in this issue:
terror: THOUGHTS BY COLLEEN PARRO
abortion: WHEN ABORTION IS NOT KILLING
activism: FREEDOM OF SPEECH
birth control pills: RISKS
chemical abortion: DEATH and MIFEPRISTONE (RU-486)
condoms: CDC CHIEF MUST RESIGN
embryonic stem cell research: APPROVED CELL LINES NOT ENOUGH
in vitro fertilization: FAILURE
morning-after abortion pills: YOUNG WOMEN UNDEPENDABLE
politics: POLITICIANS AND BIO-TECH $$
pregnancy: WHEN DOES IT BEGIN?
vaccines: UPDATES
reflection for prayer: 1 TIMOTHY 4:12
terror
THOUGHTS FROM COLLEEN PARRO: The director of the Republican National Coalition for Life notes: “America is a great and powerful nation, and she is also a sinful one. Here, one and a half million babies are murdered by abortion every year. American public policies have resulted in the promotion of abortion across the globe. So-called ‘family planning’ programs, paid for by us, the taxpayers, have resulted in the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases to impoverished nations in the developing world. Through the media of television, movies and recorded music we export gratuitous sex and violence throughout the world. We do business with countries which make it a practice to trounce on the human rights of individuals, in the name of ‘free trade.’ And, we continue to elect people to public office from both major political parties who support these and other destructive policies that must be reversed. We cannot, as a nation, continue to fly in the face of God. September 11, 2001 showed us what it is like to feel totally helpless and at the mercy of a terrible evil unleashed upon us. Let us renew our resolve to turn from our wicked ways, reform our lives, and rest in the knowledge that then, He will heal our land.”
(Reading: FaxNotes, Republican National Coalition for Life, 9/14/01)
abortion
WHEN ABORTION IS NOT KILLING: Using embryonic stem cells: “It probably is a lot more well-defined and easy to use embryos created in vitro than to use products of conception,” said Dr. Larry Lasky, associate professor of pathology and internal medicine at Ohio State University. Why? Lasky said that “because the excess embryos being used in such research never were implanted in a woman’s womb, their use shouldn’t be illegal under state abortion laws.” And that is because, according to Lasky’s colleague, Dr. Beth Kennard, “The whole production of the embryo is obviously the creation of what they would consider a life, but an abortion involves surgically or medically terminating a pregnancy. So it would be a long shot to go from an in vitro procedure to an abortion.” And OSU’s Dr. Larry Copeland notes, “It’s a muddy area. Does an abortion only occur when the products of conception are within the mother’s body and then removed?”
COMMENT: You have just read quotes from a news report quoting professors who agree that persons are not persons at fertilization/conception and maybe not until birth or later!
(Reading: “Ohio law on aborted tissue may affect stem cell study,” Associated Press, 9/10/01)
activism
FREEDOM OF SPEECH: A high school student who was wearing the Rock for Life “abortion is homicide” sweatshirt (order item AP15N [$28] from ALL Resources at 866-LET-LIVE) has won a victory for free speech! The student was initially told to either remove the sweatshirt or go home. The Thomas More Center for Law and Justice became involved and the school authorities ultimately changed their view. The Center has prepared a letter for students to use clarifying their rights under our constitutionally protected freedom of speech. For further details on this case or the letter, contact .
birth control pills
RISKS: Researchers have discovered a link between the use of oral contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy and microalbuminuria (may lead to diabetic necropathy/kidney damage).
(Reading: “Oral contraceptive use and hormone replacement therapy are associated with microalbuminuria,” Archives of Internal Medicine, 2001;161:2000-2005)
chemical abortion
DEATH and MIFEPRISTONE (RU-486): The death of a Canadian woman during a drug trial in Canada has not been listed as a warning by the Population Council on its web site. The Population Council reported the death to authorities, suspended the trial, says the death was not related to the drug and claims that the FDA is looking into the matter. No warning is found in the FDA web site.
(Reading: “Woman dies of infection in abortion drug trial,” Reuters Health, 9/14/01)
condoms
CDC CHIEF MUST RESIGN: The Physicians Consortium joined the Catholic Medical Association in asking President Bush to call for the resignation of CDC chief Dr. Jeffrey Koplan because the CDC gave the public inaccurate information on the actual effectiveness of condoms in protecting potential victims from STDs. The campaign to demand Koplan’s resignation continues. Your help is needed.
(Reading: Background information and action items on the American Family Association web site)
embryonic stem cell research
APROVED CELL LINES NOT ENOUGH: The National Academy of Sciences has challenged the Bush Administration’s decision to limit funding of human embryonic stem cell research to “existing cell lines” with a statement prepared by the Institute of Medicine Committee on the Biological and Biomedical Applications of Stem Cell Research.
(Reading: “Stem Cells and the Future of Regenerative Medicine” is available on the internet, as is the National Academy of Sciences news release)
in vitro fertilization
FAILURE: Researchers find that with repeated cycles of IVF the actual rate of pregnancy and implantation decreases. 304 patients undergoing treatment including blastocyst transfer took part in the study; each having at least one “re-cycle.”
(Reading: “Dramatic declines in implantation and pregnancy rates in patients who undergo repeated cycles …” Fertility and Sterility, 9/01, pp. 538-542, members only)
morning-after abortion pills
YOUNG WOMEN UNDEPENDABLE: Swedish researchers find that you women age 13-17, mean age 17, who express a need for “emergency ‘contraception’ [sic] imply “inadequate use of contraception including the nonuse of a condom, which, in turn, raises the question of an increased risk of STDs such as chlamydia.” The researchers urge more education and easier access to emergency methods.
(Reading: “Young women requesting emergency contraception are, despite contraceptive counseling, a high risk group for new unintended pregnancies,” Contraception, 64 (2001) 23-27, subscriber only)
politics
POLITICIANS AND BIO-TECH $$: To understand why promotion of killing embryonic people for their stem cells crosses party lines, read “Capitol Hill stem-cell backers received health industry dollars,” by Asid Ismail and Christine Morenti.
pregnancy
WHEN DOES IT BEGIN? Williams Obstetrics, 21st edition, page 86 (not available on line): “Fertilization of the ovum and cleavage of the zygote. Few, if any, naturally occurring phenomena are of greater importance to humankind than the union of egg and sperm. Fertilization occurs in the fallopian tube; and it is generally agreed that fertilization of the ovum must occur within minutes or no more than a few hours after ovulation. Consequently, spermatozoa must be present in the fallopian tube at the time of ovulation. Most all pregnancies occur when intercourse occurs during the 2 days preceding or on the day of ovulation. If intercourse takes place on the day after ovulation, pregnancy probably will not occur.”
COMMENT: A human being begins at conception/fertilization and, by implication, pregnancy begins at that same time. So why do pro-aborts state otherwise?
(Reading: Copies available by postal mail from “>ALL. Please include your postal address in your message.)
vaccines
UPDATES: To receive regular news updates on childhood vaccines and what parents are doing about unethical vaccines, request the update from Children of God for Life director “>Debi Vinnedge.
reflection for prayer
1 TIMOTHY 4:12: Be an example for all believers in speech and conduct, in love, faith and purity. In this way, you will save both yourself and those who hear you.