Showing posts with label news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label news. Show all posts

Thursday 2 August 2012

Details of Chinese rubbish collector who saved and raised 30 abandoned babies emerge

Lou Xiaoying
Details of Chinese rubbish collector who saved and raised 30 abandoned babies emerge
Details of the story of a Chinese rubbish collector who saved and raised 30 abandoned babies have emerged. Lou Xiaoying, now 88, and her late husband Li Zin kept four of the children and passed the others onto friends and family. One admirer of Lou's work commented: "She is shaming to governments, schools and people who stand by and do nothing. She has no money or power but she saved children" [Mail, 30 July]

Other stories:

Abortion
  • Gestational limits are the wrong approach, says leading Canadian pro-life group [Interim, 2 August]
  • Pre-natal Down's syndrome testing gets go-ahead in Switzerland [Mail, 30 July]
Euthanasia
  • English judge rules that life-support should be removed from brain-damaged child [Mail, 1 August]
Population
  • Forced abortion opponent Chen Guangcheng welcomed at US Congress [AP, 2 August]
Sexual ethics
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Wednesday 1 August 2012

Powerful incentives protect one-child policy

Powerful incentives protect one-child policy
A British academic has written that powerful financial and personal incentives for local officials will ensure forced abortions continue in mainland China. Dr Jackie Sheehan, associate professor of Nottingham University's School of Contemporary Chinese Studies, said: "Coercion and violence are integral parts of the system ... Officials lose points for every out-of-quota birth in their area and earn cash bonuses for every abortion and sterilisation they enforce ... [D]esperate officials resort to forced abortions and sterilisations." [South China Morning Post, 25 July] Anthony Ozimic, SPUC's communications manager, commented: "Dr Sheehan's analysis gives the lie to the claim by Western governments and the worldwide abortion lobby that the one-child policy is not intrinsically abusive and is capable of reform."

Other stories:

Euthanasia
Embryology
  • Maltese bishops call for natural solutions to infertility as country proposes first-ever IVF law [LifeSiteNews.com, 31 July] 
Population
Sexual ethics
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Tuesday 31 July 2012

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Tue 31 July

Top story:

Donegal county council back call opposing abortion legislation
The Donegal Daily reports that a motion has been passed by Donegal County Council opposing any form of legislation on abortion. The council resolved that: “In keeping with the will of the Irish people, as emphatically expressed in the referendum of 1983, Donegal County Council opposes any form of legalisation of abortion in any circumstances”. 17 councillors backed the motion, 6 abstained and one voted against. [Pat Buckley, 31 July]

Other stories:

Abortion
Embryology
Euthanasia
Population
  • Iranian authorities encourage families to have more babies [BBC, 30 July]
Sexual ethics
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Thursday 26 July 2012

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Wed 25 July

Top story:

MPs who vote for Cameron gay marriage pledge will be punished at election time
MPs who vote for David Cameron's gay marriage pledge will be punished at the general election, says SPUC. SPUC was responding to Mr Cameron's speech, reported by The Telegraph http://goo.gl/fNQJn in which he promised to enshrine same-sex marriage in law before the next general election in 2015. John Smeaton, SPUC's chief executive, commented: "There are numerous reports that the Conservative party is already losing huge numbers of voters, members and activists because of Mr Cameron's foolish support of same-sex marriage. SPUC and its colleagues in many pro-family, Christian and Muslim groups, representing countless thousands of supporters and activists up and down the country, will ensure that same-sex marriage becomes a big general election issue, especially in marginal constituencies." [SPUC, 25 July]

Other stories:

Abortion
  • Disability no longer to be legal ground for abortion, announces Spanish government [ThinkSpain, 22 July]
Sexual ethics
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Tuesday 24 July 2012

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Tue 24 July

Top story:

SPUC welcomes new Catholic archbishop of Glasgow
SPUC has welcomed the appointment of Bishop Philip Tartaglia as the new Catholic archbishop of Glasgow. John Smeaton, SPUC’s chief executive, commented: “Archbishop-elect Tartaglia has been outspoken in the defence of the sanctity of human life, as well as the dignity of the family based solely on marriage between one man and one woman. We at SPUC look forward to supporting Archbishop-elect Tartaglia in his pro-life and pro-family ministry in the coming, challenging years." [SPUC, 24 July]

