liveaction--2020-02-27--Disability Royal Commission Chair: Mistreatment of people with disabilities ‘should disturb all Aust

Disability Royal Commission Chair: Mistreatment of people with disabilities ‘should disturb all Australians’

Concerns about the treatment of people with disabilities in Australia has led to horrifying revelations from people testifying before the Disability Royal Commission .
Established in April 2019 , the commission aims to investigate , independently from the government , claims of violence , neglect , abuse , and exploitation — and so far , the findings have been shocking .
One of the biggest problems is poor health care for people with disabilities , which , the Newcastle Herald reported , has been called a “ national disgrace.
” And , as people testified , inadequate care is able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widespread .
“ There most certainly has been a perception that these are other people , out of sight , out of mind , segregated away from society , a view that people with intellectual disability are lesser people with lesser rights , ” NSW Council for Intellectual Disability senior advocate Jim Simpson said .
“ I think there would still be many medical practitioners who would think that for a lot of people with intellectual disability it would be a blessed release for the person and for their family for them to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a son with Angelman syndrome and said he almost died several times , simply because he wasn ’ t given the proper care he needed because of his disabilities .
Doctors delayed treatment for his appendicitis , and again for wisdom tooth removal , and when he ended up in the ICU , a doctor told her “ maybe it would be for the best that he didn ’ t survive.
” An expert likewise testified that as many as 400 people with disabilities die each year in Australia from “ potentially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the commission chair , said , “ I think you will find over the next two weeks that there is evidence that should disturb all Australians and should make all Australians aware that there are very , very serious problems that need to be addressed.
” Witnesses said they had no control over their own treatment , and were subjected to things like electro-shock therapy .
Others were restrained , put into seclusion rooms , or given unnecessary medical treatments against their will .
Another mother , Rachel Browne , watched her 16-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital .
Finlay , who had Down syndrome , was brought to the hospital , where he collapsed onto the floor in pain .
But the medical staff was not eager to give him the help he needed .
READ : Boy with Down syndrome steals royal hearts in Australia “ The triage nurse , when I looked up rolled her eyes , and I thought that ’ s it , we ’ re not going to get the help we need , ” Browne recalled .
She later had to specifically tell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ son .
He spent 61 days in the ICU , but Browne said it was as if no one cared .
“ There was a distinct lack of urgency , ” she explained .
“ Given the serious nature of what they had discovered [ they ] would be actioning better monitoring of Finlay.
” In a previous case , when she had to take Finlay to the emergency room , doctors outright insulted him in the discharge letter .
“ He felt that Finlay… was just a whingy child and suggested I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and let the antibiotics take effect and in essence just let him get over it , ” she said , and then described the discharge note .
“ It referred to Finlay as a grizzly child with Down syndrome who had poor dental hygiene and I felt that comment was completely irrelevant as to why we were there.
” Another mother spoke about her experience with being pressured to have an abortion .
When Toni Mitchell was told that her son would likely have Down syndrome , the medical staff made an appointment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask her first .
“ In that moment they completely disallowed his life .
They said he wasn ’ t worth living , ” she told the commission .
“ [ T ] hat was the moment I had to start justifying my son ’ s right to live and to be treated and I had to start justifying his value to be alive… They kept just judging us based on my decision to give him a chance at life.
” Rebecca Kelly , another Down syndrome mom , had similar experiences to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ care system as “ if you can ’ t cure it … then you eradicate it.
” And while Kelly said that the pressure to have an abortion is real , it ’ s only the beginning .
“ If you think that person ’ s life is a tragedy and that they suffer from this condition then you start to believe that it ’ s an act of kindness or that it ’ s a responsible act to do all you can to prevent that birth , and that becomes quite coercive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If you have a doctor ( who ) thinks that possibly your life ’ s going to be a little bit better if your child doesn ’ t make it because they ’ re taking that burden away from you , that has horrible implications for the level of care that you don ’ t get.
” The Disability Royal Commission is continuing to investigate , with an interim report due in October .
