Abortion Breast Cancer Lawsuit Set For Trial

A false advertising suit has been filed against Red River Women's Clinic, a Fargo, North Dakota, abortion facility.

The suit hinges on a statement in a pamphlet from the facility: "Anti-abortion activists claim that having an abortion increases the risk of breast cancer and endangers future child bearing.  None of these claims are supported by medical research or established medical organizations."

The facility is being sued for claiming there is no scientific research establishing an abortion-breast cancer link.

At issue is the validity of scientific studies showing the link.  Activists on both sides of the abortion debate have hotly contested each other's studies on the matter, attacking the scientific credibility of research methodology and conclusions.

It is widely held among physicians and scientists acknowledging an abortion-breast cancer link that 26 of 32 published studies worldwide and12of13studies in the U.S. support the notion.

But those abortion advocates who denounce an abortion-breast cancer link, such as Planned Parenthood and NARAL, attack the validity of the studies.

At issue is a phenomenon called "reporting bias," used by critics for decades. The premise says that women with breast cancer may say they have had an abortion when they have not.

According to Karen Malec, director of the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer, a Swedish researcher developed the concept of "reporting bias" when seven women he observed claimed to have had abortions when computer records indicated they had not.

"I just cannot fathom that women could fabricate having had an abortion," said Malec.  "The allegation that the computer says a woman had an abortion and she didn't, or vice versa, is just ridiculous," she stated.

Information on the ABClink:

www.abortioncancer.com

www.afterabortion.org 

www.johnkindley.com 

 

The Slope Becomes Slipperier

by James Wolfe, The Joplin Globe.

Nancy Cruzan was mentioned only a couple of  times, Christine Busalacchi not at all at a symposium on "Pulling the Plug."

Debate about end-of-life decisions has moved beyond the two young women, severely brain-damaged, who died after food and water were withdrawn.  Ms. Cruzan was from Jasper County, Ms. Busalacchi from St. Louis, and their plight led to disputations in the 1980s and early '90s among doctors, nurses, lawyers, writers, the clergy and public officials.

The200 people who attended the meeting, which was sponsored by Missouri Nurses for Life, the St. Louis University School of Nursing and others, heard Wesley Smith say that first it was the brain-dead who were disposable, then progressively the "vegetative," their reversibly demented, the pleasantly senile ("your grandmother?") and "biologically tenacious" patients who do not die when it is convenient.

"It's getting so you shouldn't go to a hospital without having a lawyer with you," he said.  He to ld about a woman who, when she asked that antibiotics be administered to her 92-year-old mother, was told, "She's going to die of an infection; it might as well be this one."

Smith is an Oakland, Calif, lawyer who wrote a 1997 book, "Forced Exit," and one that will be out shortly, "Culture of Death: The Destruction of Medical Ethics in America."  Other speakers were a pediatrics professor, a priest and two nurses.

One of the nurses, Nancy Valko, told of having had to insist on treatment for her infant daughter, who had Down syndrome (and who, despite treatment, died).  She told also about a 17-year-old boy admitted to her intensive care unit, comatose after a car crash.

A brain surgeon said he would not live the night, "which is a good thing, because otherwise he would be a vegetable."

For weeks, Ms. Valko talked to the patient and encouraged others to.  Finally, when asked to, Mike lifted a finger, then his hand and arm.  But when the surgeon was there, he did not, and the surgeon told the nurses they were imagining things, they were emotionally involved.  Mike was transferred to another unit and she lost track of him.

Two years later, he walked in and asked, "Remember me?" He was completely recovered and was going to get married.

"I told him that he wouldn't remember this, but he used to move for us but not when the surgeon was there.  Mike became very serious and said he did remember.  He said he purposely would not respond to the surgeon because  he had called him a vegetable."

Her listeners included people in wheelchairs who fear the slide down the slippery slope might reach them.

In "Forced Exit," Smith notes that Ms.Cruzan was unconscious; Ms. Busalacchi was less so, but cognitively disabled; nowadays a candidate for dehydratioon may be someone who can guide a wheelchair, use a TV remote and communicate fear about his fate.