Other stories:

Abortion
Sexual ethics
General
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Wednesday 18 July 2012

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Wed 18 July

Top stories:

Mayor of Tower Hamlets to investigate explicit sex education programme in schools
The mayor of Tower Hamlets in east London has told parents that he will order an investigation into how £80,000 was spent on training and resources for an explicit sex and relationships education (SRE) programme for schools in the borough. Representatives from Tower Hamlets Parents' Action Group on SRE presented a petition of over 10,000 signatures from local people to Mayor Luthfur Rahman. Antonia Tully of the Safe at School campaign has supported the parents throughout the campaign. [SPUC, 17 July]

SPUC releases "Contraceptives: what you need to know: birth-control (‘contraception’) methods which can cause abortion"
SPUC has released a new leaflet entitled "Contraceptives: what you need to know: birth-control (‘contraception’) methods which can cause abortion". This much-needed document, based on extensive research undertaken by the Southern Cross Bioethics Institute (SCBI), gives readers the most up-to-date information on how certain forms of ‘birth control’ operate and whether they have an abortifacient effect. More in-depth information can be found in SPUC's paper "Birth control methods which can cause abortion" [SPUC, 16 July]

Other stories:

Abortion
  • Stop using terms 'baby' and 'unborn child', they’re cells, says US abortion doctor [LifeNews.com, 17 July]
Embryology
Population
  • Doctors suspended in India's Rajasthan for 'gender tests' [BBC, 17 July]
  • UK statistics show population up in last decade [BBC, 16 July]
Sexual ethics
To subscribe to SPUC's email information services, please visit www.spuc.org.uk/em-signup. The reliability of the news herein is dependent on that of the cited sources, which are paraphrased rather than quoted. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the society. © Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, 2012

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Monday 2 July 2012

Must-read pro-life news-stories, 2 July

Top stories:

Number of IVF babies passes 5m worldwide 
The number of babies born following conception via IVF has reached five million worldwide, according to estimates. Around 100,000 IVF babies are estimated to have been born in the UK since the first IVF baby was born in 1978. [Mail, 2 July] Anthony Ozimic, SPUC's communications manager, commented: "What is largely overlooked is that many millions more embryonic children have been killed following IVF, a quality-controlled process which is also intrinsically abusive of human beings. If the countless millions of pounds given to IVF had been given to the much-more successful ethical alternatives, many more children would have been born."

Other stories:

Abortion
  • Prince secures landslide victory in referendum on royal powers including abortion veto [Independent, 2 July]
Euthanasia
Population
Sexual ethics
  • Schools could be made to teach pupils about gay marriage once it is passed into law [Mail, 2 July]
  • Civil partners should get honorary title just like wives do, MP argues [Telegraph, 2 July]
  • Filipino Catholic Church head says government should spend money not on condoms but on ending child labour [UCAN, 2 July]
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Saturday 30 June 2012

Must-read pro-life news-stories, 30 June

Top stories:

Save the Children 'family planning' claims are "false, illogical and unfounded" says SPUC
Claims about the so-called unmet need for family planning in the developing world made by Save the Children are "false, illogical and unfounded", says SPUC. SPUC was responding to the report "Every woman's right: how family planning saves children's lives". Paul Tully, SPUC's general secretary, commented: "Babies in the developing world die because of lack of good maternity and newborn care. This will continue whether young women use contraception or not." [SPUC, 27 June]

Pro-life success at Rio as abortion excluded from outcome document, report SPUC lobbyists
The Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development has witnessed a notable pro-life success, with abortion being excluded from the text of the conference's outcome document. Pat Buckley, one of SPUC's UN representatives, reported: "The outcome document (known as 'The Future We Want') has been a major battleground for months with attempts to insert anti-life measures including abortion and population control under the guise of so-called 'reproductive rights' or 'reproductive health services'. This pro-life success was won by a group of countries together with the Holy See, among others including Russia, Poland and several Latin American countries." [SPUC, 20 June]

