Articles for Month: February 1999

WASHINGTON, DC, Feb 26 (Lifesitenews.com) – On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Health Donna Shalala rejected an appeal by 70 pro-life congressmen to discontinue public funding of stem cell research. They noted that such such research violates a federal ban on human embryo research. In a press release yesterday, American Life League president Judie Brown noted that the most popular way to obtain the most useful stem cells is to destroy human embryonic children,  “leftovers” from in vitro fertilization procedures.  “When stem cells are harvested from these tiny boys and girls, they die,” said Brown.

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 26 (Lifesitenews.com) – A preparatory commission (prepcom) for the International Criminal Court ended a two-week session today at the United Nations in New York. The Catholic Family and Human Rights institute reported today that the ICC prepcom dealt with defining what constitutes a crime under the ICC. CAFHRI noted that feminists are working hard once again to insert vague definitions into the statutes. Pro-life legal analysts warn that vagueness gives the court more flexibility than it should have in deciding what constitutes a crime. This situation flies in the face of Western jurisprudence. It also enables activists […]

Feb 26 (Lifesitenews.com) – This Sunday evening CBS’s “60 Minutes” will air a follow-up to its snuff film showing Kevorkian killing a patient.  This time, reports the broadcaster’s web site, “Mike Wallace talks to some remarkable people suffering from the same affliction, called Lou Gehrig’s disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), who have chosen to live”.

VATICAN, Feb 26 (Lifesitenews.com) – Taking up end of life issues this week, the Pontifical Academy for Life condemned euthanasia and assisted suicide. Bishop Elio Sgreccia vice-president of the Academy and director of the Institute of Bioethics of the Sacred Heart University in Rome, said “Euthanasia and assisted suicide constitute a double crime against life, even if the patient is desirous of abandoning terrestrial existence.” Addressing medics he said “The doctor has a direct responsibility in the crime, whether he helps the patient with euthanasia or assists him in his suicide.” Zenit news reported that in summary, the Academy stressed […]

WASHINGTON, DC, Feb 26 (Lifesitenews.com) – Planned Parenthood, while recognized by the U.S. Government as a tax-exempt, non-profit organization, makes huge profits every year according to a report by STOPP International. “Since 1988, Planned Parenthood has made a total profit of $229.8 million—including $42.3 million last year,” says STOPP president Jim Seldak. Moreover, Planned Parenthood’s data reveal that, at the same time it was generating these healthy profits, it was also pocketing $1.6 billion in taxpayer dollars. A new report by STOPP exposes many other important aspects of Planned Parenthood’s corrupt operations. The report, “Summary and Analysis of Planned Parenthood’s […]

WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (Lifesitenews.com)  The US Senate agreed unanimously (99-0) today to have President Clinton push for a UN resolution condemning China’s atrocious human rights record. The resolution is intended for submission at the U.N. Human Rights Commission conference to be held next month in Geneva. According to former Hong Kong governor Chris Patten, Canada had supported such a resolution in the past but its support was withdrawn after China threatened Canadian business opportunities in China. See related LifeSite story: CHRETIEN REFUSED TO CONDEMN CHINESE HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES

MCLEAN, VA, Feb 25 (Lifesitenews.com)  A recent nation-wide poll conducted by Wirthlin Worldwide reveals that 79% of Americans (vs 19%) believe that families should be able to choose life support for an unconscious patient even if the doctor thinks the patient’s quality of life is too low. The survey was conducted February 5 – 8, 1999, and a report was distributed by Pro-Life Info-Net. For more information: Michele Arocha Allen Phone: (202) 626-8825 E-mail: [email protected]

TORONTO, Feb 25 (Lifesitenews.com)  According to Toronto police the problem of youth accessing pornography on the Internet in libraries has become rampant.  Many libraries across Canada have refused to restrict Internet access to ban the viewing of pornography. A recent incident at Downsview Public Library had police called in when a 19-year-old threateningly chased a Library staff member after she cut short his Internet voyeurism.  The Toronto Sun reported “Police were shocked by the large number of kids looking at sex on the Internet,” at lunch time and after school hours. Kim Huntley, of the Toronto Public Library said “Anyone […]

WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (Lifesitenews.com)  If pro-life and pro-family activists can learn how to use publicity more regularly as a tool to combat their opponents, they might reap valuable rewards. The response to CNN czar Ted Turner’s recent anti-Christian comments effectively illustrates this point. On February 16, at a meeting of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association (NHPRHA), Turner called for an international “one-child policy” while making degrading jokes about the Ten Commandments, and a racist joke about Pope John Paul II.  Following the news reports of his comments, the Catholic League responded quickly demanding an apology, as did […]

LANSING, MI, Feb 25 (Lifesitenews.com) – A new study in this month’s issue of the New England Journal of Medicine claims that children should be spaced two to two-and-a-half years apart.  Interestingly, the study suggests that while perinatal risk is increased somewhat by spacing children closer together, there is a much greater risk when children are spaced further apart. An editorial comment on the study took an anti-natal stance, focusing only on encouraging doctors to ensure that patients space children further apart. It did not discuss the risks associated with spacing beyond 2-and-a-half-years.