birth control and health insurance
KNOW THE FACTS: Check out our web site: http://www.all.org/legislat/pillbill.htm
JAPAN: The Lancet reports that the birth control pill is on the verge of being approved because the country has approved Viagra. However, “[Japanese] Health officials argue that Viagra had to be approved quickly because of the growing health risks posed by unsupervised illegal imports. They also insist that the two drugs should not be compared because sildenafil (Viagra) is prescribed to treat an ailment, whereas the low-dose pill is an option for healthy women.”
(Reading: “When Impotence Leads Contraception,” The Lancet, 3/6/99, p. 819)
NEBRASKA: In an effort to pass legislation that would require insurance companies to subsidize family planning chemicals and devices for women, proponents argued that since men can get Viagra under an insurance plan, women should be able to obtain birth control chemicals and devices. The Omaha World-Herald reports that more than half of Nebraska’s women lawmakers sided with their make counterparts to defeat the proposal.
Comment: A true pro-life victory!
(Reading: “Both Sexes Reject Saving Birth-Control Measure,” Omaha World-Herald, 3/4/99)
NORTH CAROLINA: Family planning groups convinced the state Senate that if Viagra is covered by insurance companies, birth control should also be covered. The measure mandating this coverage was passed in a 44-4 vote.
Comment: While a female Democrat pointed out that during the 1970’s lawmakers were stunned to learn that prenatal care was not covered universally, she failed to point out that the chemicals and devices this insurance coverage would pay for can kill tiny boys and girls during their first days of life. Prenatal care would not be an issue if the child were destroyed!
(Reading: “State Senate Votes to Require Contraceptive Coverage,” News and Observer, 3/5/99)
brain death
JAPAN: A brain surgeon who uses the pen name Masahiko Ito has written a book, “Between Murder and a Dignified Death: Confessions of a Brain Surgeon.” The book states, “Advanced medical technologies have led to a rapid increase in the number of vegetables [the author refers to PVS patients as ‘veggies’]. If comatose patients were not kept alive, an annual amount of 50 billion yen in medical expenses would be saved. … With the consent of relatives, I repeatedly allow comatose patients, who are expected to remain vegetables, to die,” The Japan Timesreports that a number of citizens groups have lodged protests against the book, alleging that it “will lead to a misunderstanding about comatose patients by the general public.”
(Reading: “Book on Comatose Patients Slammed,” Japan Times, 2/28/99)
imposed death
SOUTH AFRICA: The 600 members of Doctors for Life have spoken out against a draft legislative proposal being considered by the South African Law Commission. The proposal would allow doctors to assist “terminally ill patients to take their lives.” Doctors for Life president Dr. Albu van Eeden said “It would be next to impossible to ensure that all acts of euthanasia were truly voluntary, and that any liberalisation of the law was not abused.”
(Reading: “South Africa-Euthanasia; Comtex Newswire, 3/10/99)
Stem cell research
CALIFORNIA: Researchers at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Pasadena, California announced they had managed to find and grow stem cells from living nerve tissue for the first time ever. The hope is that the use of these cells will assist in treatment for those suffering from Parkinson’s Disease and spinal cord injuries, The acquisition of these cells, known as neural stem cells, does not involve destruction of a human embryo.
(Reading: “New Source of Cells for Transplants Found,” Reuters, 3/4/99; Sean J. Morrison, et al; “Prospective Identification, Isolation by Flow Cytometry, and In Vivo Self-Renewal of Multipotent Mammalian Neural Crest Stem Cells;” Cell, 3/5/99, pp. 737-749)
web news
CONTRACEPTIVES: A new Contraceptive Information Project is online, but still under construction. The brainchild of Phillip Lawler, editor of Catholic World Report, the site contains two of Lawler’s best articles with a promise of more to come.
RESEARCH NOTES: PetersNet, a Catholic documentary service, has made certain historically relevant documents available, including a 1994 analysis of homosexuality by Father John Miller, C.S.C., S.T.D. and a 1995 study on post-abortion feelings of despair by David Reardon, Ph.D.
VIRTUAL EMBRYO: Scientific American reported on Visualizing Human Embryos, a new web site that features pictures of human embryos, from fertilization, in full color and with complete descriptions of the various stages in a child’s growth before birth. Sadly, the embryos were obtained “from miscarriages and abortions” between 1887 and 1917 by embryologist Franklin Paine Mall. But the value of humanizing this tiny child from the first hour of his life at fertilization is clear to anyone who visits the site.
Nearly as good is The Multi-Dimensional Human Embryo, which includes a wealth of scientific information.
you
HEARTBEAT INTERNATIONAL 1999 WORLDWIDE DIRECTORY OF LIFE-AFFIRMING SERVICES: Each copy is $15.00; bulk prices available. Order from Heartbeat International, 7870 Olentangy River Road, Suite 304, Columbus, OH 43235-1319 or call 888-550-7577. Credit card orders accepted.
UNIVERSITY FACULTY FOR LIFE: To register for the June 4-6 conference in Deerfield, Illinois, access a form on their web site or e-mail conference coordinator Teresa Collett: “>
reflect
Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,
who seeks his strength in flesh…
Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
Whose hope is in the Lord!
-Jeremiah 17:5,7