Communique – Jul. 9, 1999

birth control pill

JAPAN: Commenting on the Japanese government’s recent approval of the pill, Father Anthony Zimmerman, a long-time resident of Japan, observed, “The fact that national health insurance will not pay for the prescriptions nor for the tests which the guidelines will indicate, will be a deterrent for pill sales in general. The fact that teenagers will have to submit to these tests, and pay about $700 a year for the pills and tests, will be another deterrent. But as you know, once the camel has his nose under the tent, what follows is not so predictable.”

Commenting on the Japanese government’s recent approval of the pill, Father Anthony Zimmerman, a long-time resident of Japan, observed, “The fact that national health insurance will not pay for the prescriptions nor for the tests which the guidelines will indicate, will be a deterrent for pill sales in general. The fact that teenagers will have to submit to these tests, and pay about $700 a year for the pills and tests, will be another deterrent. But as you know, once the camel has his nose under the tent, what follows is not so predictable.”

(Reading: e-mail to Judith Adams from Fr. Anthony Zimmerman, 6/30/99)

emergency contraception

MORNING AFTER PILL AND RAPE: Paul Byrne, M.D., has noted that “no studies have shown that synthetic ‘hormones’ administered in the day or so prior to ovulation can stop ovulation. The inhibition of ovulation has been demonstrated only when small doses are taken daily beginning early in the ovulatory cycle. It is an argument from imagination to administer this anti-ovulatory hormone to a victim of rape. The abortifacient effect . . . is the one that is occurring.”

MORNING AFTER PILL AND RAPE: Paul Byrne, M.D., has noted that “no studies have shown that synthetic ‘hormones’ administered in the day or so prior to ovulation can stop ovulation. The inhibition of ovulation has been demonstrated only when small doses are taken daily beginning early in the ovulatory cycle. It is an argument from imagination to administer this anti-ovulatory hormone to a victim of rape. The abortifacient effect . . . is the one that is occurring.”

MORNING AFTER PILL AND RAPE: Paul Byrne, M.D., has noted that “no studies have shown that synthetic ‘hormones’ administered in the day or so prior to ovulation can stop ovulation. The inhibition of ovulation has been demonstrated only when small doses are taken daily beginning early in the ovulatory cycle. It is an argument from imagination to administer this anti-ovulatory hormone to a victim of rape. The abortifacient effect . . . is the one that is occurring.”

(Reading: e-mail from Paul A. Byrne, M.D., to Nancy Valko, R.N., 7/4/99)

PREVEN: The Food and Drug Administration has approved a revised labeling for Preven, which means that the “black box warning” will be removed. This warning had been required by the FDA to highlight specific concerns regarding side effects, but now those concerns are no longer pertinent. Preven manufacturer Gynetics had petitioned the FDA for this change.

(Reading: “FDA Reduces Warnings on Preven Emergency Contraceptive Kit,” Gynetics news release, 6/28/99)

imposed death

ECONOMICS: Kathleen Foley, M.D., wrote in the Journal of the American Medical Association, “hospices vary in their willingness to provide anti-tumor palliative therapies, such as radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is considered an active antitumor treatment, and because hospices have a daily capitated rate, most patients must give up the hospice benefit to receive radiation therapy.” This is pertinent to Oregon, according to Physicians for Compassionate Care spokesman William Toffler, M.D. “In Oregon, where suicide is fully funded by most HMOs and hospice is often capitated through HMOs, economic factors such as these can pressure the seriously ill and disabled toward assisted suicide.”

ECONOMICS: Kathleen Foley, M.D., wrote in the Journal of the American Medical Association, “hospices vary in their willingness to provide anti-tumor palliative therapies, such as radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is considered an active antitumor treatment, and because hospices have a daily capitated rate, most patients must give up the hospice benefit to receive radiation therapy.” This is pertinent to Oregon, according to Physicians for Compassionate Care spokesman William Toffler, M.D. “In Oregon, where suicide is fully funded by most HMOs and hospice is often capitated through HMOs, economic factors such as these can pressure the seriously ill and disabled toward assisted suicide.”

ECONOMICS: Kathleen Foley, M.D., wrote in the Journal of the American Medical Association, “hospices vary in their willingness to provide anti-tumor palliative therapies, such as radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is considered an active antitumor treatment, and because hospices have a daily capitated rate, most patients must give up the hospice benefit to receive radiation therapy.” This is pertinent to Oregon, according to Physicians for Compassionate Care spokesman William Toffler, M.D. “In Oregon, where suicide is fully funded by most HMOs and hospice is often capitated through HMOs, economic factors such as these can pressure the seriously ill and disabled toward assisted suicide.”

(Reading: “A 44-Year-Old Woman With Severe Pain at the End Of Life,” JAMA, 5/26/99, pp. 1937-1945; e-mail from Nancy Valko, R.N. 6/14/99; Physicians for Compassionate Care, P.O. Box 6042, Portland, Oregon 97228, 503-533-8154)

GREAT BRITAIN: The British Medical Association has issued “ethical guidance on withdrawal of treatment” including the following statement: “Life prolonging treatment refers to all treatment which has the potential to postpone the patient’s death and includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation, artificial ventilation, specialized treatments such as chemotherapy or dialysis, antibiotics and artificial nutrition and hydration.”

