LifeZine No. 562: 1st Feb 08
Spring Meeting of Irish Catholic Doctors Association
The Spring meeting of Irish Catholic Doctors Association will be held on this Saturday, 23rd February 2008, and promises to be an interesting meeting. Prominent human rights campaigner and Irish Member of the European Parliament for Ireland South, Kathy Sinnott MEP will be a guest speaker. Subjects to be discussed include embryo research and unethical vaccines grown on aborted foetal tissue. CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Irish Labour Party's Call for Abortion Legislation Ignores ‘Latest Compelling Research’
The Labour Party recently reiterated its call for abortion legislation. In seeking to have abortion made widely available in Ireland, Labour spokesperson on Health, Ms Jan O'Sullivan said: “We need the political will to be shown so that we can sort this situation out once and for all.” However a pro-life spokesman said, "Every six months or so the Labour Party calls for abortion legislation. However, the right-to-life issue is far too important for such cynical exercises. If Labour were sincere about finding meaningful solutions to this difficult issue, it would refrain from using lazy pro-abortion rhetoric and begin to acknowledge the compelling research that has come to light showing how abortion impacts negatively on women.” He added, “There is something inherently hypocritical about a political party claiming to want to build a more inclusive and compassionate society while at the same denying the humanity of unborn children." Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Scottish Bishops Warn of ‘Scientific Opportunism' Behind Human Embryo Legislation
In a Pastoral Letter sent to all 500 Catholic parishes in Scotland recently Archbishop Mario Conti, President of the Joint Bio-ethics Committee of the Scottish Catholic Bishops Conference, said, in reference to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, “many other countries have drawn the line at human cloning though regrettably the UK Government has not”. He noted that the procedures involving the creation of human-animal hybrid embryos “are banned in other countries and have been described by the President of the Pontifical Academy for Life as a ‘monstrous act against human dignity’”. He added, “This experimentation is backed by commercial interests who see in it the potential for profit. However, now the scientific community is increasingly appreciating that the use of adult stem cells is both ethically and practically a better solution than creating human (or hybrid) embryos to harvest for stem cells.” CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Strong Criticism of Use of Human-Animal Hybrid Embryos for Research
The UK government's Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill has met with strong reaction. Amendments to it would restrict the use of such embryos, said some scientists. But opponents say the research is profoundly unethical. Cross bench peer Lord Alton, a member of the all-party Parliamentary Pro-Life group, has proposed an amendment that would prohibit the creation of inter-species embryos. Josephine Quintavalle of the campaign group Comment on Reproductive Ethics (CORE) said the battle against inter-species embryos would continue fiercely in the Commons. Mrs Quintavalle said that under the current system, approval for embryo research had always been forthcoming from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. BBC. CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Anti-abortion Debate Gains Momentum in Italy
Senior churchmen in Italy have supported the opening up of the country's abortion law for debate. Mr Sandro Bondi, a member of the Forza Italia party, has proposed a law to ban abortions after the 90th day of pregnancy, currently allowed when the mother's life is in danger. Catholic opposition Senator Paola Binetti said "Bondi's motion is a great step toward justice.'' CAN/EWTN. CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Abortion Numbers Reach Lowest Level in 30 Years, 25% Abortions Decline Since 1990
A new report by the Alan Guttmacher Institute, the “scientific” mouthpiece of Planned Parenthood, found that the number of abortions in the USA has fallen to its lowest in 30 years and has declined 25% since 1990. In response, pro-life groups point to laws limiting abortions, the effectiveness of pregnancy counselling centres and abstinence education for this change. Dr Randall O'Bannon of National Right to Life said the new figures are “welcome news”. "Today's numbers confirm what we have known for years—if women seeking abortion are fully informed about the risks surrounding abortion, the development of their unborn child, and public and private assistance available in their area, they are more likely to reject the idea of abortion", he said. Lifenews.com. End.