Pro-Life Times, March 2001

Nurse sacked over morning-after pill

By Paul Burnell

A pro-life nurse has lost her job at a general practice because she refused to administer the morning-after pill. The nurse, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, contacted SPUC after the practice manager told her that administering the abortifacient drug was a requirement of the post. She is currently receiving legal support from the society for a possible employment tribunal action.

An SPUC spokesman said that the case raised important questions about the right of medical staff to work without denying the demands of conscience. "Currently those who might participate in abortion under the 1967 Abortion Act have a guaranteed legal right to opt out.

"The right of conscientious objection under the Abortion Act does not cover the morning-after pill. Although the morning-after pill is known to cause an early abortion in many instances, it is presented officially under the guise of emergency contraception.

"This case is not the only example of the way in which the medical establishment is trying to margi-nalise those who are against abortion. Doctors who want to exercise their right to opt out of referring women for an abortion under the 1967 act are increasingly under pressure to refer patients to a doctor who will oblige."

The boy who brings joy

When a new blood test to detect Down's syndrome before birth was reported in The Lancet medical journal last November, Richard and Rosie Withers from Newport, Gwent, had this to say: "Andrew, our son, has personal experience of living with Down's syndrome. It seems to give him an extraordinary capacity to love others. We would be diminished by his absence. The world would not be a better place should we choose to eradicate these beautiful people. They are not to be feared - don't choose to kill them before they are born."

Vote to end the tyranny of the majority

By John Smeaton, national director, SPUC

For three decades SPUC has fought to promote right to life issues at general elections. With millions of lives threatened in modern Britain from the evils of abortion, human embryo experimentation (on IVF and cloned embryos) and from euthanasia, who can possibly doubt that these are not fundamental matters on which to challenge parliamentary candidates?

Of course, there are other important issues on which to judge candidates: education, the economy, housing, environmental issues, to name but a few. But when the state uses its democratic mandate as a justification for killing certain citizens--born or unborn, handicapped or able-bodied--it becomes a tyranny of the majority. In the last century tyrannical states--many of them dominated by extreme ideologies and dictators--killed more citizens than in all previous recorded history.

Under the present Parliament, dominated by pro-abortion MPs of various hues, Britain's abortion-toll has reached and passed 5 million. Our country looks ever more like a tyranny of the majority. This impression is reinforced by votes to permit experiments on cloned human embryos, and orders pushed through Parliament without a vote to permit the sale of abortion-inducing morning-after pills in pharmacies and their free distribution in schools.

There can be no true justice in society when the right to life of its citizens is being deliberately undermined by members of parliament, not to mention the welfare of children who, regardless of the health risks, are being given powerful drugs at school which can have the effect of inducing an early abortion.

We need your help--to challenge parliamentary candidates with simple, straightforward questions and to carry out effective educational campaigns in your area between now and the general election. Please help us to make the right to life a voting issue in your constituency. Contact me at the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, 5-6 St Matthew Street, London, SW1P 2JT, Tel: (020) 7222 5845, Fax: (020) 7222 0630, spucsmeaton@cwcom.net.

Please say the prayer below prepared by Philippa Stroud, our guest columnist.

An adaptation of Psalm 82

Father you preside in the great assembly
You give judgements among the "gods";
I hear you speak to my heart and say,
"How long will you defend the unjust
And show partiality to the wicked?"
Forgive us Father where we have not
Used our strength, time and energy to defend
Those whom you call us to defend and where we have
Not shown partiality to the weak and vulnerable.
Strengthen us, I pray, to live each day with your values and priorities.
Amen

Scientists condemn human cloning

by staff reporter

Three UK scientists have condemned research on cloned human embryos on ethical and medical grounds.

Neil Scolding, Burden professor of clinical neuroscience at the University of Bristol, told the Pro-Life Times: "There are alternatives to using cloned tissue to repair areas of the brain. Other sources of stem cells are perfectly valid. Adult bone marrow in particular contains stem cells of enormous therapeutic potential."

Professor Scolding dismissed claims made during recent debates in Parliament, that 'therapeutic cloning' was the only way to make advances in the treatment of conditions such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.

John Bryant, professor of cell and molecular biology at the University of Exeter, opposes cloning of human embryo cells because he considers that it turns the human embryo into a commodity. He said: "Adult stem cell research is the route we should support, especially as there is very encouraging data from several leading laboratories on the possibility of repairing brain tissue using adult stem cells."

Dr Tim Wells, lecturer in neurosciences at Cardiff University, also condemns therapeutic cloning of human embryos: "It is in my opinion immoral to terminate the life of one human being to advance the existence of another. I cannot defend therapeutic cloning because of the destruction of human beings which is implicit in the technique."

Euthanasia fightback started by Euro MPs

by John Forest

Pro-life Euro MPs have launched a counter-initiative against moves to legalise euthanasia in Belgium and Holland. Irish MEP Dana is among those who will be backing the motion, due to be tabled as the Pro-Life Times went to press, which expressed concern about the new legislation in the low countries.