Academies' anti-human Rio statement shows hijacking of science
A statement by world science academies in favour of population control shows how public bodies are being hijacked increasingly by ideology, says SPUC. SPUC was responding to the statement on population and consumption by the Inter Academies Panel (IAP) prior to the Rio+20 conference. Anthony Ozimic, SPUC's communications manager, commented: "The fact that the IAP's statement is based on the long-discredited ideas of Malthus suggests that the ideology of abortion rights has blinded the signatories to scientific reality." [SPUC, 18 June]

Other stories:

Abortion
Euthanasia
Population
Sexual ethics
General

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Monday 18 June 2012

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Mon 18 June

Better healthcare not abortion saves mothers
Top story:

Draft doctors' guidance undermines human rights
Draft guidance for doctors by the General Medical Council (GMC) undermines human rights. SPUC made the comments in its submission to the GMC's consultation on personal beliefs, which closed last week. (SPUC's submission http://www.spuc.org.uk/documents/papers/gmcsub201206 ) In its submission, SPUC said that the right to conscientious objection is a human right, which the GMC should recognise and protect far more fully. Patients need doctors of integrity who practise medicine in accordance with their conscience, including in regard to pregnant women and their unborn children. [SPUC, 15 June]

Other stories

Abortion
Embryology
  • Scientists urge MEPs not to cut funding for human embryo research [Guardian, 15 June]
Euthanasia
  • 'Locked-in' Tony Nicklinson petitioned by Twitter users encouraging him to live [Telegraph, 18 June]
Sexual ethics
  • Scottish survey supporting same-sex marriage branded 'flawed' by Catholic Church [BBC, 17 June]
  • Home Office Minister Nick Herbert: Churches should be allowed to marry gay couples [Pink News, 16 June]

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Thursday 14 June 2012

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Thu 14 June

Top stories:

Approval for new and controversial embryo techniques is dangerous
SPUC has responded to a report published by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics which claims that: "Novel techniques to prevent mitochondrial DNA disorders would be an ethical treatment option". Anthony Ozimic, SPUC's communications manager, commented: “As with IVF and cloning, these mitochondrial techniques may well lead to developmental abnormalities. Creating embryonic children in the laboratory abuses them, by subjecting them to unnatural processes. These techniques are both destructive and dangerous and therefore unethical. The vast majority of embryonic children created in the laboratory are killed because they do not meet the 'quality control' requirements dictated by scientists involved in such increasingly macabre experiments. Scientists should abandon the spurious field of destructive embryo experimentation and instead promote the ethical alternative of adult stem cell research, which is already providing cures and treatments for an increasing number of conditions.” [SPUC, 12 June]

First half-a-million signatures for real marriage presented to Downing St
Half-a-million signatures were delivered to the prime minister's residence at No. 10 Downing Street on Tuesday when the Coalition For Marriage (C4M) presented its petition in defence of real marriage. The petition remains open as it is still growing - the last count was 557,627. SPUC supports the Coalition For Marriage and SPUC supporters have been leafleting and signature-gathering in support of the petition. [John Smeaton, 13 June]

Other stories:

Abortion
Euthanasia
Population
  • Chinese woman 'forced to have abortion at seven months' [HuffPo UK, 14 June]
  • China’s one-child policy causes more violence against women than any official policy in history, says expert [NRLC, 12 June]
Sexual ethics
  • Government's marriage document makes no reference to children, husbands or wives [Telegraph, 13 June]
  • UK government cannot protect faith communities against same-sex marriage laws, says UK justice minister [Mail, 13 June]
  • UK advertising watchdog clears ad against same-sex marriage [Cranmer, 13 June]
  • New EU human rights ambassador ‘should promote LGBT rights globally’, says European Parliament [Pink News, 13 June]
  • New study shows relationship with both father and mother is crucial [Mail, 13 June]
  • ‘Gold standard’ study’s striking findings: children of heterosexual parents happier, healthier [LifeSiteNews.com, 11 June]
  • Read the joint letter on same-sex marriage published in The Sunday Telegraph [John Smeaton, 11 June]
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Thursday 7 June 2012

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Thu 7 June

Tim Montgomerie
Top stories:

Top Tory says PM's backing for gay marriage is "big factor in a slump in Tory membership"
A prominent activist and commentator within the British Conservative party has said the backing given to same-sex marriage by David Cameron, the Conservative prime minister, has resulted in many resignations by party members. Tim Montgomerie of Conservative Home wrote: "The Conservative Party has damaged relations with many of the country's churchgoers by promising to introduce gay marriage. Many of the more than half-a-million signatories to the Coalition for marriage petition are churchgoers. It's also been a big factor in a slump in Tory membership. MPs tell me that the issue is a top reason for why members are resigning." [Conservative Home, 7 June] Nonetheless Mr Montgomerie, one of the founders of the Conservative Christian Fellowship and the pro-family Centre for Social Justice, has endorsed same-sex marriage.

