stem Cell Research Act informs lawmakers that destroying embryonic human beings is unethical, unmerciful, and unwarranted. Alan Keyes wrote the introduction to the petition. See Conservative Petitions.
adolescents
LETHAL COMBINATION: A recent survey validates the suspicion that there “is a strong relationship between substance abuse and irresponsible sex.” An analysis, “Lethal Combination,” is available online from the Beverly LaHaye Institute.
birth control pill
ABORTS: A group of researchers examines the “follicular development” in women who began using the ethinyl estradiol (Lo/Ovral) pill on specific days during a menstrual cycle. The study was analyzed by John Wilks, B. Pharm, MPS, who reports the study shows, once again, that “there is a large potential abortifacient capacity for this common version of the pill.” Wilks also points out that the pill’s manufacturer, Wyeth Ayerst, funded the study.
(Reading: “Predicting risk of ovulation in new start oral contraceptive users,” Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2/02, pp. 177-182, subscription only; analysis from John Wilks, B. Pharm, MPS, 2/4/02)
bush watch
ARCHIVE: Robert Fastiggi, Ph.D., associate professor of systemic theology, has written a Catholic response to President Bush’s decision on human embryonic stem cell research. It is available online. Fastiggi is a member of the American Bioethics Advisory Commission.
reproductive technology
POSTHUMOUSLY CONCEIVED CHILDREN: The Massachusetts State Supreme Court ruled that posthumously conceived children have inheritance rights. “The question came before the court after twins born two years after the death of their father sought Social Security benefits,” reported National Law Journal. The decision may be read online.
web alert
WHAT ARE YOUR CHILDREN DOING? Recently, “Contraceptive Technology Update,” known for its consistent abortion and contraceptive advocacy, addressed all of the places on the web where teens can get information about “health” (in other words, information about acquiring birth control and “abortion services”). Among those listed was a site described as “PG-13.” Since this information could be offensive, we will not offer specifics in this forum. If you wish to know more, please contact our office, and a listing will be sent to you. Send your request to ?subject=communique%20question”>American Life League.
reflection for prayer
POPE PAUL VI: The invitation of the Son to metanoia becomes all the more inescapable inasmuch as He not only preaches it but Himself offers an example. Christ, in fact, is the supreme model for those doing penance. He willed to suffer punishment for sins which were not His but those of others, including you and I.
(Reading: Weekday Missal, 2/17/66, p. 571)