(Reading: “BMA Publishes New Ethical Guidance on Withdrawal of Treatment,” BMA news release, 6/23/99; “Withholding and Withdrawing Life-Prolonging Medical Treatment,” Part 5)

physician-assisted suicide

EMOTIONAL INVOLVEMENT: In April 1999, Oregon’s Dr. Peter Reagan wrote an essay in The Lancet entitled “Helen.” Reagan assisted a patient in committing suicide and wrote, “her death exemplified the elements of determination, courage, pride, compassion, honesty, family devotion and good humor that embody the best in people.” Responding to the article, George Dodds of Great Britain wrote, “Reagan has betrayed the fundamental principle of a physician and has connived at the deliberate killing of an ill old woman who was his patient and who should have expected better.” But Reagan responded, “I am grateful to my co-workers, the consultants, the hospice carers, my spouse and to the Oregon law itself, for keeping me on track.”

EMOTIONAL INVOLVEMENT: In April 1999, Oregon’s Dr. Peter Reagan wrote an essay in The Lancet entitled “Helen.” Reagan assisted a patient in committing suicide and wrote, “her death exemplified the elements of determination, courage, pride, compassion, honesty, family devotion and good humor that embody the best in people.” Responding to the article, George Dodds of Great Britain wrote, “Reagan has betrayed the fundamental principle of a physician and has connived at the deliberate killing of an ill old woman who was his patient and who should have expected better.” But Reagan responded, “I am grateful to my co-workers, the consultants, the hospice carers, my spouse and to the Oregon law itself, for keeping me on track.”

EMOTIONAL INVOLVEMENT: In April 1999, Oregon’s Dr. Peter Reagan wrote an essay in The Lancet entitled “Helen.” Reagan assisted a patient in committing suicide and wrote, “her death exemplified the elements of determination, courage, pride, compassion, honesty, family devotion and good humor that embody the best in people.” Responding to the article, George Dodds of Great Britain wrote, “Reagan has betrayed the fundamental principle of a physician and has connived at the deliberate killing of an ill old woman who was his patient and who should have expected better.” But Reagan responded, “I am grateful to my co-workers, the consultants, the hospice carers, my spouse and to the Oregon law itself, for keeping me on track.”

(Reading: “Helen,” The Lancet, 4/10/99, pp. 1265-1267; “Emotional Involvement in Physician-Assisted Suicide,” The Lancet, 6/26/99, p. 2248)

population control

DONALD DUCK IN CHILE: Population Research Institute has reported on a 1968 Disney propaganda cartoon featuring Donald Duck, which is currently being circulated in Chile by the Chilean affiliate of Planned Parenthood. For details, contact “>Scott Weinberg; to protest the use of the film and query Disney’s intention to require an immediate halt to its use in Chile, contact the Walt Disney Company, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521, or call 818-560-1000 or e-mail them at their web site)

DONALD DUCK IN CHILE: Population Research Institute has reported on a 1968 Disney propaganda cartoon featuring Donald Duck, which is currently being circulated in Chile by the Chilean affiliate of Planned Parenthood. For details, contact “>Scott Weinberg; to protest the use of the film and query Disney’s intention to require an immediate halt to its use in Chile, contact the Walt Disney Company, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521, or call 818-560-1000 or e-mail them at their web site)

DONALD DUCK IN CHILE: Population Research Institute has reported on a 1968 Disney propaganda cartoon featuring Donald Duck, which is currently being circulated in Chile by the Chilean affiliate of Planned Parenthood. For details, contact “>Scott Weinberg; to protest the use of the film and query Disney’s intention to require an immediate halt to its use in Chile, contact the Walt Disney Company, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521, or call 818-560-1000 or e-mail them at their web site)

reproductive health

FACTS: International Planned Parenthood recently reported, via the BBC, “an estimated 114 million acts of sexual intercourse take place in the world every day.”

FACTS: International Planned Parenthood recently reported, via the BBC, “an estimated 114 million acts of sexual intercourse take place in the world every day.”

FACTS: International Planned Parenthood recently reported, via the BBC, “an estimated 114 million acts of sexual intercourse take place in the world every day.”

NO COMMENT!

(Reading: “The Sexual Health Minefield,” BBC News, 6/29/99; also see International Planned Parenthood Foundation)

stem cell research

NATIONAL BIOETHICS ADVISORY COMMISSION APPROVES DESTRUCTIVE EMBRYONIC BABY RESEARCH! See commentary at the end of communique for a special report, Part I.

NATIONAL BIOETHICS ADVISORY COMMISSION APPROVES DESTRUCTIVE EMBRYONIC BABY RESEARCH! See commentary at the end of communique for a special report, Part I.

NATIONAL BIOETHICS ADVISORY COMMISSION APPROVES DESTRUCTIVE EMBRYONIC BABY RESEARCH! See commentary at the end of communique for a special report, Part I.

(Reading: “NBAC Votes Yes on Deaths of Embryonic Babies,” ALL news release, 6/29/99, ; “Advisory Panel Votes for Use of Embryonic Cells in Research,” New York Times, 6/29/99; also see NBAC)

united nations

OK ABORTION, OK PERVERSITY: Reports from many sources conclude that the United Nations Cairo +5 special session results are destructive to families around the world. The most comprehensive reports can be obtained from Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute; UNFPA and UN and from “>Susan Fryer, U. N. delegate representing pro-family WOOMB International.