Unborn babies could be tested for 3,500 genetic anomalies
US scientists claim to have predicted the entire genetic code of an unborn child. The Telegraph newspaper says that it could lead to tests for 3,5000 genetic anomalies. [Telegraph, 6 June] Tests on unborn children often lead to decisions to perform abortions. Anthony Ozimic of SPUC commented: "The science-fiction scenario of the film Gattaca, in which babies are graded at birth according to predictions of future health, is becoming fact. Society can reverse this nightmare scenario by resolving to put human beings above so-called scientific progress."

Other stories:

Abortion
  • Pro-life groups rally against Spain's abortion law [CNA, 5 June]
  • Abortion can kick-start ‘vicious cycle’ of repeat pregnancies, abortions: UK expert [LifeSiteNews.com, 4 June]
  • Rite of blessing for the unborn child approved by Catholic bishops of England and Wales [John Smeaton, 4 June]
  • Bishop of London says moral decline has hit 'epidemic' levels, including abortion [Independent, 2 June]
  • Book now to hear Linda Couri, former pro-abort turned pro-lifer, 8 June, Westminster [John Smeaton, 1 June]
Embryology
  • Higher risk of complications in IVF pregnancies, say experts [BBC, 6 June]
  • UK prime minister backs controversial IVF plan to create children with 3 parents [Mail, 3 June]
Euthanasia
  • I'm scared of dying badly, admits Alzheimer's sufferer Terry Pratchett [Mail, 7 June]
Population
  • Chinese couple pay £130,000 to have a second child to avoid one-child policy [Telegraph, 1 June]
Sexual ethics
  • US Democrats leave party over marriage, religious freedom concerns [CNA, 7 June]
  • The European Parliament was bounced into voting for the radical homosexual agenda [John Smeaton, 6 June]
  • World Congress of Families signs declaration upholding natural family [LifeSiteNews.com, 5 June]
  • Minister attacks Channel 4's 'shocking' sex education film aimed at five-year-olds [Mail, 3 June]
  • English Catholic bishop accuses government of one of history's greatest acts of social engineering [John Smeaton, 3 June]
  • State must recognise specific identity of family founded upon marriage, says Pope [VIS, 3 June]
  • Why are Catholic schools in Tower Hamlets using sexually-explicit teaching materials? [John Smeaton, 2 June]
General
  • Abortion and euthanasia to dominate ethics agenda at BMA annual meeting [Peter Saunders, 6 June]
  • Vatican condemns US nun's book for sexual ethics errors [VIS, 4 June]
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Friday 1 June 2012

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Fri 1 June

Prince Alois of Liechtenstein
Top stories

Please sponsor mountain-climbers raising funds for SPUC
On 1 and  2 July, a team of SPUC supporters are planning to climb Britain’s three highest peaks – Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Scafell Pike – in order to raise funds for the Glasgow midwives’ appeal costs and SPUC’s other life-affirming work. Please sponsor them. > Full details

Please respond to consultation on conscientious objection
The General Medical Council (GMC) has issued new draft guidance for doctors on "Personal beliefs and medical practice". The draft deals with the important issue of conscientious objection, and it seeks to control how doctors deal with requests for treatments which they do not in conscience provide, which may include abortion, IVF, contraception, the morning-after pill, or euthanasia. There are serious flaws in the draft and doctor who hold pro-life values could be penalised or prevented from practising medicine as a result.  Please respond to this consultation yourself and/or ask others (especially doctors). This consultation is being conducted online only. Please visit: http://gmc.e-consultation.net/econsult/ and click on "Consultation on Personal beliefs and medical practice". You need to register to contribute but it is free to do so. The deadline for comments is 13 June 2012. SPUC has published a guideline brief http://www.spuc.org.uk/campaigns/alerts/gmc_consultation_2012 to help you respond to the questions in the consultation. 

