LifeZine No. 391: 18th May 06
Irish MEP Welcomes EU Stem Cell Vote
Irish Member of the European Parliament (MEP), and human rights campaigner, Kathy Sinnott, has said it is time for the Irish Government to follow Europe’s lead on stem cell research. The Cork-based MEP was responding to a decision of the European Parliament on May 4 to fund alternatives to embryo destructive stem cell research. More importantly, the Parliament voted by a two-thirds majority against any funding for research with human embryos and human embryonic stem cells. In a statement that welcomed the EU vote as “crucial”, Mrs Sinnott said...
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Midland Health Board Abortion Case
The court case of the two pro-life activists who were arrested in Tullamore, Co Offaly last week will be heard on July 5. They were arrested for publicly protesting outside the offices of the renamed Health Services Executive (HSE), formerly the Midland Health Board. Following their arrest, the protesters were subsequently released on bail. In December 2003 a young girl in the care of that health board was secretly sent to England to abort her 23 week-old baby. A pro-life spokesman told the Irish Family newspaper that the arrests were "outrageous and a cowardly attempt at silencing an important investigation in the run-up to the General Election". Long-time activists Dónal O'Driscoll and Colm Callanan have sought a public acknowledgement of the policy of the HSE and local politicians in relation to sending children under the care of the Health Board to England for abortions. The HSE officials have remain tight-lipped on this question. Maybe the court hearing will force them to come to answer questions. The Irish Family. May 11. END.
Campaigners Express Relief at Defeat of Assisted Dying Bill
Campaigners around the UK welcomed the news that Lord Joffe's Assisted Dying for the Terminally-Ill Bill has been defeated. Some 90 peers participated in the debate, including many medical peers and disabled peers who spoke strongly against the Bill. Finally, they voted against the legalisation of doctor-assisted suicide by 148 votes to 100. "We congratulate the members of the House of Lords who were successful in defeating this dangerous Bill", said Julia Millington of the ProLife Alliance. "This result reflects the concerns of many in the UK, in particular the medical profession and disability groups who are overwhelmingly opposed to the legalisation of assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia. Legislation that permits doctors to assist in suicide fundamentally changes the role of doctor from someone who... Details: CLICK TO READ MORE.....
'Lunchtime Abortions' Condemned in Scotland
Pro-life groups and Catholic leaders in Scotland have condemned the introduction of 'lunchtime abortions' in Scotland. NHS Lothian plans to start a pilot scheme in 2007, offering abortions in outpatient clinics under local anaesthetic. A spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland said, "The very serious danger with this method is that so little time goes into thinking through the consequences... The more streamlined the process becomes, the higher the risk that the woman will not fully consider her options. This will make abortion more convenient and make it less likely the woman will be able to pause for thought". Margaret Cuthill, of counselling charity British Victims of Abortion, commented: "Many of the women who come for post-abortion counselling with our organisation say they felt like they had been put on a conveyer belt and this new procedure will add to that". Christian Today. May 2. CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Reported Cases of Euthanasia in Netherlands Rise for Third Consecutive Year
Reported instances of euthanasia in the Netherlands have risen for the third consecutive year, 1,993 cases being noted for 2005. Studies estimate that official figures record just over half of all cases of euthanasia. Three cases have been referred to judicial authorities with a view to prosecution because the doctors in question had not followed guidelines. The Guardian. April 27. CLICK TO READ MORE.....
Amnesty International under Pressure on Abortion Issue
Amnesty International (AI) is coming under fire from pro-life groups throughout the world for asking its membership if it should add promoting abortion to the list of human rights it covers. The group is defending itself and saying it is only polling its members and has not taken a pro-abortion stance yet. Last month, AI leaders sent documents to its membership proposing three areas in the abortion debate where the group could be involved. Since then, AI in the UK has adopted a pro-abortion position. Pro-life groups, including Ireland's Family & Life, have been very vocal in opposing this change. Likewise, the international Catholic organisation, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). Father Joaquin Alliend of ACN said his group regretted learning AI was looking into promoting abortion. "AI has earned a high reputation for its intensive efforts to gain the release of innocent prisoners of conscience", he explained. "Now by proposing a pro-abortion initiative AI is abandoning its own noble ethical principles, thereby shaking the very foundations on which it is built." LifeNews.com. CLICK TO READ MORE.....