NEWS SHORTS FOR FRIDAY

NEWS SHORTS FOR FRIDAY (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.) Judge: State can take, keep newborns' data 'Blood samples are biological, not genetic, information' A judge in Minnesota has ruled the state can routinely collect, analyze, store and retrieve biological samples that include DNA from all newborns even though a state law specifically requires prior written authorization. The decision from Hennepin County District Judge Marilyn Rosenbaum dismissed a case brought by members of nine families who alleged the state was going beyond what it was authorized to do. Although not part of the lawsuit, Twila Brase, president of the Citizens' Council on Health Care, has been monitoring the dispute since its beginning, battling the state Department of Health, which reportedly has been taking and warehousing newborns' genetic makeup for years but not following "written consent requirements." Click here for the full article. Unborn Human Rights Bill Introduced in Italian Senate While technically recognizing the "human rights" of the unborn, the bill would not change abortion law A bill that would legally establish the human rights of unborn children, but would not alter abortion laws, has been introduced into the Italian Senate, the Italian news agency ANSA reports. Maurizio Gasparri, a Member of the Italian Parliament for the Alleanza Nazionale party, said, "What we want is to establish limits against new abortion techniques that violate the law's original intent." Donatella Portetti, a senator representing the largest opposition group, the Democratic Party, said the law is ''the government's latest assault on Italians' freedom to decide whether they want to live, die or have children.'' Click here for the full article. Challenge to Ireland's Pro-Life Laws Goes to European Court of Human Rights Irish abortion laws and sovereignty stand in the dock next week when the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) hears a challenge to Ireland's constitutional protection of life "from conception." Three petitioners in the case A, B & C v. Ireland allege that they were forced to travel overseas to obtain abortions, undergoing unnecessary expenses and hardship due to the nation's pro-life laws. They claim violations of various rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.   Third-party interveners Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC), the European Center for Law and Justice and the Alliance Defense Fund (on behalf of Family Research Council), contend that it is "Ireland's sovereign right to determine when life begins" and what rights attach to pre-natal life. They also claim that domestic remedies have not been exhausted, and that therefore the ECHR lacks jurisdiction to hear the case. Click here for the full article. Michigan Abortion Facility Advertizes Abortion as "Sacred Work" DETROIT - Northland "Family Planning Centers" of Michigan are now advertising their services with a video calling abortion "sacred work."   Set to soft, upbeat piano music and themed with pink pastel shades, a recently uploaded video entitled "Every Day, Good Woman Choose Abortion," assures prospective customers that deciding "to have an abortion is a normal experience," and that the decision is a good decision.  The video's spokeswoman continues:  "Goodness is courage, honesty, wisdom, risking for what you believe is right for you, making choices that are good for yourself." Click here for the video. Click here for the full article. British couple chooses to cut life support for child Life or death dilemma: Judge Justice McFarlane listens to the case as Baby RB's father (centre) and mother (centre-right) look on Rome, Italy - A British couple elected on November 10 to discontinue medical care for their son of 13 months of age.  "RB" suffered from congenital myasthenic syndrome and, his doctors said, would only live a short life on artificial respiration and feeding tubes. Irene Gemeno, of the Scottish Edinburgh Napier News, reported that "RB", as he was referred to in order to protect his identity and that of his parents, could barely, if at all, move his limbs or breathe due to limitations resulting from the neuromuscular condition, but his brain appeared to be healthy. Doctors, however, advised that he wasn't expected to live beyond three years of age and would never shed the artificial support for basic body functions. According to the boy's father, the child was able recognize relatives and made an effort to play, but his doctors said it was impossible to know if these responses were involuntary or a result of the child's will. Click here for the full article.