"Once killing is seen as an appropriate answer in a few cases, the ground quickly gives way, and it becomes the answer in many cases," Smith continued.

Dilemmas about dying were the subject of a Bill Moyers television special for four nights last week on PBS.

Advocates of euthanasia mentioned at the symposium include intellectuals, some styling themselves bioethicists, one of whom, Dr. Pete Singer of Princeton University, says "neither a newborn human infant nor a fish is a person." Others are health-care cost counters. Pills for" self-deliverance" might cost $40, which is a bargain for the hospital, insurance company, HMO or government.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch said Ms. Cruzan's care at the Missouri Rehabilitation Center at Mount Vernon was costing the state $130,000 a year.

She was dehydrated in December 1990.  Our taxes did not go down.

A Nation Watches

A Country Chooses

Life Hangs In The Balance

A Clear Pro-Life Choice For President

George W. Bush says, "I'm going to set a goal that says the unborn ought to be protected in law and welcomed to life." He states pro- life concerns "are not just items on an agenda, but part of a broader vision, a culture of life, a fair and decent society where the weak are not a burden but a priority, where hard cases are given special care, where hope is offered to mother and child alike."

Opponent Al Gore states, "As president, I would do nothing to undermine the Roe v. Wade Decision.  "He says, "...rest assured that a Supreme Court majority appointed in a Gore Administration would support a woman's right to choose."

Total of 12,751.  In 1980, 21,671 resident abortions were performed.

Despite an increasing teen population, abortion rates declined 44.7% from 1991 to 1998 among those age 15-19.  Furthermore, teen pregnancies, births and abortions are declining in absolute numbers and rates.

A new category has been established for abortion procedures, medical nonsurgical.  By definition that class includes "medications to induce abortions early in the first trimester, i.e. methotrexate and mifepristone and prostaglandins."

There were104 abortions done on preborn babies at 21+ weeks, raising the question of how many of these might have been accomplished by partial birth abortion.

A report on abortion in Missouri 1999 is available at www.missourilife.org

e--that has been anhiL

A Clear Pro-Life Choice For U.S. Senator

John Ashcroft states, "My public record reflects my personal conviction that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life and should be fully protected by the14th amendment."

Missouri Right to Life is extremely concerned about who will be elected to the United States Senate.

We feel deep sympathy for the Carnahan family. The loss of their loved ones is a terrible tragedy, and we join all Missourians in extending condolences. Supporting Jean Carnahan for U.S. Senator because of her loss, however, would be detrimental to the effort to protect innocent human life. It is vitally important to remember the passionate defense of abortion on demand by Governor Carnahan. Remember that he twice vetoed bans on partial-birth abortion.

Jean Carnahan has pledged to carry on his legacy. An article on Postnet.com, October 30, 2000, notes that she is an abortion rights supporter, even though her position on all other issues is unknown. It is essential for voters to be aware of these facts as decisions are made about this important race."

A Clear Pro-Life Choice For Governor

Jim Talent says, "My belief is that unborn children are people and they should be entitled to the protection of the laws.  I look forward to the day when our society decides it has room for all the children God gives us."

Opponent Bob Holden states, "This is one of those issues (abortion) where there are clear differences between me and my opponent.  "Bob Holden believes that all abortions should be legal.  He received the Hope For Missouri Award from National Abortion Rights Action League.

LET'S LOOK AT THE RECORD before voting for Missouri Governor

JIM TALENT states, "Wouldn't it be great to have a pro-life governor again!"

	original co-sponsor and voted three times to support the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act
	voted to prohibit taxpayer money from funding international organizations that perform or promote abortion (Mexico City Policy)
	supported the elimination of the United Nations Population Fund
	co-sponsored the Child Custody Protection Act to make it a federal crime to transport a minor across state lines for abortion with the purpose of evading parental notification laws
	co-sponsored the Unborn Victims of Violence Act to create a separate offense for harming or killing a preborn baby during the commission of a violent crime

BOB HOLDEN states that he would not prohibit abortion in any circumstance.

	has said he would veto legislation banning partial birth abortion
	active supporter of Missourians for Choice and signer of their fundraising letter in April 1999
	favors abortions being financed by Missouri taxpayers
	voted against a bill prohibiting health insurance to cover abortions
	voted against a bill that states that life begins at conception and that a preborn child has certain rights

WHOM DO YOU WANT AS MISSOURI GOVERNOR? WHO'S BEST FOR THE BABIES?