New abortion figures represent "bonanza" for private abortion sector
Figures issued by the Department of Health indicate that in 2011 there were almost 190,000 registered abortions on resident women in England and Wales. A further 6,000 abortions were registered on non-residents. Paul Tully of SPUC commented: “The statistics also represent an increasing bonanza for the private abortion sector, as their share of the abortion market increases and more NHS money flows into their coffers. They are looking to widen their market further by promoting flawed birth control practices and by promoting abortion as a normal part of people’s sexual health needs." [SPUC, 29 May]


Other stories:

Abortion
Embryology
  • More Britons are paying Indian women to become surrogate mothers [Telegraph, 26 May]
Euthanasia
Population
Sexual ethics
  • Catholic schools should teach Theology of the Body, say English bishops [Tablet, 1 June]
  • Opposition to gay marriage is "not acceptable", UK minister says [Telegraph, 31 May]
  • STD fears as 70% of single women admit to regularly having unprotected sex [Mail, 30 May]
  • The fashion for gay marriage has nothing in common with the civil-rights campaigns of the 1960s [Brendan O'Neill, 29 May]
  • MPs should not be allowed free vote on gay marriage, Nick Clegg says [Telegraph, 27 May]
  • Ditch plans for same-sex marriage, voters tell MPs [Telegraph, 26 May]
General
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Friday 25 May 2012

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Fri 25 May

Chen Guangcheng
Top stories:

European Parliament passes radical pro-homosexual resolution
The European Parliament has passed a resolution promoting a radical pro-homosexual agenda. The resolution was passed 430 votes in favour to 105 against. [LBGT-EU, 24 May] SPUC supporters had lobbied the parliament to reject the resolution [SPUC, 23 May]

SPUC welcomes and supports Muslims Defending Marriage (MDM)
SPUC welcomes and supports a campaign launched by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) to defend marriage, including opposing the goverment's plans to allow same-sex marriage. The MCB, which is the umbrella body representing Britain’s Muslims, has launched a website called Muslims Defending Marriage (MDM), which includes an online petition and supporting material. SPUC and the MCB share the belief that it is necessary to defend the true meaning of marriage in order to protect the welfare of children. [SPUC, 24 May]

Other stories:
  • NHS performed 24 abortions on three teenage girls [Telegraph, 25 May]
  • Evidence presented at World Health Assembly that health care, not abortion, will solve maternal mortality [NRL, 24 May]
  • Finland tells UK that women in Northern Ireland should be entitled to safe legal abortion without having to travel [Pat Buckley, 24 May]
  • Spanish doctor ordered to pay child monthly maintenance after botched abortion [Telegraph, 24 May]
  • Woman removed from flight over vulgar pro-abortion t-shirt [Mail, 24 May]
Embryology
  • Post-IVF columnist says IVF for over-40s is cruel [Mail, 24 May]
Population
Sexual ethics
General
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Tuesday 22 May 2012

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Tue 22 May

New pro-life hospital, Kenya
Top stories:

SPUC rebuts UK govt claim to be world-leader for disabled people
SPUC has rebutted a claim made by the UK government that it is a world-leader for disabled people. The Twitter account of the British embassy to the Holy See tweeted: "The UK is a world leader in the way it responds to disability, both as society but also at government level." SPUC responded by tweeting: "Wrong. [The] UK aborts disabled babies up to birth; kills disabled children at [the] embryonic stage [and] kills [the] mentally incapacitated. [Twitter, 21 May]

Same-sex couples to get free IVF on NHS
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has suggested that same-sex couples should receive IVF free on the NHS, regardless of whether one or other partner has fertility problems. The recommendations are part of draft guidelines currently under consultation. Josephine Quintavalle of Comment on Reproductive Ethics (CORE) commented: "[J]ust because someone's sexual persuasion does not allow them to have children does not mean we have to kowtow to political correctness." [Sky, 22 May]

Other stories:

Abortion
Embryology
  • Rise in surrogate pregnancies raises ethical concerns [CNA, 19 May]
Population
Sexual ethics
General
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Monday 21 May 2012

