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Pro-Life Update Within the Pro-Life movement, we strive to seek the truth and educate the public—hopeful that an understanding of the life issues will expand the Culture of Life. Just recently, three people who underwent successful adult stem cell therapies testified before Congress to the benefits of adult stem cell research. Such successes increase our resolve that embryonic stem cell research is in no way necessary. The causal relationship between abortion and breast cancer, long maintained by Pro-Lifers, has been posted on a controversial billboard by Pro-Life Waco; these type of advertisements help protect women in their communities. Finally, in the Netherlands, a study has shown an increase in deep sedation, whereby heavy drugs are administered that will result in either a lowered state of consciousness or unconsciousness. This treatment, commonly used as palliative care, is often misused as a form of euthanasia. Education regarding these issues is vitally important; only through understanding can we change hearts to further the cause of Life.
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.
Adult Stem Cell Transplant Successes This March, Family Research Council brought three individuals to Washington, DC, to testify in favor of adult stem cell research. Joining them was Dr. Richard Burt, who authored the article “Clinical Applications of Blood-Derived and Marrow-Derived Stem Cells for Nonmalignant Diseases” (Journal of the American Medical Association, February 27, 2008). He examined hundreds of studies that were conducted between January 1997 and December 2007 and found that therapies using blood- or bone marrow-derived stem cells can successfully and safely treat heart disease and autoimmune disorders.
Barry Goudy, who suffered with multiple sclerosis and consequently could barely walk, testified that he was cured by adult stem cell therapy. Amy Daniels, afflicted with scleroderma, (a rare autoimmune disease that affects connective tissue in the body) was successfully treated with her own stem cells. Jill Rosen had lupus and, after her adult stem cell treatment, was relieved of most of her symptoms.
With so many effective treatments from adult stem cells already in use and new ones being discovered constantly, the need and desire for embryonic stem cell research should diminish. Pro-Life advocates must promote the life-affirming alternatives offered by adult stem cell research.
Revealing the Truth about Abortion and Breast Cancer Pro-Life Waco has posted a billboard in Waco that draws attention to the link between abortion and breast cancer. The billboard reads, “What? An abortion increases my risk for breast cancer? Why does the Komen Race grant $45K to Waco’s Planned Parenthood abortion provider?” They then provide contact information for Pro-Life Waco and for the Abortion Breast Cancer Coalition.
An editorial that ran in the Waco Tribune-Herald accused them of spreading false information: one, that there is no link between abortion and breast cancer, and two, that the Susan Komen Foundation does not provide money for abortions. Firstly, the link between abortion and breast cancer has been discussed for years since the American Cancer Society refuses to recognize any link between the two. However, at least 37 studies have been conducted worldwide on the abortion/breast cancer link, and over 75 percent of them (28 studies) have shown that abortion is a risk factor for breast cancer. The pro-abortion movement has irresponsibly ignored the myriad studies showing a clear correlation between the two. Secondly, Susan Komen, by providing any money for Planned Parenthood—even if it is earmarked for early breast cancer detection—is freeing up more money for their abortion business. For more detailed information on the link between abortion and breast cancer or Planned Parenthood, please visit the Life Issues section on Abortion.
Deep Sedation as “Slow Euthanasia”? A new study in the Netherlands has found an increase in deep sedation and a decrease in euthanasia. The study found that, of those who died, 1,800 people (7.1 percent of all deaths in the Netherlands in 2005) were drugged into continuous deep sedation shortly before dying. Just four years before, only 5.6 percent of people who died received deep sedation. During that same time, the use of euthanasia fell from 2.6 percent to 1.7 percent (a decrease in 1,200 cases). One possible explanation of the decrease in numbers could be that the medical community records deep sedation as a medical treatment rather than an act of euthanasia.
In a commentary by Alex Schadenberg of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, Mr. Schadenberg claims that deep sedation can be used as a legitimate form of palliative care but is often abused as a slow form of euthanasia. If nutrition and hydration are removed, then this measure is clearly being used as a type of euthanasia. However, deep sedation can also be legitimately used for patients suffering great pain. While these patients are in deep sedation, however, nutrition and hydration should be continued. Then, according to Schadenberg, after a short period, the patients should be “relaxed from their time of sedation and can be effectively treated for pain and symptom management without re-sedating them.”
When used as euthanasia, deep sedation is an abuse against some of the most vulnerable members of our society. Though gentler than an abrupt removal of all medical treatment, deep sedation as a form of slow-killing is still that and devalues the infirm and disabled. Additionally, families of the ailing patient are often not even informed that the reason for the deep sedation was to cause death.
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 |
