(Referral to Web sites not produced by The Illinois Federation for Right to LIfe is for informational purposes only and does not necessarily constitute an endorsement of the sites' content.)
Lack of Truth in Advertising at IVF Clinics
A paper published in the journal Fertility and Sterility by researchers at Columbia University finds that most IVF clinics fail to mention negatives associated with genetic testing of embryos.
Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is used to test for various genetic disorders, as well as to choose the sex of an infant. However the eugenic procedure, which involves removing one or two cells from an early embryo for the genetic testing, is not completely reliable and can harm or destroy the embryo. The researchers looked at websites of 83 IVF clinics that offered PGD; 22 of the clinics were hospital- or university-based, while 61 were private clinics. Only 1/3 of the clinic websites mentioned the possibility of misdiagnosis, and only 14% mentioned the risk to the embryo.
Click here for the full article.
Sheriff Sued Again For Restricting Inmate Abortion
The popular elected official who operates the prison system in one of the nation's largest counties is being sued for unconstitutionally restricting the rights of inmates to have abortions. Well known nationally for conducting effective immigration raids that have cleaned up the Phoenix metropolitan area, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio illegally obstructs inmates' access to abortion care, according to a 22-page lawsuit filed on behalf of a prisoner in Arizona Superior Court. In doing so the sheriff violates protection against cruel and unusual punishment guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution's Eighth Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment's right to access reproductive healthcare.
Click here for the full article.
Thousands of Colombians stand up for life, women and the family in Medellin
Medellin, Colombia - At least 10,000 Colombians took to the streets of Medellin on October 17 for the March for Life, Women and the Family to voice support for the unborn in response to plans to build an abortion clinic in the city with public funds. The number of protestors who came out for the event surpassed even the organizers' expectations.
Young people, children, the elderly and entire families marched from the Explora Park to Cisneros Square carrying signs and chanting pro-life slogans. At the conclusion of the march, various pro-life leaders addressed the crowd on abortion and adoption, with some women sharing personal testimonies.
Click here for the full article.
Pro-Life Supporters Rally in Helena
Pro-life supporters wrapped up a weekend-long tour of several cities to introduce a new initiative they hope to get on the 2010 general election ballot on Sunday. CI-102 would add unborn babies to the definition of "person" under the Montana code. The initiative's creators held a meeting in Great Falls last week to start to gather signatures for a petition to get the initiative included in the next election. Then after a stop in Missoula, the group wrapped up the weekend with a meeting in Helena on Sunday.
Click here for the full article.
Peruvian Congress continues forward with measure to legalize abortion
Lima, Peru. - A new bill that would legalize abortion in cases of rape and fetal deformation has moved through a Congressional committee in Peru and will be sent to the floor of the Peruvian Congress in the coming months, despite widespread opposition to the measure among voters.
Various lawmakers from the ruling party in Peru—which has expressed opposition to abortion—voted to move the bill through committee, including Representative Jose Vargas, who recently during a radio interview called those who defend the unborn hypocrites. "Nobody defends life without restriction because, for example, a vegetable is life and therefore you shouldn't eat salads," he argued
Click here for the full article.
Two High Profile Pro-Life Prelates Appointed to Key Vatican Post
Two prelates who are known for their vocal defence of life and family as well as the defence of traditional liturgical practices have been appointed to one of the most critical offices in the Catholic Church. Archbishop Raymond L. Burke and Antonio Cardinal Canizares Llovera have been appointed to serve in the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops, the group that oversees the selection of bishops around the world.
Click here for the full article.