OK ABORTION, OK PERVERSITY: Reports from many sources conclude that the United Nations Cairo +5 special session results are destructive to families around the world. The most comprehensive reports can be obtained from Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute; UNFPA and UN and from “>Susan Fryer, U. N. delegate representing pro-family WOOMB International.

OK ABORTION, OK PERVERSITY: Reports from many sources conclude that the United Nations Cairo +5 special session results are destructive to families around the world. The most comprehensive reports can be obtained from Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute; UNFPA and UN and from “>Susan Fryer, U. N. delegate representing pro-family WOOMB International.

you

GUADALUPE PROJECT: The mission: “to bring an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to every abortion clinic in the country and to ask for her intercession to stop the sacrifice of the unborn.” Sign up on their site.

GUADALUPE PROJECT: The mission: “to bring an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to every abortion clinic in the country and to ask for her intercession to stop the sacrifice of the unborn.” Sign up on their site.

GUADALUPE PROJECT: The mission: “to bring an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to every abortion clinic in the country and to ask for her intercession to stop the sacrifice of the unborn.” Sign up on their site.

RAMAH INTERNATIONAL: Serving women who hurt because they aborted their children, this group is lead by Sydna Masse, evangelist on the move to bring healing all across the globe. Check out the site.

zinger

CANADIAN PHYSICIANS CONFUSED: “Canadian doctors [57%] don’t want to perform medically assisted suicides, but a strong minority [40%] would want it for themselves and for family members who are terminally ill.”

CANADIAN PHYSICIANS CONFUSED: “Canadian doctors [57%] don’t want to perform medically assisted suicides, but a strong minority [40%] would want it for themselves and for family members who are terminally ill.”

CANADIAN PHYSICIANS CONFUSED: “Canadian doctors [57%] don’t want to perform medically assisted suicides, but a strong minority [40%] would want it for themselves and for family members who are terminally ill.”

(Reading: “Doctors Unwilling to Assist Suicides, But Many Want Option Themselves,” National Post [Canada], 6/28/99)

commentary

DESTRUCTIVE HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH: IS IT EVER ETHICAL?

DESTRUCTIVE HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH: IS IT EVER ETHICAL?

DESTRUCTIVE HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH: IS IT EVER ETHICAL?

Human embryonic stem cell research is unethical because:

1. good ends do not justify the use of unethical means. We may not kill one human being for the sake of another.
2. The use of unscrupulous means to find cures or treatments for diseases is to be opposed; there are ethical means available for doing such research. Stem cells are available from the cells of living human beings whose lives will not be taken in the process of acquiring those cells.
3. Recent history contains too many examples of the heinous violations of human beings in experimental medical research using unmistakable utilitarian justifications, e.g. the Nazi medical war crimes, the Tuskegee experiments using African Americans, U.S. government-sponsored radiation research, not to mention the current exposes involving research using mentally ill persons unable to provide informed consent.
4. Roe v. Wade is based on a fictitious right to privacy; the embryonic children to be used in destructive stem cell research do not live in their mothers. What law has given scientists the right to murder them?
5. Creation of “sub-classes” of human beings who are “going to die anyway” has led to disastrous violations of the human rights of human beings. Bioethicists like Peter Singer and Richard McCormick, S.J., have used words to rob these embryonic babies of their humanity.

Where is the outrage?

If you are concerned, you can read the Statement on Stem Cell Research.

reflection for prayer

He who knows what good things to give to his children exhorts us to ask, to seek and to knock. The more truly we believe, the more strongly we hope, and the more ardently we desire, the more generously we will receive. In our petitions we will receive more by sighs than by speech, more by tears than by words.

?Teresa of Avila

JAPAN: Commenting on the Japanese government’s recent approval of the pill, Father Anthony Zimmerman, a long-time resident of Japan, observed, “The fact that national health insurance will not pay for the prescriptions nor for the tests which the guidelines will indicate, will be a deterrent for pill sales in general. The fact that teenagers will have to submit to these tests, and pay about $700 a year for the pills and tests, will be another deterrent. But as you know, once the camel has his nose under the tent, what follows is not so predictable.”

Commenting on the Japanese government’s recent approval of the pill, Father Anthony Zimmerman, a long-time resident of Japan, observed, “The fact that national health insurance will not pay for the prescriptions nor for the tests which the guidelines will indicate, will be a deterrent for pill sales in general. The fact that teenagers will have to submit to these tests, and pay about $700 a year for the pills and tests, will be another deterrent. But as you know, once the camel has his nose under the tent, what follows is not so predictable.”

(Reading: e-mail to Judith Adams from Fr. Anthony Zimmerman, 6/30/99)

emergency contraception

MORNING AFTER PILL AND RAPE: Paul Byrne, M.D., has noted that “no studies have shown that synthetic ‘hormones’ administered in the day or so prior to ovulation can stop ovulation. The inhibition of ovulation has been demonstrated only when small doses are taken daily beginning early in the ovulatory cycle. It is an argument from imagination to administer this anti-ovulatory hormone to a victim of rape. The abortifacient effect . . . is the one that is occurring.”