The final report is scheduled to be released in April 2022 — but as it is , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a serious problem with the care and treatment of people with disabilities in Australia , as has been the case in the United States as well .
“ Like ” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary !

Concerns about the treatment of people with disabilities in Australia has led to horrifying revelations from people testifying before the Disability Royal Commission. Established in April 2019, the commission aims to investigate, independently from the government, claims of violence, neglect, abuse, and exploitation — and so far, the findings have been shocking.
One of the biggest problems is poor health care for people with disabilities, which, the Newcastle Herald reported, has been called a “national disgrace.” And, as people testified, inadequate care is able to happen specifically because ableism is so widespread.
“There most certainly has been a perception that these are other people, out of sight, out of mind, segregated away from society, a view that people with intellectual disability are lesser people with lesser rights,” NSW Council for Intellectual Disability senior advocate Jim Simpson said. “I think there would still be many medical practitioners who would think that for a lot of people with intellectual disability it would be a blessed release for the person and for their family for them to die.”
Jaqueline Mills is a mother of a son with Angelman syndrome and said he almost died several times, simply because he wasn’t given the proper care he needed because of his disabilities. Doctors delayed treatment for his appendicitis, and again for wisdom tooth removal, and when he ended up in the ICU, a doctor told her “maybe it would be for the best that he didn’t survive.” An expert likewise testified that as many as 400 people with disabilities die each year in Australia from “potentially avoidable” causes.
Ronald Sackville, the commission chair, said, “I think you will find over the next two weeks that there is evidence that should disturb all Australians and should make all Australians aware that there are very, very serious problems that need to be addressed.” Witnesses said they had no control over their own treatment, and were subjected to things like electro-shock therapy. Others were restrained, put into seclusion rooms, or given unnecessary medical treatments against their will.
Another mother, Rachel Browne, watched her 16-year-old son Finlay die after months in the hospital. Finlay, who had Down syndrome, was brought to the hospital, where he collapsed onto the floor in pain. But the medical staff was not eager to give him the help he needed.
READ: Boy with Down syndrome steals royal hearts in Australia
“The triage nurse, when I looked up rolled her eyes, and I thought that’s it, we’re not going to get the help we need,” Browne recalled. She later had to specifically tell the doctor to speak directly to her son. He spent 61 days in the ICU, but Browne said it was as if no one cared. “There was a distinct lack of urgency,” she explained. “Given the serious nature of what they had discovered [they] would be actioning better monitoring of Finlay.” In a previous case, when she had to take Finlay to the emergency room, doctors outright insulted him in the discharge letter.
“He felt that Finlay… was just a whingy child and suggested I go home and give him more Panadol and let the antibiotics take effect and in essence just let him get over it,” she said, and then described the discharge note. “It referred to Finlay as a grizzly child with Down syndrome who had poor dental hygiene and I felt that comment was completely irrelevant as to why we were there.”
Another mother spoke about her experience with being pressured to have an abortion. When Toni Mitchell was told that her son would likely have Down syndrome, the medical staff made an appointment for an abortion without even bothering to ask her first.
“In that moment they completely disallowed his life. They said he wasn’t worth living,” she told the commission. “[T]hat was the moment I had to start justifying my son’s right to live and to be treated and I had to start justifying his value to be alive… They kept just judging us based on my decision to give him a chance at life.”
Rebecca Kelly, another Down syndrome mom, had similar experiences to Mitchell. Kelly described the Australian health care system as “if you can’t cure it … then you eradicate it.” And while Kelly said that the pressure to have an abortion is real, it’s only the beginning. “If you think that person’s life is a tragedy and that they suffer from this condition then you start to believe that it’s an act of kindness or that it’s a responsible act to do all you can to prevent that birth, and that becomes quite coercive,” Kelly said in her testimony. “If you have a doctor (who) thinks that possibly your life’s going to be a little bit better if your child doesn’t make it because they’re taking that burden away from you, that has horrible implications for the level of care that you don’t get.”
The Disability Royal Commission is continuing to investigate, with an interim report due in October. The final report is scheduled to be released in April 2022 — but as it is, it seems beyond clear that there is a serious problem with the care and treatment of people with disabilities in Australia, as has been the case in the United States as well.