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Mon 21 May

Pro-abortion Kathleen Sebelius

Top stories

SPUC launches briefing to guide submissions to same-sex marriage consultation
SPUC has launched a briefing document to help supporters make submissions to the government's consultation on same-sex marriage. The document can be read and downloaded at http://www.spuc.org.uk/campaigns/ssm_consult The deadline for submissions to the consultation is 14 June. SPUC's concern is to protect marriage because marriage, as the life-long exclusive union of a husband and wife, protects unborn children and helps families to flourish. Marriage is not owned by the state – it belongs to mankind. The proposals for same-sex marriage (or “equal civil marriage” as officialdom describes it), were not included in the Queen’s Speech, but this does not mean the plans have been dropped: far from it. [SPUC, 17 May]

Tower Hamlets parents to launch petition against sexually-explicit school teaching
Parents in Tower Hamlets are launching a petition to stop sexually-explicit teaching in local schools. Tower Hamlets Parents' Action Group on SRE (THPAG-SRE), who are launching the petition, is a group of concerned Muslim parents with children at school in the borough. The group is supported by SPUC's Safe at School campaign. [SPUC, 18 May]

Cardiff public meeting to warn parents about explicit sex ed
A public meeting to be held in Cardiff next Wednesday (23 May) will warn parents about explicit sex education in primary schools. The meeting will be addressed by Antonia Tully of SPUC's Safe at School campaign. Mrs Tully will explain that many parents around the country are disturbed that graphic teaching programmes, such as Channel Four's "Living and Growing", are being shown to children as young as seven in primary schools. [SPUC, 17 May]

Other stories

Abortion

Embryology
  • Michael J. Fox: "Answer Probably Not Coming from Embryonic Stem Cells" [Vital Signs, 18 May]
  • Would-be grandparents paying for adult daughters to freeze eggs to have babies later [Mail, 14 May]

Sexual ethics

Population
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Tuesday 15 May 2012

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Tue 15 May

Clock showing Japanese population decline
Top stories:

Repeat abortions figures are disturbing and reveal flouting of law, says SPUC
Figures which show a high incidence of multiple repeat abortions in England and Wales [Mail, 14 May] are deeply disturbing and underline how the Abortion Act is being systematically abused across the country, says SPUC. Paul Tully, SPUC’s general secretary, said: "The figures indicate wide differences around the country for repeat abortions, but regional and local variations also suggest that in many areas abortion is being used unlawfully to try to cut the birth-rate among minority and low-income groups more likely to claim benefits." [SPUC, 14 May]

Cambridge students targeted by firm offering £750 to egg donors
A company has leafleted thousands of students at Cambridge university, offering them £750 to 'donate' their eggs. [Mail, 13 May] Anthony Ozimic, SPUC's communications manager, told the media yesterday that: "Such advertising represents an unacceptable commodification of procreation, violating international norms against the commercialisation of the human body, its tissues and organs. It exploits cash-strapped students at a formative time (late teens/early 20s) in their adult development and in their values, hopes and feelings about parenthood. And it serves the vested interests of the IVF industry, which puts profits and kudos above the welfare of patients." [John Smeaton, 13 May]

Other stories:
Embryology
  • London IVF clinic makes £25 million annual profit [Mail, 14 May]
  • MPs demand inquiry into risks of most popular IVF after it has been linked with higher risks of birth defects [Mail, 13 May]
  • Geneticist claims that weeding out embryos with severe genetic abnormalities is ‘a tremendous blessing and a wonderful thing’ [Peter Saunders, 13 May]
  • 'Biological Clock' cannot be rewound [Pat Buckley, 11 May]
  • Storm as Law Society bans conference debating gay marriage [Telegraph, 11 May]
Population
  • Falling birth rates (pictured) mean Japan 'won't have any children under 15 by 3011' [Mail, 14 May]
Sexual ethics
General
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Thursday 10 May 2012

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Thu 10 May

The Queen's Speech
Top story:

Same-sex marriage left out of UK government's legislative programme
Legislation to redefine marriage in English law to include homosexuals has been omitted from the Queen's Speech, the annual announcement of forthcoming legislation. Some commentators believe the omission is partly due to widespread opposition to the proposals, including a ongoing petition which has already collected half-a-million signatures. [BBC, 9 May] John Smeaton, SPUC director, commented: "We must not be complacent. The government is continuing with its consultation on the details of future legislation and remains committed to legislate for same-sex marriage before the next general election. We must move forward quickly to bury the government's proposals."