MORNING AFTER PILL AND RAPE: Paul Byrne, M.D., has noted that “no studies have shown that synthetic ‘hormones’ administered in the day or so prior to ovulation can stop ovulation. The inhibition of ovulation has been demonstrated only when small doses are taken daily beginning early in the ovulatory cycle. It is an argument from imagination to administer this anti-ovulatory hormone to a victim of rape. The abortifacient effect . . . is the one that is occurring.”

MORNING AFTER PILL AND RAPE: Paul Byrne, M.D., has noted that “no studies have shown that synthetic ‘hormones’ administered in the day or so prior to ovulation can stop ovulation. The inhibition of ovulation has been demonstrated only when small doses are taken daily beginning early in the ovulatory cycle. It is an argument from imagination to administer this anti-ovulatory hormone to a victim of rape. The abortifacient effect . . . is the one that is occurring.”

(Reading: e-mail from Paul A. Byrne, M.D., to Nancy Valko, R.N., 7/4/99)

PREVEN: The Food and Drug Administration has approved a revised labeling for Preven, which means that the “black box warning” will be removed. This warning had been required by the FDA to highlight specific concerns regarding side effects, but now those concerns are no longer pertinent. Preven manufacturer Gynetics had petitioned the FDA for this change.

(Reading: “FDA Reduces Warnings on Preven Emergency Contraceptive Kit,” Gynetics news release, 6/28/99)

imposed death

ECONOMICS: Kathleen Foley, M.D., wrote in the Journal of the American Medical Association, “hospices vary in their willingness to provide anti-tumor palliative therapies, such as radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is considered an active antitumor treatment, and because hospices have a daily capitated rate, most patients must give up the hospice benefit to receive radiation therapy.” This is pertinent to Oregon, according to Physicians for Compassionate Care spokesman William Toffler, M.D. “In Oregon, where suicide is fully funded by most HMOs and hospice is often capitated through HMOs, economic factors such as these can pressure the seriously ill and disabled toward assisted suicide.”

ECONOMICS: Kathleen Foley, M.D., wrote in the Journal of the American Medical Association, “hospices vary in their willingness to provide anti-tumor palliative therapies, such as radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is considered an active antitumor treatment, and because hospices have a daily capitated rate, most patients must give up the hospice benefit to receive radiation therapy.” This is pertinent to Oregon, according to Physicians for Compassionate Care spokesman William Toffler, M.D. “In Oregon, where suicide is fully funded by most HMOs and hospice is often capitated through HMOs, economic factors such as these can pressure the seriously ill and disabled toward assisted suicide.”

ECONOMICS: Kathleen Foley, M.D., wrote in the Journal of the American Medical Association, “hospices vary in their willingness to provide anti-tumor palliative therapies, such as radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is considered an active antitumor treatment, and because hospices have a daily capitated rate, most patients must give up the hospice benefit to receive radiation therapy.” This is pertinent to Oregon, according to Physicians for Compassionate Care spokesman William Toffler, M.D. “In Oregon, where suicide is fully funded by most HMOs and hospice is often capitated through HMOs, economic factors such as these can pressure the seriously ill and disabled toward assisted suicide.”

(Reading: “A 44-Year-Old Woman With Severe Pain at the End Of Life,” JAMA, 5/26/99, pp. 1937-1945; e-mail from Nancy Valko, R.N. 6/14/99; Physicians for Compassionate Care, P.O. Box 6042, Portland, Oregon 97228, 503-533-8154)

GREAT BRITAIN: The British Medical Association has issued “ethical guidance on withdrawal of treatment” including the following statement: “Life prolonging treatment refers to all treatment which has the potential to postpone the patient’s death and includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation, artificial ventilation, specialized treatments such as chemotherapy or dialysis, antibiotics and artificial nutrition and hydration.”

(Reading: “BMA Publishes New Ethical Guidance on Withdrawal of Treatment,” BMA news release, 6/23/99; “Withholding and Withdrawing Life-Prolonging Medical Treatment,” Part 5)

physician-assisted suicide

EMOTIONAL INVOLVEMENT: In April 1999, Oregon’s Dr. Peter Reagan wrote an essay in The Lancet entitled “Helen.” Reagan assisted a patient in committing suicide and wrote, “her death exemplified the elements of determination, courage, pride, compassion, honesty, family devotion and good humor that embody the best in people.” Responding to the article, George Dodds of Great Britain wrote, “Reagan has betrayed the fundamental principle of a physician and has connived at the deliberate killing of an ill old woman who was his patient and who should have expected better.” But Reagan responded, “I am grateful to my co-workers, the consultants, the hospice carers, my spouse and to the Oregon law itself, for keeping me on track.”

EMOTIONAL INVOLVEMENT: In April 1999, Oregon’s Dr. Peter Reagan wrote an essay in The Lancet entitled “Helen.” Reagan assisted a patient in committing suicide and wrote, “her death exemplified the elements of determination, courage, pride, compassion, honesty, family devotion and good humor that embody the best in people.” Responding to the article, George Dodds of Great Britain wrote, “Reagan has betrayed the fundamental principle of a physician and has connived at the deliberate killing of an ill old woman who was his patient and who should have expected better.” But Reagan responded, “I am grateful to my co-workers, the consultants, the hospice carers, my spouse and to the Oregon law itself, for keeping me on track.”