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-02-27--Vox: Population control won’t solve climate change, disproportionately harms people of color

A recently published piece in Vox highlights a new study which questions the popular mentality that having one fewer child is the best way to fight climate change .
The author notes that some climate activists have questioned whether having children is “ still morally acceptable ” based on studies showing the outsized negative climate impacts of having a child .
As Live Action News reported last fall , thousands of scientists are calling for “ world population to be stabilized — and , ideally , gradually reduced ” through contraception , abortion , and sterilization .
Presidential candidates have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Policy as well as promoting taxpayer-funded abortion throughout the world to “ address the climate catastrophe.
” Yet the Founders Pledge study claims that existing research advocating for fewer children has failed to account for two important variables : the downward trend of emissions in most advanced economies , and the effective decarbonization policies enacted by many countries .
As a result , the study contends , our children will likely produce far less pollution than existing research has assumed , meaning that having one fewer child would have nowhere near as positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some climate activists have argued .
WATCH : Pro-Life Replies : Is abortion necessary to prevent overpopulation ?
Although the study ’ s authors admit their research is based on projections , they believe the macro trends they have identified — and which have been overlooked by many climate activists — are sound .
If valid , the new research could help pro-lifers push back against the ideological colonization of those who would use the climate crisis as justification to promote abortion and sterilization in developing countries .
The issue is not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also consists of basic fairness and respect for developing societies .
As even the Vox piece points out , “ One of the problems with the discourse about population and climate is that it can be easily distorted for unprogressive goals , like promoting population control in poor regions .
Since most rich countries already have very low birthrates , the argument that people should have fewer kids may disproportionately affect people of color in the developing world.
” “ Like ” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read transform hearts and minds .
For example , one of our followers , Ross , messaged us and commented : “ I began to question my pro-choice views after reading articles about Live Action…Live Action is primarily responsible for my becoming Pro-Life through their well-thought-out , scientific information and the emotionally and uplifting stories of real people with real experiences in saving the lives of their children regardless of what others might say.
” Knowledge is power and CAN open eyes to SEE the truth .
And , YOU can provide the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , just like Ross .
The DAILY publishing at Live Action News is only made possible through generous people , like you , who give $ 5 , $ 10 , or $ 25 .
Your gift today will not only keep these stories coming in 2020 , but also help us open more eyes and change minds to be fully pro-life and save lives .
Will you join us in creating a world where the killing of preborn children is unthinkable and support Live Action News by making your tax-deductible gift today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ YOUR GIFT TO LIVE ACTION

A recently published piece in Vox highlights a new study which questions the popular mentality that having one fewer child is the best way to fight climate change. The author notes that some climate activists have questioned whether having children is “still morally acceptable” based on studies showing the outsized negative climate impacts of having a child. As Live Action News reported last fall, thousands of scientists are calling for “world population to be stabilized — and, ideally, gradually reduced” through contraception, abortion, and sterilization. Presidential candidates have even encouraged rescinding the pro-life Mexico City Policy as well as promoting taxpayer-funded abortion throughout the world to “address the climate catastrophe.”
Yet the Founders Pledge study claims that existing research advocating for fewer children has failed to account for two important variables: the downward trend of emissions in most advanced economies, and the effective decarbonization policies enacted by many countries. As a result, the study contends, our children will likely produce far less pollution than existing research has assumed, meaning that having one fewer child would have nowhere near as positive of an impact on the environment as some climate activists have argued.
WATCH: Pro-Life Replies: Is abortion necessary to prevent overpopulation?
Although the study’s authors admit their research is based on projections, they believe the macro trends they have identified — and which have been overlooked by many climate activists — are sound.
If valid, the new research could help pro-lifers push back against the ideological colonization of those who would use the climate crisis as justification to promote abortion and sterilization in developing countries. The issue is not only one of respecting human life, but also consists of basic fairness and respect for developing societies.
