LifeZine No. 614: 20th Aug 08
Women to Challenge Irish Abortion Law, with IFPA Support
A serious legal challenge is being taken against Ireland’s Constitutional protection of mothers and their unborn babies. The European Court of Human Rights has agreed to hear a challenge by three Irish women to the Government’s ban on abortion on the basis that their rights were denied insofar as they were obliged to have their abortions outside the State. The women claim the restrictive nature of Irish law on abortion jeopardised their health and their wellbeing. Pro-life groups in Ireland, meanwhile, argue that a new constitutional amendment is needed to.... Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
‘Irish Times’ Editorial on When a Patient is Dying
A new guide to help healthcare professionals in Ireland respond to the difficult issues associated with the impending death of a patient should be welcomed by the personnel it targets, according to an “Irish Times” editorial. It is the latest step in an Irish Hospice Foundation initiative to bring hospice principles into acute and community hospitals and to ensure, among other things, that no one dies alone and in pain. The Hospice friendly Hospitals (HfH) programme has been introduced in 42 settings and has brought many changes in the way issues of death, dying and bereavement are… Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Another Harmful Effect of the Pill Discovered
A report in “The Times” (London) has highlighted a newly discovered problem with the contraceptive pill. “To millions of women it has been the great liberator over the past four decades, allowing them the freedom to control their fertility and their relationships. But the contraceptive Pill could also be responsible for skewing their hormones and attracting them to the “wrong” partner.” A University of Liverpool study also suggests that the contraception could have implications for fertility and... Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Serious STD Cases Double in a Decade
Instances of serious sexually transmitted disease in Scotland doubled between 1996 and 2007. There were nearly 23,000 acute infections last year and chlamydia increased five-fold over a decade. The Scottish National Party health minister was disappointed while the Conservatives called the increase “shocking”. 80% of chlamydia diagnoses were of females aged 15 to 24. That disease can be symptomless and lead to.... Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Spain Aborts 9 out of 10 Babies with Down’s Syndrome
More than nine out of every 10 unborn babies diagnosed with Down's Syndrome in Spain are aborted. The Women's Help Line Foundation of Madrid reportedly says that aborting the disabled breaches the 2006 UN “Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities” which Spain has signed. Article 10 of the convention says: "States Parties reaffirm that every human being has the inherent right to life and shall take all necessary measures to ensure its effective enjoyment by persons with disabilities on an equal basis with..." Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Over 70 US Physicians Sign Statement Saying Personhood Begins at Fertilisation
More than 70 doctors have expressed their support for a measure to recognise the unborn as legal persons in the US State of Colorado. A constitutional amendment will appear on the presidential ballot paper in November. It says: "... the terms 'person' or 'persons' shall include any human being from the moment of fertilization." Supporters say they have science and reason on... Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....