EMOTIONAL INVOLVEMENT: In April 1999, Oregon’s Dr. Peter Reagan wrote an essay in The Lancet entitled “Helen.” Reagan assisted a patient in committing suicide and wrote, “her death exemplified the elements of determination, courage, pride, compassion, honesty, family devotion and good humor that embody the best in people.” Responding to the article, George Dodds of Great Britain wrote, “Reagan has betrayed the fundamental principle of a physician and has connived at the deliberate killing of an ill old woman who was his patient and who should have expected better.” But Reagan responded, “I am grateful to my co-workers, the consultants, the hospice carers, my spouse and to the Oregon law itself, for keeping me on track.”

(Reading: “Helen,” The Lancet, 4/10/99, pp. 1265-1267; “Emotional Involvement in Physician-Assisted Suicide,” The Lancet, 6/26/99, p. 2248)

population control

DONALD DUCK IN CHILE: Population Research Institute has reported on a 1968 Disney propaganda cartoon featuring Donald Duck, which is currently being circulated in Chile by the Chilean affiliate of Planned Parenthood. For details, contact “>Scott Weinberg; to protest the use of the film and query Disney’s intention to require an immediate halt to its use in Chile, contact the Walt Disney Company, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521, or call 818-560-1000 or e-mail them at their web site)

DONALD DUCK IN CHILE: Population Research Institute has reported on a 1968 Disney propaganda cartoon featuring Donald Duck, which is currently being circulated in Chile by the Chilean affiliate of Planned Parenthood. For details, contact “>Scott Weinberg; to protest the use of the film and query Disney’s intention to require an immediate halt to its use in Chile, contact the Walt Disney Company, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521, or call 818-560-1000 or e-mail them at their web site)

DONALD DUCK IN CHILE: Population Research Institute has reported on a 1968 Disney propaganda cartoon featuring Donald Duck, which is currently being circulated in Chile by the Chilean affiliate of Planned Parenthood. For details, contact “>Scott Weinberg; to protest the use of the film and query Disney’s intention to require an immediate halt to its use in Chile, contact the Walt Disney Company, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521, or call 818-560-1000 or e-mail them at their web site)

reproductive health

FACTS: International Planned Parenthood recently reported, via the BBC, “an estimated 114 million acts of sexual intercourse take place in the world every day.”

FACTS: International Planned Parenthood recently reported, via the BBC, “an estimated 114 million acts of sexual intercourse take place in the world every day.”

FACTS: International Planned Parenthood recently reported, via the BBC, “an estimated 114 million acts of sexual intercourse take place in the world every day.”

NO COMMENT!

(Reading: “The Sexual Health Minefield,” BBC News, 6/29/99; also see International Planned Parenthood Foundation)

stem cell research

NATIONAL BIOETHICS ADVISORY COMMISSION APPROVES DESTRUCTIVE EMBRYONIC BABY RESEARCH! See commentary at the end of communique for a special report, Part I.

NATIONAL BIOETHICS ADVISORY COMMISSION APPROVES DESTRUCTIVE EMBRYONIC BABY RESEARCH! See commentary at the end of communique for a special report, Part I.

NATIONAL BIOETHICS ADVISORY COMMISSION APPROVES DESTRUCTIVE EMBRYONIC BABY RESEARCH! See commentary at the end of communique for a special report, Part I.

(Reading: “NBAC Votes Yes on Deaths of Embryonic Babies,” ALL news release, 6/29/99, ; “Advisory Panel Votes for Use of Embryonic Cells in Research,” New York Times, 6/29/99; also see NBAC)

united nations

OK ABORTION, OK PERVERSITY: Reports from many sources conclude that the United Nations Cairo +5 special session results are destructive to families around the world. The most comprehensive reports can be obtained from Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute; UNFPA and UN and from “>Susan Fryer, U. N. delegate representing pro-family WOOMB International.

OK ABORTION, OK PERVERSITY: Reports from many sources conclude that the United Nations Cairo +5 special session results are destructive to families around the world. The most comprehensive reports can be obtained from Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute; UNFPA and UN and from “>Susan Fryer, U. N. delegate representing pro-family WOOMB International.

OK ABORTION, OK PERVERSITY: Reports from many sources conclude that the United Nations Cairo +5 special session results are destructive to families around the world. The most comprehensive reports can be obtained from Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute; UNFPA and UN and from “>Susan Fryer, U. N. delegate representing pro-family WOOMB International.

you

GUADALUPE PROJECT: The mission: “to bring an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to every abortion clinic in the country and to ask for her intercession to stop the sacrifice of the unborn.” Sign up on their site.

GUADALUPE PROJECT: The mission: “to bring an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to every abortion clinic in the country and to ask for her intercession to stop the sacrifice of the unborn.” Sign up on their site.

GUADALUPE PROJECT: The mission: “to bring an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to every abortion clinic in the country and to ask for her intercession to stop the sacrifice of the unborn.” Sign up on their site.

RAMAH INTERNATIONAL: Serving women who hurt because they aborted their children, this group is lead by Sydna Masse, evangelist on the move to bring healing all across the globe. Check out the site.

zinger

CANADIAN PHYSICIANS CONFUSED: “Canadian doctors [57%] don’t want to perform medically assisted suicides, but a strong minority [40%] would want it for themselves and for family members who are terminally ill.”

CANADIAN PHYSICIANS CONFUSED: “Canadian doctors [57%] don’t want to perform medically assisted suicides, but a strong minority [40%] would want it for themselves and for family members who are terminally ill.”