As even the Vox piece points out, “One of the problems with the discourse about population and climate is that it can be easily distorted for unprogressive goals, like promoting population control in poor regions. Since most rich countries already have very low birthrates, the argument that people should have fewer kids may disproportionately affect people of color in the developing world.”
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-02-27--16-year-old artist with Down syndrome wows fans internationally

In the spring issue of Chip and Joanna Gaines ’ quarterly magazine , “ Magnolia Journal , ” readers met Sevy Marie Eicher , a 16-year-old artist with Down Syndrome , through an interview with her mother Lisa .
Sevy was born in Bulgaria , and became a ward of the state when she was four .
Before Lisa and her husband Joey adopted Sevy at age 12 , she lived in various orphanages and other institutions .
Lisa told Magnolia Journal about seeing Sevy ’ s picture on a Bulgarian orphanage ’ s website .
“ I just knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we were meant for her .
I saw lots of other orphans ’ faces and felt heartbreak for them and wished I could help them all , and her picture wasn ’ t the one that would ’ ve stood out to anybody , but I saw in her eyes that she was my daughter.
” Back in the United States , Lisa , Joey , and their three other children would learn that Sevy was almost completely nonverbal , and that she “ was used to having to fight for everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , anything .
She came to us with a lot of baggage , and she and I ( Lisa ) , especially , really struggled to attach and bond… .
I don ’ t know how many times I have carried her out of stores kicking and screaming and punching and spitting.
” READ : Couple with Down syndrome shows beauty of their love on The Kelly Clarkson Show Lisa recalled the moment everything changed .
One night while Lisa , a writer , sat down for work , Sevy sat down next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ began to draw .
Lisa told MJ , “ Sevy was more calm in that moment drawing than she ever was otherwise.
” Lisa quickly realized that Sevy “ wasn ’ t just scribbling on a page – she was drawing really intricate faces and doing different techniques , ” despite never having taken an art lesson in her life .
She said “ It hit me : She ’ s an artist !
She knows what she ’ s doing !
” What ’ s more , Lisa saw Sevy ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Sevy ’ s version of “ speaking , ” her way of “ trying to tell me something here.
” ( Watch a 2018 YouTube video of Sevy ’ s story as told by her mom Lisa below . )
What began as a post of Sevy ’ s artwork on Lisa ’ s Instagram page led almost unbelievably to an international following .
Sevy ’ s artwork is now available via waitlist only , and people all over the world wait months to be able to purchase one of her canvases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has also founded the nonprofit Sandal Gap Studio , a reference to “ the large space between the big toe and the others ” that is “ one of the unique physical traits that many people with Down Syndrome have.
” According to the studio ’ s website , they aim to offer “ free art and painting classes , unified art projects , photography classes , special needs camps , activities for Down Syndrome adults , and drawing classes.
” In a culture often all too eager to stamp out children with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a poignant reminder that each of us is gifted and a gift in our own particular way .
Rather than emphasizing the ways that people with Down Syndrome are “ different ” or “ less than , ” we all benefit by opening our eyes to the light , life , and joy that they bring into the world .
“ Like ” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary !
Stories like the one you just read transform hearts and minds .
For example , one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and commented : “ I began to question my pro-choice views after reading articles about Live Action…Live Action is primarily responsible for my becoming Pro-Life through their well-thought-out , scientific information and the emotionally and uplifting stories of real people with real experiences in saving the lives of their children regardless of what others might say.
” Knowledge is power and CAN open eyes to SEE the truth .
And , YOU can provide the spark to transform someone ’ s mind , just like Ross .
The DAILY publishing at Live Action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , like you , who give $ 5 , $ 10 , or $ 25 .
Your gift today will not only keep these stories coming in 2020 , but also help us open more eyes and change minds to be fully pro-life and save lives .
Will you join us in creating a world where the killing of preborn children is unthinkable and support Live Action News by making your tax-deductible gift today ?