It states that human dignity is better served by "continuous improvement and availability of palliative and appropriate care" and calls on EU member states to improve education in pain therapy for medical professionals and to provide the same standard of care found in hospices for the terminally ill in national health systems.

The resolution urges the European Commission to increase research into pain therapy. It also calls for better co-ordination among EU members on pain research, and calls upon the EU president to forward the resolution to member states, including the Dutch and Belgian governments.

News in brief

Washington, DC

President George W Bush has reinstated the pro-life Mexico City policy that stops taxpayers' money from funding organisations that promote or perform abortions outside the USA. The move, which came in an executive memorandum to the US Agency for International Development, was his first major policy decision and reverses the Clinton administration's pro-abortion position. (Pro-Life Infonet)

Canada

Superstar Céline Dion, has told how she owes her life to a Catholic priest who persuaded her mother not to have her aborted. Ms Dion, whose theme from Titanic topped charts worldwide, said she was the family's 14th child and her mother was devastated when she found she was pregnant. The priest "told her that she had no right to go against nature." (EWTN)

New York

UNICEF, the United Nations children's agency, has been accused of trying to limit the role of pro-life campaigns. UNICEF announced that only two representatives of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) may participate in the meeting. Given the small number of approved pro-life NGOs, this would restrict the number of pro-lifers able to lobby delegates. (C-FAM)

London

Shadow health spokesman Dr Liam Fox, has called for "a huge restriction, if not abolition" of abortion in the Conservative Christian Fellowship's prayer diary. (The Times)

South Africa

The morning-after-pill is now available making South Africa the first country to by-pass prescription entirely. The drug will be available at pharmarcists and will sell at 50 Rand (approx £4.50).

Human cloning: what you need to know

by Anthony Ozimic

Last month, the United Kingdom became the first country in the world to pass legislation to allow research on cloned human embryos. Human cloning involves the deliberate creation, exploitation and destruction of human life.

What is human cloning?

We are all familiar with Dolly, the sheep, which was cloned in 1997. Human cloning means using the same technique to create carbon copies of human beings. A cell is taken from the person to be cloned. The DNA (that person's unique genetic signature) is then fused with an empty human egg cell to create a cloned embryo.

Isn't an embryo just a clump of cells?

Human embryos are distinctively human from the moment of their creation, when the child's sex, eye and hair colour, etc., are determined. The embryo is not just a blueprint for a new human being, like a blueprint for building a house. After a house is built, a blueprint remains separate, but an embryo is the blueprint, the builder and the house all in one.

Does this mean that one day there could be cloned babies?

Yes. Even pro-cloning scientists such as Lord (Robert) Winston (Superhuman, BBC) admit that so-called therapeutic cloning--creating embryos for research--will lead to 'reproductive cloning', when a cloned embryo is implanted in a womb and brought to birth.

Is human cloning banned in the UK?

No--not by law. The embryo licensing authority, the HFEA, can grant licences to create cloned human embryos, grow them for up to 14 days and extract stem cells from them for research into treatments for what they regard as serious diseases. The remains of the embryo are discarded once the 'useful' element is removed.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are a type of primitive cell which can develop into various types of tissue. They can be found in early human embryos and in most adult tissue. It may also be possible to take mature adult cells and 'turn back the clock', making them in to stem cells again.

Why do scientists want to use stem cells?

Scientists want to explore the potential of stem cells to treat degenerative conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, dementia and stroke. Many scientists and politicians have been misled into believing that the only way to cure these conditions will be to plunder cloned embryos for their stem cells and inject them into the patient.

Is there an ethical alternative to using cloned human embryos?

Yes. Stem cells can be obtained from adults or from the umbilical cords of new-born babies. The government's experts admit that adult stem cells may prove to be as good as, if not more promising than, stem cells from embryos.

How can I help to fight human cloning?

To help SPUC's campaign against human cloning, find out how the candidates for your constituency stand on the issue. Contact SPUC's general election campaign centre, telephone (020) 7222 5845, fax (020) 7222 3942 or email spucpolitical@cwcom.net for a general election action pack.

From the desk of Joanna Bogle

Common sense from the young

Did you see the excellent letter written by two 18 year-old girls, Catherine Underwood and Emilia Klepacka and a group of their friends, about the morning-after pill which appeared in the Daily Mail on 15 January? This is an extract from their letter: "From a teenager's point of view,contraceptives, abortifacients such as the morning-after pill and abortion, far from liberating us, are the central cause of the mess we're in. The Government seems determined to carry on fuelling the problem. If we were given £60 million of taxpayers money to reduce teenage pregnancy our policies would be a tad different.

"...We would sue the family planning agencies for their use of public money to exploit school curricula and staff in the incessant promotion of their own products and of lifestyles which, whilst increasing their market, cause untold damage to our peers.