CANADIAN PHYSICIANS CONFUSED: “Canadian doctors [57%] don’t want to perform medically assisted suicides, but a strong minority [40%] would want it for themselves and for family members who are terminally ill.”

(Reading: “Doctors Unwilling to Assist Suicides, But Many Want Option Themselves,” National Post [Canada], 6/28/99)

commentary

DESTRUCTIVE HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH: IS IT EVER ETHICAL?

DESTRUCTIVE HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH: IS IT EVER ETHICAL?

DESTRUCTIVE HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH: IS IT EVER ETHICAL?

Human embryonic stem cell research is unethical because:

1. good ends do not justify the use of unethical means. We may not kill one human being for the sake of another.
2. The use of unscrupulous means to find cures or treatments for diseases is to be opposed; there are ethical means available for doing such research. Stem cells are available from the cells of living human beings whose lives will not be taken in the process of acquiring those cells.
3. Recent history contains too many examples of the heinous violations of human beings in experimental medical research using unmistakable utilitarian justifications, e.g. the Nazi medical war crimes, the Tuskegee experiments using African Americans, U.S. government-sponsored radiation research, not to mention the current exposes involving research using mentally ill persons unable to provide informed consent.
4. Roe v. Wade is based on a fictitious right to privacy; the embryonic children to be used in destructive stem cell research do not live in their mothers. What law has given scientists the right to murder them?
5. Creation of “sub-classes” of human beings who are “going to die anyway” has led to disastrous violations of the human rights of human beings. Bioethicists like Peter Singer and Richard McCormick, S.J., have used words to rob these embryonic babies of their humanity.

Where is the outrage?

If you are concerned, you can read the Statement on Stem Cell Research.

reflection for prayer

He who knows what good things to give to his children exhorts us to ask, to seek and to knock. The more truly we believe, the more strongly we hope, and the more ardently we desire, the more generously we will receive. In our petitions we will receive more by sighs than by speech, more by tears than by words.

?Teresa of Avila

JAPAN: Commenting on the Japanese government’s recent approval of the pill, Father Anthony Zimmerman, a long-time resident of Japan, observed, “The fact that national health insurance will not pay for the prescriptions nor for the tests which the guidelines will indicate, will be a deterrent for pill sales in general. The fact that teenagers will have to submit to these tests, and pay about $700 a year for the pills and tests, will be another deterrent. But as you know, once the camel has his nose under the tent, what follows is not so predictable.”

(Reading: e-mail to Judith Adams from Fr. Anthony Zimmerman, 6/30/99)

emergency contraception

MORNING AFTER PILL AND RAPE: Paul Byrne, M.D., has noted that “no studies have shown that synthetic ‘hormones’ administered in the day or so prior to ovulation can stop ovulation. The inhibition of ovulation has been demonstrated only when small doses are taken daily beginning early in the ovulatory cycle. It is an argument from imagination to administer this anti-ovulatory hormone to a victim of rape. The abortifacient effect . . . is the one that is occurring.”

MORNING AFTER PILL AND RAPE: Paul Byrne, M.D., has noted that “no studies have shown that synthetic ‘hormones’ administered in the day or so prior to ovulation can stop ovulation. The inhibition of ovulation has been demonstrated only when small doses are taken daily beginning early in the ovulatory cycle. It is an argument from imagination to administer this anti-ovulatory hormone to a victim of rape. The abortifacient effect . . . is the one that is occurring.”

MORNING AFTER PILL AND RAPE: Paul Byrne, M.D., has noted that “no studies have shown that synthetic ‘hormones’ administered in the day or so prior to ovulation can stop ovulation. The inhibition of ovulation has been demonstrated only when small doses are taken daily beginning early in the ovulatory cycle. It is an argument from imagination to administer this anti-ovulatory hormone to a victim of rape. The abortifacient effect . . . is the one that is occurring.”

(Reading: e-mail from Paul A. Byrne, M.D., to Nancy Valko, R.N., 7/4/99)

PREVEN: The Food and Drug Administration has approved a revised labeling for Preven, which means that the “black box warning” will be removed. This warning had been required by the FDA to highlight specific concerns regarding side effects, but now those concerns are no longer pertinent. Preven manufacturer Gynetics had petitioned the FDA for this change.

(Reading: “FDA Reduces Warnings on Preven Emergency Contraceptive Kit,” Gynetics news release, 6/28/99)

imposed death

ECONOMICS: Kathleen Foley, M.D., wrote in the Journal of the American Medical Association, “hospices vary in their willingness to provide anti-tumor palliative therapies, such as radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is considered an active antitumor treatment, and because hospices have a daily capitated rate, most patients must give up the hospice benefit to receive radiation therapy.” This is pertinent to Oregon, according to Physicians for Compassionate Care spokesman William Toffler, M.D. “In Oregon, where suicide is fully funded by most HMOs and hospice is often capitated through HMOs, economic factors such as these can pressure the seriously ill and disabled toward assisted suicide.”

ECONOMICS: Kathleen Foley, M.D., wrote in the Journal of the American Medical Association, “hospices vary in their willingness to provide anti-tumor palliative therapies, such as radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is considered an active antitumor treatment, and because hospices have a daily capitated rate, most patients must give up the hospice benefit to receive radiation therapy.” This is pertinent to Oregon, according to Physicians for Compassionate Care spokesman William Toffler, M.D. “In Oregon, where suicide is fully funded by most HMOs and hospice is often capitated through HMOs, economic factors such as these can pressure the seriously ill and disabled toward assisted suicide.”