Other stories:

Abortion
  • Chilean study shows better health care, other factors reduce maternal mortality — not legal abortion [NRL, 9 May]
  • Coil more effective form of so-called 'emergency contraception' than morning-after pill, scientists say [Metro, 9 May]
  • "We had a whole plan to sell abortion, and it was called sex education" (Part 1) [SPUC youth blog, 9 May]
  • Compelling new video says history is on the side of unborn children [John Smeaton, 9 May]
  • UK child sex ring victim had abortion [Guardian, 8 May]
  • US charity's 'bowl-a-thon' paid for 14-year-old's abortion [Mail, 8 May]
  • Thousands of pills filled with powdered human baby flesh discovered by customs officials in South Korea [Mail, 7 May]
Sexual ethics
  • House of Commons speaker to push for gay rights in Commonwealth [Pink News, 9 May]
  • Tory MP issues fresh polygamy warning over marriage equality for gays [Pink News, 9 May]
  • Obama endorses gay ‘marriage’: says support based on Jesus, Golden Rule [LifeSiteNews.com, 9 May]
  • North Carolina voters pass amendment to ban gay marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships [Pink News, 9 May]
  • Row over 'insulting' New Zealand contraception plans [BBC, 8 May]
  • US vice-president comes out in support of gay marriage [Pink Paper, 7 May]
General
  • Pro-abortion, pro-gay ‘marriage’ socialist Francois Hollande wins French election [LifeSiteNews.com, 7 May]
  • Supporters of euthanasia and abortion 'use the same arguments as the Nazi's did to promote genocide', says Vatican newspaper [Mail, 5 May]
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Tuesday 8 May 2012

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Tue 8 May

Top story:

SPUC expresses sadness at the death of Phyllis Bowman
SPUC has expressed its sadness at the death of Phyllis Bowman, the Society’s first national director. In a joint statement, SPUC’s leading national officers said: “We regret to learn of the death on Monday 7 May 2012 of Mrs Phyllis Bowman, SPUC's former National Director. Phyllis Bowman inspired and led the growth of SPUC, the world’s first pro-life organisation of its kind, from its foundation in 1967 until she stepped down as national director in 1996. She was present, and as a successful journalist was appointed press secretary, at the founding meeting of SPUC at the Wig and Pen Club, on 11 January 1967. She became SPUC’s first national director in the early 1970s. We will always remember and be grateful for her energetic and inspiring pro-life leadership over three decades in Britain and Northern Ireland, as well as for her leading role in the development of the pro-life movement internationally. We extend our deep sympathy to Jerry, her husband, who always supported Phyllis in her pro-life work, and to her family.”

Other stories:

Clare Short
Abortion
Embryology
Sexual ethics
General
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Thursday 3 May 2012

Must-read pro-life news-stories, Thu 3 May

Dr Halliday G. Sutherland 
Top stories:

Sheffield pro-lifers hold roadside vigil
Pro-lifers have held a roadside vigil in Sheffield highlighting the truth about abortion. 30 members of SPUC from Sheffield and Rotherham gathered on the approach road to Meadowhall Shopping Centre on Saturday. They formed a chain, standing along the kerbside at intervals holding placards which bring home the reality of abortion. This year's event was arguably the most effective roadside witness ever held in Sheffield. [SPUC, 3 May]

Paralysed man ‘wins’ court battle to end life by having respirator removed
An English court has approved the withdrawal of a respirator sustaining the life of a British motor neurone disease patient. The Court of Protection held that the man had made a valid advance directive under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Anthony Ozimic of SPUC told LifeSiteNews.com: "It is not unethical for a non-dying patient to refuse futile or disproportionately burdensome medical treatment, as long as their intention is not suicidal. In this case, however, what is being withdrawn is standard care appropriate for the condition, with the intention of ending life based on the person’s quality of life. We warned for years that the Mental Capacity Act is based on the inhuman notion that disabled people’s lives may not be worth living. It is sanitised barbarism.” [LifeSiteNews.com, 2 May]

Other stories:

Abortion
Euthanasia
Sexual ethics
General
  • Obesity and delayed motherhood behind doubling of mums who die in labour, suggests study [Mail, 30 April]
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