"...So let's scrap the morning-after pill ...Come on, you oh so liberated, sex-obsessed sixties generation--if you really care about young people, face up to the truth and let us keep our dignity." Reading this made me want to cheer! Let's hear more from these young people.

'Building a pro-life Scotland' - SPUC Scottish Conference

Pro-lifers north of the border should get this date in their diaries straight away; 31 March, 10 am to 3.30 pm. The venue is Glasgow Caledonian University. Speakers include Peter Garrett on cloning and Anne Williams talking about the morning-after pill. Tickets are £5 and numbers are limited. For more information please call (0141) 221 2094.

Garden party

Following last year's great success, there will be another garden party at Hatfield House in aid of pro-life charities. If you missed this last year, make it a must this year. It's a really good day out for all the family, with glorious grounds, a delicious tea, stalls selling everything from books, antiques and paintings to cakes, jam and toys. Lady Salisbury hosts this event at one of England's most magnificent stately homes. The date is 7 April. Details from (020) 7730 2800

A pro-life hero

Pope John Paul II is one of the great pro-life heroes of our times. George Weigel has written his biography, and will be giving a lecture at Westminster Cathedral on 7 March. The talk starts at 7.00 pm and admission is free. Mr Weigel will be at Oxford University to talk to students on 6 March, 6.00 pm at the chaplaincy. On Friday 9 March, Cardinal Winning will be introducing Mr Weigel's lecture at the Eyre Hall in Glasgow at 7.30 pm. For more information on all three events call Jack Valero on (020) 7221 2715.

Armour for parents

Parents need to be well-informed these days. If the morning-after pill is to be offered to girls as young as 11, you need to arm yourselves in advance so that you can help your own children resist this culture. The Fight for the Family--the adults behind children's rights by Lynette Burrows is now available at £3 from Family and Youth Concern. You can telephone on (020) 7401 5480 or email fameduc@aol.com.

Good reading for young girls

As some of you may know, when I'm not a campaigner, I'm a children's author, writing under the name of Julia Blythe. My We didn't mean to start a school is aimed at girls aged nine and upwards. If you would like a copy please write to me at the Pro-Life Times, 5-6 St Matthew Street, London, SW1P 2JT, enclosing a cheque for £5.95 made payable to J Bogle. I'll donate any profits to the pro-life cause. Incidentally, I also go to schools to talk about books and reading. If you are a parent, teacher or governor, are you interested? Contact me at the Pro-Life Times.

Don't take abortion into the classroom

by Dominic Baster

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children is asking all local councils to urge headteachers and school governors not to make the morning-after pill available in their schools. Secondary schools in Derbyshire, Oxfordshire and Kent are among those which are to allow school nurses to distribute morning-after pills to girls as young as 11 without parental knowledge under new government policy.

Mr Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, Conservative leader of Kent County Council, expressed his great concern at the news but conceded that it was the responsibility of the headteacher and governors of each school. He told the Pro-Life Times: "All the council can do is to urge health authorities to consider the social and moral consequences of their actions. I am very concerned about the issue of disclosure and that parents, particularly of young teenage girls, should be informed."

Katherine Hampton, head of SPUC's student division, said: "Distributing morning-after pills in schools brings abortion into the classroom and endangers the health of vulnerable girls. The availability of the morning-after pill has not reduced the number of surgical abortions or teenage pregnancies."

NI pro-lifers urged: 'value your vote'

By Andy Johnson

Northern Ireland pro-lifers have been urged to form a united front as the pressure grows to introduce abortion into the province. Although most mainstream parties have a pro-life line, there are signs of a push from parties linked to paramilitaries and the Women's Coalition. On the Unionist side the Progressive Unionist Party is pro-choice, while in the Nationalist community Sinn Féin has backed guidelines issued by International Planned Parenthood Federation - the worldwide giant for promoting abortions.

"Value your vote," said Mrs Betty Gibson, chairman of SPUC Northern Ireland, in a pre-election message. Mrs Gibson said that the majority of people in Northern Ireland were opposed to abortion on demand and the Northern Ireland Assembly had voted to oppose abortion. She said there was no room for complacency, adding: "You need to pin down each candidate. You cannot take anything for granted."

The gift of life in 3D

By Staff Reporter Mums and dads will be able to see their baby in the womb in a 3D image thanks to a new scanning technology produced by electronics giant Siemens. The company claims the scanner will help improve the bonding between parents and the baby. The scanner will also give doctors a new "diagnostic tool to detect and treat conditions such as foetal tumours, spina bifida, cleft lip/palate and polydactyly."

Alison Davis, co-ordinator of the SPUC Handicap Division, said, "If the 3D scanner will help treat disabling conditions it will be a positive development. However, Siemens cannot dictate how information from their scans is used. The Abortion Act allows babies who are found to be disabled to be aborted up to the moment of birth, so a 3D scan detecting a disability could still lead to the baby being aborted."