Missouri Right to Life Political Action Committee General Election 2000 Endorsements

Pro-life ratings and endorsements are determined by voting records for those who have held office; responses to National Right toLife's or MRL's candidate survey; public statements or record on pro-life issues.  Endorsements are given after careful  consideration of many factors.  In some cases, MRL-PAC-endorsed candidates may have pro-life opponents.  In that case, the  endorsement is determined by incumbency Missouri Right to Life - prolifers like you make it work!

ENDORSEMENT INFORMATION PAID FOR BY MISSOURI RIGHT TO LIFE PAC.  NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE.

Click here to view the endorsments

Our Special ThanksTo West County Chapter

The Missouri Right to Life News, Summer Edition, was published in part with a much-appreciated grant from the West County Chapter of MRL. Thank you so much! What a great educational project for chapters to undertake.

For any chapter or region interested in making a similar grant, please contact the MRL state office.

Did you know that ???

      ...pro-abortion Gov. Mel Carnahan said the daughter of Playboy founder Hugh Hefner donated $2,000 to his U.S. Senate bid because she shares his support of abortion.  Carnahan told reporters that Christie Hefner was "among a group of very strongly pro-choice women in Chicago and that's the circumstance under which I met her and she has given support.''  Hefner said, "Gov. Mel Carnahan is a champion of these issues." 

Associated Press; August 28, 2000

      ...in a non-binding resolution, the European Parliament voted down the British Chief Medical Officer's request to allow human embryo cloning.  They declared that what Britain calls "therapeutic cloning irreversibly crosses a boundary in research norms. A German Christian Democrat deputy accused the British of "breaking ranks" with "every responsible human being [who] considered it unacceptable to clone human embryos for any reason," thereby "paving the way for an erosion of respect for human life." 

Reuters Health; September 7, 2000

      ...according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the present U.S. rate of population increase from new births is only about one half of one percent annually and is dropping rapidly.  Barring a significant increase in the birth rate or an increase in immigration, the U.S. population will be in absolute decline by the year 2030.  

MCFL News, May June2000

      In response to an item in the MRL News, Summer 2000,PETA insists that "recipients of PETA's $250,000 grant use human cells -- not embryos ... Cells can be taken from any part of the body ... and reproduced for testing. "It seems to this editor that human embryos and fetal tissue are also human cells.  Is this PETA double speak??

Chinese Officials Drown Baby in Front of Parents

Caidian, China-- China has been shaken by one of the most horrifying cases of official infanticide in recent memory after government family planners drowned a healthy baby in front of its parents.

The actions of the officials in the village of Caidian, carried out as part of China's one-child policy, caused a public outcry which forced the government to pledge that those responsible would be punished, a rarity in such cases.

The baby's mother was expecting her fourth child.  Couples in the countryside, where 70% of China's people live, often have more than one child without punishment, despite the policy; but in this case the mother was forcibly injected with a saline solution to induce labor and kill the child.

The baby was born healthy, to the surprise of family planning officials who had ordered the injection.  Immediately after the birth, they ordered the father to kill the child.  He refused to obey but was so scared of punishment that he left the crying baby behind in an office where it was found by a doctor shortly afterwards.

The doctor took the baby back to the hospital and reunited it with its mother. He removed the umbilical cord, administered vaccinations and then sent the family home.

Five officials were waiting for them in their living room.  During the ensuing argument, the officials grabbed the baby, dragged it out of the house and drowned it in a paddy field in front of its parents.

The public outcry that resulted was so enormous that people in Caidian contacted newspapers in the nearby metropolis of Wuhan.  This led to national media attention which forced the government to edge that it would punish the guilty officials.

Since its implementation in the early 1970s, the one-child policy has been dogged by allegations that family planning officials force those who break the rules into having abortions or sterilizations.