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Pro-Life Update The Pro-Life community has always held a deep respect for Life at all stages, especially the earliest and last stages—very often the most fragile times of our lives. Recent events, however, are showing some people outside the Pro-Life movement how precious life is at these stages. Last year, a young baby was born and survived at less than 22 weeks gestation—two weeks prior to “viability.” This exciting news further highlights the personhood of the unborn. In India, young lives—the same age as this 22 week preemie—are lost at alarming rates as families choose to abort their female babies upon learning the gender from ultrasounds. Finally, a woman in Colorado, considered by some to be in the last stages of her life, awoke from a six-year so-called “persistent vegetative state” to visit and speak with her family for three days. Her mother maintained hope when doctors could not offer any; her prayers were answered as her daughter awoke, spoke, ate, and drank.
Please read this issue of the Pro-Life Update carefully to understand some of the challenges we now face and how you—an educated Pro-Lifer—can advance the Culture of Life. Please share this information with your family, friends, and church congregations. Make copies. Spread the news.
Preemie Survives after Less Than 22 Weeks Gestation Amillia Sonja Taylor, who was born after just 21 weeks and six days in the womb, was 9½ inches long and weighed 10 ounces. She was born October 24, 2006, and was sent home from the hospital about four months after her birth, measuring between 25 and 26 inches and weighing 4 ½ pounds. She is the world’s youngest surviving preemie. The next closest surviving preemies were all born at 23 weeks.
When Amillia was born, she had a mild brain hemorrhage, as well as respiratory and digestive problems. She also had a strong will to live. According to her doctor, William Smalling:
This baby showed signs of being viable at the time of delivery… She made efforts at breathing, [an] attempt to cry at birth. So when she was assessed at the delivery, she showed signs that she may have been mature enough to survive, and she proved us right.
She was sent home, only needing a little oxygen, which was to be expected.
Amillia’s amazing survival will force doctors to reassess viability for premature babies. Smalling affirmed, “I think she does open the debate again that we’re constantly reassessing those limits of viability. She may be one of the factors that allow us to consider babies that age to [be] viable.”
Female Feticide in India Although illegal, the cultural practice of dowries for the groom’s family is still common and expected. Therefore, daughters present a great financial burden. If the family does not provide a dowry, however, the cost can be far greater: In one major city, activists have claimed that women are still burned alive by husbands who expected larger dowries. Boys, on the other hand, are considered to be a great asset.
Given the strong preference for boys over girls, Indian families frequently abort their baby girls. Each year, about 500,000 female babies are aborted (referred to as female feticide). This practice has led to the abortion of approximately 10 million females since 1985.
In 1994, India outlawed the use of ultrasounds to reveal the gender of the child. In 2002, the penalties were stiffened to up to three years in jail and a $230 fine. However, only one doctor has been convicted: His medical license was suspended for five years, and he was fined 400 rupees (about $10).
The change in population since ultrasound clinics were introduced is astounding. When the first clinic opened in Punjab in 1979, there were 925 girls for every 1,000 boys younger than 7. By 1991, however, it was 875 girls for every 1,000 boys, and by 2001, the ratio plunged to just 793 girls for every 1,000 boys.
Abortion advocates promote abortion as a liberating choice for women. Sadly and ironically, India is now realizing that this liberation carries a great cost. Women are further degraded by being eliminated before they even come into the world. Pro-abortion groups such as NOW and Planned Parenthood remain silent on these issues. They must: If they admit that female feticide is an atrocity, then they must accept the humanity of unborn children—both female and male.
Woman Wakes from “Persistent Vegetative State” Christa Lilly is now 49 years old. She suffered from a heart attack and then a stroke in November of 2000. Doctors believed her to be in a “persistent vegetative state” (PVS), but she has woken up five times during the past six years. The first awakening was in 2001, in which she spoke for about an hour and a half. The last awakening started on March 4, 2007, and lasted for three days.
Christa was able to see her youngest daughter, who is now 12 years old, and see her three grandchildren. During her time awake, Christa said, “I think it’s wonderful. It makes me so happy.”
Christa’s mom, Minnie Smith, has been her main caregiver. About one year ago, she told Dr. Randall Bjork, her neurologist, that Christa has periods of lucidity in which she awakens, eats, and drinks from a cup. Dr. Bjork, however, did not believe her. He told her to bring Christa to his office next time she wakes up. On March 6, 2007, she showed up at his office with a TV crew. “He was quite shocked,” Minnie told The Denver Post.
“I’m just not able to explain this on the basis of what we know about persistent vegetative states,” Dr. Bjork told the Associated Press.
Christa’s case, along with others who wake up from so-called “PVS,” should help doctors to realize how much they do not understand about PVS. These patients are still human beings who need and deserve our care and attention.
The Pro-Life movement still has much work to ensure that all people throughout the world are welcomed into Life and respected. If you would like any additional information on the topics discussed above, please send me a note or log onto www.TexasRightToLife.com. If you ever have questions about any Pro-Life issues, please be sure to let me know. Yours for Life, Dr. Joseph M. Graham President |