ECONOMICS: Kathleen Foley, M.D., wrote in the Journal of the American Medical Association, “hospices vary in their willingness to provide anti-tumor palliative therapies, such as radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is considered an active antitumor treatment, and because hospices have a daily capitated rate, most patients must give up the hospice benefit to receive radiation therapy.” This is pertinent to Oregon, according to Physicians for Compassionate Care spokesman William Toffler, M.D. “In Oregon, where suicide is fully funded by most HMOs and hospice is often capitated through HMOs, economic factors such as these can pressure the seriously ill and disabled toward assisted suicide.”

(Reading: “A 44-Year-Old Woman With Severe Pain at the End Of Life,” JAMA, 5/26/99, pp. 1937-1945; e-mail from Nancy Valko, R.N. 6/14/99; Physicians for Compassionate Care, P.O. Box 6042, Portland, Oregon 97228, 503-533-8154)

GREAT BRITAIN: The British Medical Association has issued “ethical guidance on withdrawal of treatment” including the following statement: “Life prolonging treatment refers to all treatment which has the potential to postpone the patient’s death and includes cardiopulmonary resuscitation, artificial ventilation, specialized treatments such as chemotherapy or dialysis, antibiotics and artificial nutrition and hydration.”

(Reading: “BMA Publishes New Ethical Guidance on Withdrawal of Treatment,” BMA news release, 6/23/99; “Withholding and Withdrawing Life-Prolonging Medical Treatment,” Part 5)

physician-assisted suicide

EMOTIONAL INVOLVEMENT: In April 1999, Oregon’s Dr. Peter Reagan wrote an essay in The Lancet entitled “Helen.” Reagan assisted a patient in committing suicide and wrote, “her death exemplified the elements of determination, courage, pride, compassion, honesty, family devotion and good humor that embody the best in people.” Responding to the article, George Dodds of Great Britain wrote, “Reagan has betrayed the fundamental principle of a physician and has connived at the deliberate killing of an ill old woman who was his patient and who should have expected better.” But Reagan responded, “I am grateful to my co-workers, the consultants, the hospice carers, my spouse and to the Oregon law itself, for keeping me on track.”

EMOTIONAL INVOLVEMENT: In April 1999, Oregon’s Dr. Peter Reagan wrote an essay in The Lancet entitled “Helen.” Reagan assisted a patient in committing suicide and wrote, “her death exemplified the elements of determination, courage, pride, compassion, honesty, family devotion and good humor that embody the best in people.” Responding to the article, George Dodds of Great Britain wrote, “Reagan has betrayed the fundamental principle of a physician and has connived at the deliberate killing of an ill old woman who was his patient and who should have expected better.” But Reagan responded, “I am grateful to my co-workers, the consultants, the hospice carers, my spouse and to the Oregon law itself, for keeping me on track.”

EMOTIONAL INVOLVEMENT: In April 1999, Oregon’s Dr. Peter Reagan wrote an essay in The Lancet entitled “Helen.” Reagan assisted a patient in committing suicide and wrote, “her death exemplified the elements of determination, courage, pride, compassion, honesty, family devotion and good humor that embody the best in people.” Responding to the article, George Dodds of Great Britain wrote, “Reagan has betrayed the fundamental principle of a physician and has connived at the deliberate killing of an ill old woman who was his patient and who should have expected better.” But Reagan responded, “I am grateful to my co-workers, the consultants, the hospice carers, my spouse and to the Oregon law itself, for keeping me on track.”

(Reading: “Helen,” The Lancet, 4/10/99, pp. 1265-1267; “Emotional Involvement in Physician-Assisted Suicide,” The Lancet, 6/26/99, p. 2248)

population control

DONALD DUCK IN CHILE: Population Research Institute has reported on a 1968 Disney propaganda cartoon featuring Donald Duck, which is currently being circulated in Chile by the Chilean affiliate of Planned Parenthood. For details, contact “>Scott Weinberg; to protest the use of the film and query Disney’s intention to require an immediate halt to its use in Chile, contact the Walt Disney Company, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521, or call 818-560-1000 or e-mail them at their web site)

DONALD DUCK IN CHILE: Population Research Institute has reported on a 1968 Disney propaganda cartoon featuring Donald Duck, which is currently being circulated in Chile by the Chilean affiliate of Planned Parenthood. For details, contact “>Scott Weinberg; to protest the use of the film and query Disney’s intention to require an immediate halt to its use in Chile, contact the Walt Disney Company, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521, or call 818-560-1000 or e-mail them at their web site)

DONALD DUCK IN CHILE: Population Research Institute has reported on a 1968 Disney propaganda cartoon featuring Donald Duck, which is currently being circulated in Chile by the Chilean affiliate of Planned Parenthood. For details, contact “>Scott Weinberg; to protest the use of the film and query Disney’s intention to require an immediate halt to its use in Chile, contact the Walt Disney Company, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521, or call 818-560-1000 or e-mail them at their web site)

reproductive health

FACTS: International Planned Parenthood recently reported, via the BBC, “an estimated 114 million acts of sexual intercourse take place in the world every day.”