DEFEND PREBORN CHILDREN IN 2020 MAKE YOUR GIFT TO LIVE ACTION

In the spring issue of Chip and Joanna Gaines’ quarterly magazine, “Magnolia Journal,” readers met Sevy Marie Eicher, a 16-year-old artist with Down Syndrome, through an interview with her mother Lisa. Sevy was born in Bulgaria, and became a ward of the state when she was four. Before Lisa and her husband Joey adopted Sevy at age 12, she lived in various orphanages and other institutions.
Lisa told Magnolia Journal about seeing Sevy’s picture on a Bulgarian orphanage’s website. “I just knew that she was meant for us and that we were meant for her. I saw lots of other orphans’ faces and felt heartbreak for them and wished I could help them all, and her picture wasn’t the one that would’ve stood out to anybody, but I saw in her eyes that she was my daughter.”
Back in the United States, Lisa, Joey, and their three other children would learn that Sevy was almost completely nonverbal, and that she “was used to having to fight for everything in her life – food, toys, anything. She came to us with a lot of baggage, and she and I (Lisa), especially, really struggled to attach and bond…. I don’t know how many times I have carried her out of stores kicking and screaming and punching and spitting.”
READ: Couple with Down syndrome shows beauty of their love on The Kelly Clarkson Show
Lisa recalled the moment everything changed. One night while Lisa, a writer, sat down for work, Sevy sat down next to her with paper and pencils and began to draw. Lisa told MJ, “Sevy was more calm in that moment drawing than she ever was otherwise.” Lisa quickly realized that Sevy “wasn’t just scribbling on a page – she was drawing really intricate faces and doing different techniques,” despite never having taken an art lesson in her life. She said “It hit me: She’s an artist! She knows what she’s doing!” What’s more, Lisa saw Sevy’s artwork, whether drawing or painting, as Sevy’s version of “speaking,” her way of “trying to tell me something here.” (Watch a 2018 YouTube video of Sevy’s story as told by her mom Lisa below.)

What began as a post of Sevy’s artwork on Lisa’s Instagram page led almost unbelievably to an international following. Sevy’s artwork is now available via waitlist only, and people all over the world wait months to be able to purchase one of her canvases or other artwork.
The Eicher family has also founded the nonprofit Sandal Gap Studio, a reference to “the large space between the big toe and the others” that is “one of the unique physical traits that many people with Down Syndrome have.” According to the studio’s website, they aim to offer “free art and painting classes, unified art projects, photography classes, special needs camps, activities for Down Syndrome adults, and drawing classes.”
In a culture often all too eager to stamp out children with Down Syndrome, Sevy and her family are a poignant reminder that each of us is gifted and a gift in our own particular way. Rather than emphasizing the ways that people with Down Syndrome are “different” or “less than,” we all benefit by opening our eyes to the light, life, and joy that they bring into the world.
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-02-26--Illegal surrogacy ring in Thailand caught trafficking babies to China

Nine people have been arrested after authorities busted a surrogacy ring in Thailand .
Seven Thai surrogates and two Chinese nationals are accused of organizing a multi-national surrogacy ring , which included trafficking the babies to China once they were born .
According to Channel News Asia , it ’ s believed to be the biggest criminal organization of commercial surrogacy since it was made illegal in 2015 in the country .
The Operation Stop Child Born investigation concluded last year , and the raids were conducted earlier this month .
Most of the suspects were apprehended in Thailand , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before being caught .
“ [ W ] e managed to save so many lives .
This is a transnational crime – trafficking in persons , ” Police Major General Torsak Sukvimol , deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau in Thailand , said in a statement .
Police further added that the operation is headed by foreigners outside of Thailand , and it was forced to go international after the Thai surrogacy laws changed .
“ Before the surrogacy law came into effect , their operation took place in Thailand , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and child delivery , ” Police Major General Worawat Watnakornbancha , chief of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division , explained .
“ But once the law came out in 2015 , the operation changed .
Embryo implantation now takes place in neighbouring countries while prenatal care continues in Thailand and child delivery at the country of destination , which makes it hard to crackdown.
” READ : Surrogacy does nothing to protect children .
Little Bridget in Ukraine is proof .
The country of destination was China .
According to the Bangkok Post @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but then returned home without their infants .
