LifeZine No. 593: 26th May 08
Overwhelming Majority Say ‘No’ to Embryo Research in ‘Irish Times’ Poll
In the recent Head to Head debate in "The Irish Times", Dolores Dooley of the Irish Council for Bioethics and Ruth Cullen of the Pro-Life Campaign made the case for and against research involving the destruction of human embryos. The debate took place in the light of the recent publication by the Irish Council for Bioethics of a report recommending that such research should be permitted in Ireland. As yet there has been no indication from the government whether there will be any change to the law. This feature included a poll. Family & Life urged our readers to make their views known by voting. In response to the question, “Should the State legislate for embryonic stem cell research?”: 88% voted NO; 12% voted YES. Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Move to Extend Abortion Law to North Ireland Withdrawn
An amendment aimed at extending permissive British abortion law to Northern Ireland has been withdrawn at Westminster. Liberal Democrat MP Evan Harris had tabled the amendment to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill currently being debated in the Commons. The measure would have extended the 1967 Abortion Act to Northern Ireland where there is no legislative provision for abortion. The Association of Catholic Lawyers of Ireland welcomed the withdrawal of the amendment yesterday. Barrister Johanna Higgins said: “I am delighted to see that the pro-abortion lobby in Westminster has backed off from its threat to try and get the Abortion Act extended to the North of Ireland, which would have meant, among other things, the legalisation of abortion to full term for disabled babies.” Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
UK Government Plans to Make Abortions Even More Easily Available
Women could soon be offered early-stage abortions in health centres, GP clinics and family planning centres after Government-backed trials were declared a “success” recently. Two pilot sites at Chalfont and Gerrards Cross Hospital and St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, gave women drugs to induce an early abortion. However a pro-life spokeswoman said, “These abortions are being described as 'safe and effective' but most of the medical profession does not acknowledge or recognise the emotional and mental trauma suffered by women who have abortions. A baby is fully formed by 10 weeks. What will happen when a young teen (or any mother) who has one of these DIY abortions sees the result and realises that the 'lump of cells' really is a tiny baby? Suicide is not uncommon in women who have abortions—how much more traumatic will a home alone DIY abortion be?” The Telegraph. CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Archbishop of Canterbury Condemns Proposed Embryo Law
As Parliament prepared to vote on the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, the leader of the Anglican Church renewed his opposition. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, said that promoting human cloning is “irresponsible science”. He said he welcomed a free vote on the bill that would allow MPs to vote according to their consciences because the bill promotes human cloning, the creation of human-animal hybrids and so-called "saviour siblings" who are created as a source of tissue for older siblings. He said he was “yet to be convinced” by pro-cloning MPs how the bill would not “open the way to a less consistently respectful attitude to life." Joining Dr Williams, Catholic Cardinal Keith O'Brien denounced the proposals as a "monstrous" attack on human rights”. The Telegraph. CLICK TO READ MORE.....
New Italian PM to Tackle Abortion Issue
Mr Silvio Berlusconi, Italy's new prime minister, has said he will deal with the causes of abortion. His comments came following promises he made during the recent Italian elections and also the Pope's recent description of abortion as a social wound. Catholic World News. END.
Science, Religion Not in Conflict, US Bishops Say in Stem Cell Document
US bishops will next month discuss embryo research and are expected to publish a document on it and related matters. A preliminary paper says: "If fundamental rights such as the right to life are based on abilities or qualities that can appear or disappear, grow or diminish, and be greater or lesser in different human beings, then there are no inherent human rights, no true human equality, only privileges for the strong." Catholic News Service. CLICK TO READ MORE.....