The March of Dimes strongly encourages testing of unborn babies for the possibility of birth defects (e.g., Beta-Thalassemia, hemophilia A, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and cystic fibrosis) and for genetic conditions that are socially unacceptable (e.g., Down’s Syndrome). (March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, March of Dimes Global Report on Birth Defects, pp. 41, 47 [White Plains, New York; 2006], available at http://www.marchofdimes.com/MOD-Report-PF.pdf.) Such prenatal testing has no beneficial outcome for the child. The March Of Dimes professes to be neutral on abortion (id., p. 41), but it encourages prenatal testing with full knowledge that abortion is the outcome for many, if not most, unborn babies who are found to have such conditions (id., pp. 50-52).

The March of Dimes also supports the use of fetal tissue in the course of medical research, including fetal tissue derived from aborted babies (J. C. Willke, M.D., “New Information on March of Dimes Boycott,” Life Issues Connector [Cincinnati, July, 1997], available at http://www.abortionfacts.com/dr_willke/connector_july_97.asp; State Office of Bishops’ Pastoral Plan for Pro-Life Activities, Survey of Medical Research Associations and Foundations (quoting response from March of Dimes Foundation) [Lincoln, Neb., April 20, 2001], available at http://www.catharchdioceseokc.org/family/survey.htm). It also supports embryonic stem cell research, which sacrifices human beings at the embryo stage in order to obtain their stem cells. (“Letter from the Research Community to Representative John Porter,” July 29, 1999, p. 3, available at http://www.lifeissues.org/cloningstemcell/escrletter.html.)

Until the March of Dimes renounces “search and destroy” prenatal testing and the deaths of unborn human beings to produce research tissue, Missouri Right to Life considers March of Dimes to be anti-life in actuality. Missouri Right to Life urges citizens to consider carefully whether to support the March of Dimes in light of its anti-life activities.