Where they were trafficked to is not known .
Two babies were recovered safely .
Sukvimol estimated that the Chinese nationals ran a fraudulent business , used as a front to hire at least 100 Thai women .
At least 50 babies have been trafficked out of the country .
China has long been known for its oppressive population control measures , even including forcing women to abort very late in pregnancy .
Thailand was forced to crack down on commercial surrogacy in 2015 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unethical practices taking place there .
Low-income Thai women were being hired to be surrogates by wealthy western couples .
In the Baby Gammy case , an Australian couple hired a Thai surrogate to carry their child .
At seven months , they found out she was carrying twins , and that one of the twins — a boy — had Down syndrome .
The couple told the surrogate to have an abortion , but she refused .
The surrogate , Pattaramon Janbua , was left to raise Baby Gammy by herself , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home with them , but abandoned Gammy .
The case sparked international outrage , and so Thai officials made it illegal for non-Thai residents to enter commercial surrogacy contracts .
Other controversies found multiple babies fathered by the same Japanese man using Thai surrogates .
The Thai surrogacy industry had previously been mostly unregulated .
What all of these cases truly indicate is how surrogacy so easily dehumanizes children , turning them into products to be bought and sold , instead of treated as human beings with inherent dignity and rights .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for more pro-life news and commentary !
Stories like the one you just read transform hearts and minds .
For example , one of our followers , Ross , messaged us and commented : “ I began to question my pro-choice views after reading articles about Live Action…Live Action is primarily responsible for my becoming Pro-Life through their well-thought-out , scientific information and the emotionally and uplifting stories of real people with real experiences in saving the lives of their children regardless of what others might say.
” Knowledge is power and CAN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And , YOU can provide the spark to transform someone ’ s mind , just like Ross .
The DAILY publishing at Live Action News is only made possible through generous people , like you , who give $ 5 , $ 10 , or $ 25 .
Your gift today will not only keep these stories coming in 2020 , but also help us open more eyes and change minds to be fully pro-life and save lives .
Will you join us in creating a world where the killing of preborn children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by making your tax-deductible gift today ?
DEFEND PREBORN CHILDREN IN 2020 MAKE YOUR GIFT TO LIVE ACTION

Nine people have been arrested after authorities busted a surrogacy ring in Thailand. Seven Thai surrogates and two Chinese nationals are accused of organizing a multi-national surrogacy ring, which included trafficking the babies to China once they were born. According to Channel News Asia, it’s believed to be the biggest criminal organization of commercial surrogacy since it was made illegal in 2015 in the country.
The Operation Stop Child Born investigation concluded last year, and the raids were conducted earlier this month. Most of the suspects were apprehended in Thailand, but one had already fled to China before being caught. “[W]e managed to save so many lives. This is a transnational crime – trafficking in persons,” Police Major General Torsak Sukvimol, deputy commissioner of the Central Investigation Bureau in Thailand, said in a statement. Police further added that the operation is headed by foreigners outside of Thailand, and it was forced to go international after the Thai surrogacy laws changed.
“Before the surrogacy law came into effect, their operation took place in Thailand, including embryo implantation, pregnancy, prenatal care and child delivery,” Police Major General Worawat Watnakornbancha, chief of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division, explained. “But once the law came out in 2015, the operation changed. Embryo implantation now takes place in neighbouring countries while prenatal care continues in Thailand and child delivery at the country of destination, which makes it hard to crackdown.”
READ: Surrogacy does nothing to protect children. Little Bridget in Ukraine is proof.
The country of destination was China. According to the Bangkok Post, the mothers delivered in China, but then returned home without their infants. Where they were trafficked to is not known. Two babies were recovered safely. Sukvimol estimated that the Chinese nationals ran a fraudulent business, used as a front to hire at least 100 Thai women. At least 50 babies have been trafficked out of the country. China has long been known for its oppressive population control measures, even including forcing women to abort very late in pregnancy.
Thailand was forced to crack down on commercial surrogacy in 2015, after the Baby Gammy controversy highlighted the unethical practices taking place there. