in this issue:
adolescents: PARENTAL GUIDANCE
birth control: ANTI-LIFE REPORT
birth control and health insurance: PROMOTING PROMISCUITY
birth control pill: RISKS = LAWSUIT
chemical abortion: MIFEPRISTONE and MISOPROSTOL
congress: PILL BILL, TITLE X
health care: AGING AND MEDICARE COSTS
imposed death (euthanasia): ALASKA
media: IGNORING TRUTH
morning-after abortion pills: CHILE
politics: WISDOM
planned parenthood: SEX EDUCATION MONTH
sex-selection abortion: IN VITRO FERTILIZATION USA, IN VITRO FERTILIZATION UK
web news: ABORTION MALPRACTICE, HOSPICE PATIENTS ALLIANCE, VACCINE UPDATES
zinger: BRITAIN
reflection: PRAYER
adolescents
PARENTAL GUIDANCE: Recent studies confirm that “teens with strong religious and moral beliefs are less likely to have sexual relations outside of marriage.”
(Reading: “The Dot Commentary,” Beverly LaHaye Institute, 9/27/01)
birth control
ANTI-LIFE REPORT: For a biased, pro-death update on condoms, access to birth control pills, and miscellaneous propaganda, see the latest Contraceptive Technology Update monthly online newsletter.
birth control and health insurance
PROMOTING PROMISCUITY: Feminist groups arguing in favor of Congressional approval for S. 104/HR 1111 (see “Congress” below) state, “Studies by business groups and employer consultants have concluded that employers can save money by including contraceptive coverage in their employee health plans, thereby reducing unintended pregnancies and their associated costs.”
(Reading: “Bill calls for health insurance coverage for contraceptives,” American Medical News, 9/24/01)
birth control pill
RISKS = LAWSUIT: More than 100 British women are suing two drug manufacturers, Schering and Wyeth, for damages in what analysts claim could be millions of dollars in damages. The class action lawsuit alleges that third-generation birth control pills produce an increased risk of blood clots.
(Reading: “Women sue drug firms over pill risks,” Reuters, 10/1/01)
chemical abortion
MIFEPRISTONE and MISOPROSTOL I: Planned Parenthood reports that after a full year in the USA, the chemical abortion regimen is 92% to 95% effective and has “few” side effects. Pro-abortion advocates at the Population Council, the Kaiser Family Foundation and other groups joined the fanfare.
(Reading: “Abortion pill is safe in first year of use in US, proponents say,” Los Angeles Times, 10/1/01)
MIFEPRISTONE and MISOPROSTOL II: A New York research group studied the use of medical abortion chemicals in the early weeks of pregnancy to determine whether or not such chemicals were safe for women prior to sonogram confirmation that the baby exists. Concerns included overlooking or undertreating an ectopic pregnancy. In addition, two patients in the study unexpectedly continued their pregnancies. The study was support by Lawrence Lader, Abortion Rights Mobilization, and long-time supporter of chemical abortion. The study results were questionable.
(Reading: “Mifepristone and misoprostol for early abortion when no gestational sac is present,” Contraception, 63 (2001) 251-254, subscribers only)
congress
PILL BILL: The United States Catholic Conference has sent a letter to the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee opposing the dangerous EPICC (S. 104) legislation. The bill would “impose a nationwide mandate on the inclusion of purely elective drugs and devices in existing health plans. Pregnancy is not a disease…”
(Reading: Letter to Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee members, United States Catholic Conference, 9/10/01)
TITLE X: Support for the Vitter Amendment is needed now. Members of Congress are being asked to support the following language in an amendment to the Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations bill: “None of the funds appropriated in this Act may be used to make any award of a grant or contract under Title X (ten) of the Public Health Service Act for fiscal year 2002 or any subsequent fiscal year to any private grantee, delegate, or clinic that provides a chemical or surgical abortion.” Action is needed now as Vitter will offer this amendment during the week of October 8.
(Reading: Pro-life Action Alert, 10/1/01. For details and copy of entire alert, contact either “>John Cusey, U. S. House Pro-Life Caucus, at 202-225-7669, or contact Congressman Vitter’s assistant, “>Greg Facchiano at 202-225-3015)
health care
AGING AND MEDICARE COSTS: A recent study focused on how aging relates to actual health care dollars spent. The study found that when patients are 85 years of age or older, the medicare expenditures decrease because of the increased age of the patient. This decreased spending occurred in hospice care as well as conventional care. Researchers conclude, “older patients at the end of their natural lifespan are treated much less aggressively than younger patients. This is contrary to the opinions of some policy analysts and ethicists who suggest that such persons are subjected to unreasonably aggressive and expensive medical care.”
(Reading: “Influence of age on medicare expenditures and medical care in the last year of life,” Journal of the American Medical Association, 9/19/01, pp. 1349-1355)
imposed death (euthanasia)
ALASKA: The Physicians for Compassionate Care press release focused on the Alaska Supreme Court decision that there is no right to assisted suicide is online.
media
IGNORING TRUTH: An analytical news report from Zenit shows how the press chooses to ignore all negative side effects of abortion and contraception.
(Reading: “Studies casting a shadow on abortion and contraceptives are largely ignored by mainstream media,” Zenit News Service, 9/22/01)
morning-after abortion pills
CHILE: Alex Sanger, grandson of Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger and chairman of the IPPF Council, expressed outrage that the Chilean Supreme Court ruled that life begins at conception/fertilization and thus outlawed the morning-after abortion pill regimen.
(Reading: “Chile high court defines contraception as abortion,” National Organization for Women, 9/22/01)
politics
WISDOM: Pope Pius XI, Quas Primas (1925): “With God and Jesus Christ excluded from political life, with authority derived not from God but from man … the result is that human society is tottering to its fall, because it has no longer a secure and solid foundation.
“When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at least receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony.”
(Reading: Quas Primas)
planned parenthood
SEX EDUCATION MONTH: The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology is supporting the Planned Parenthood National Family Sexuality Education Month project, which began October 1. For opposing viewpoints, see STOPP International.
sex-selection abortion
IN VITRO FERTILIZATION USA: Anti-life bioethicist John Robertson has set forth the opinion that “‘gender variety’ is an acceptable use of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).” However the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, in which Robertson serves as head of the ethics committee, denies that their group endorses sex selection.
(Reading: “Fertility clinic to allow sex selection,” ABC News, 10/2/01; “American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s ethical committee chair says embryonic sex selection may be acceptable,” New York Times, 9/28; “ASRM denies report that it endorses sex selection,” Reuters Health, 8/28)
IN VITRO FERTILIZATION UK: Prominent British philosopher Dr. David McCarthy also endorses the acceptance of IVF technology for the purpose of PGD. Claiming, “Defenders of the legality of sex selection are not seeking to restrict anyone’s liberty, whereas opponents are.” Sex selection for non-medical reasons is prohibited in the UK.
(Reading: “Legalise IVF sex selection,” BBC News online, 10/1/01)
web news
ABORTION MALPRACTICE: For an outline of medical data that could be used in a lawsuit alleging ‘medical negligence’ and/or ‘battery’ for the abortion/preterm birth risk, see researcher Brent Rooney’s Medical Brief.
HOSPICE PATIENTS ALLIANCE: Updates and newsletter via e-mail available upon request.
VACCINE UPDATES: Concerned about childhood vaccines created from cells and tissue taken from aborted babies? The latest information and educational tools are at Children of God for Life.
zinger
BRITAIN: A woman who tried to kill her ailing mother will not do jail time. Judge Daniel Rodwell decided that her act was “one of mercy and consideration for your mother.”
(Reading: “Woman who tried to kill sick mother spared jail,” The Guardian, 9/29/01; “Daughter admits trying to kill woman in torment,” The Guardian, 9/1/01)
reflection
PRAYER: Give me patience, O Lord, at this time. Help me, oh my God, and I will not fear what lies ahead or what I am called to face this day. Thank you, Father. Amen.