FACTS: International Planned Parenthood recently reported, via the BBC, “an estimated 114 million acts of sexual intercourse take place in the world every day.”

FACTS: International Planned Parenthood recently reported, via the BBC, “an estimated 114 million acts of sexual intercourse take place in the world every day.”

NO COMMENT!

(Reading: “The Sexual Health Minefield,” BBC News, 6/29/99; also see International Planned Parenthood Foundation)

stem cell research

NATIONAL BIOETHICS ADVISORY COMMISSION APPROVES DESTRUCTIVE EMBRYONIC BABY RESEARCH! See commentary at the end of communique for a special report, Part I.

NATIONAL BIOETHICS ADVISORY COMMISSION APPROVES DESTRUCTIVE EMBRYONIC BABY RESEARCH! See commentary at the end of communique for a special report, Part I.

NATIONAL BIOETHICS ADVISORY COMMISSION APPROVES DESTRUCTIVE EMBRYONIC BABY RESEARCH! See commentary at the end of communique for a special report, Part I.

(Reading: “NBAC Votes Yes on Deaths of Embryonic Babies,” ALL news release, 6/29/99, ; “Advisory Panel Votes for Use of Embryonic Cells in Research,” New York Times, 6/29/99; also see NBAC)

united nations

OK ABORTION, OK PERVERSITY: Reports from many sources conclude that the United Nations Cairo +5 special session results are destructive to families around the world. The most comprehensive reports can be obtained from Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute; UNFPA and UN and from “>Susan Fryer, U. N. delegate representing pro-family WOOMB International.

OK ABORTION, OK PERVERSITY: Reports from many sources conclude that the United Nations Cairo +5 special session results are destructive to families around the world. The most comprehensive reports can be obtained from Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute; UNFPA and UN and from “>Susan Fryer, U. N. delegate representing pro-family WOOMB International.

OK ABORTION, OK PERVERSITY: Reports from many sources conclude that the United Nations Cairo +5 special session results are destructive to families around the world. The most comprehensive reports can be obtained from Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute; UNFPA and UN and from “>Susan Fryer, U. N. delegate representing pro-family WOOMB International.

you

GUADALUPE PROJECT: The mission: “to bring an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to every abortion clinic in the country and to ask for her intercession to stop the sacrifice of the unborn.” Sign up on their site.

GUADALUPE PROJECT: The mission: “to bring an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to every abortion clinic in the country and to ask for her intercession to stop the sacrifice of the unborn.” Sign up on their site.

GUADALUPE PROJECT: The mission: “to bring an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe to every abortion clinic in the country and to ask for her intercession to stop the sacrifice of the unborn.” Sign up on their site.

RAMAH INTERNATIONAL: Serving women who hurt because they aborted their children, this group is lead by Sydna Masse, evangelist on the move to bring healing all across the globe. Check out the site.

zinger

CANADIAN PHYSICIANS CONFUSED: “Canadian doctors [57%] don’t want to perform medically assisted suicides, but a strong minority [40%] would want it for themselves and for family members who are terminally ill.”

CANADIAN PHYSICIANS CONFUSED: “Canadian doctors [57%] don’t want to perform medically assisted suicides, but a strong minority [40%] would want it for themselves and for family members who are terminally ill.”

CANADIAN PHYSICIANS CONFUSED: “Canadian doctors [57%] don’t want to perform medically assisted suicides, but a strong minority [40%] would want it for themselves and for family members who are terminally ill.”

(Reading: “Doctors Unwilling to Assist Suicides, But Many Want Option Themselves,” National Post [Canada], 6/28/99)

commentary

DESTRUCTIVE HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH: IS IT EVER ETHICAL?

DESTRUCTIVE HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH: IS IT EVER ETHICAL?

DESTRUCTIVE HUMAN EMBRYONIC STEM CELL RESEARCH: IS IT EVER ETHICAL?

Human embryonic stem cell research is unethical because:

1. good ends do not justify the use of unethical means. We may not kill one human being for the sake of another.
2. The use of unscrupulous means to find cures or treatments for diseases is to be opposed; there are ethical means available for doing such research. Stem cells are available from the cells of living human beings whose lives will not be taken in the process of acquiring those cells.
3. Recent history contains too many examples of the heinous violations of human beings in experimental medical research using unmistakable utilitarian justifications, e.g. the Nazi medical war crimes, the Tuskegee experiments using African Americans, U.S. government-sponsored radiation research, not to mention the current exposes involving research using mentally ill persons unable to provide informed consent.
4. Roe v. Wade is based on a fictitious right to privacy; the embryonic children to be used in destructive stem cell research do not live in their mothers. What law has given scientists the right to murder them?
5. Creation of “sub-classes” of human beings who are “going to die anyway” has led to disastrous violations of the human rights of human beings. Bioethicists like Peter Singer and Richard McCormick, S.J., have used words to rob these embryonic babies of their humanity.

Where is the outrage?

If you are concerned, you can read the Statement on Stem Cell Research.

reflection for prayer

He who knows what good things to give to his children exhorts us to ask, to seek and to knock. The more truly we believe, the more strongly we hope, and the more ardently we desire, the more generously we will receive. In our petitions we will receive more by sighs than by speech, more by tears than by words.

?Teresa of Avila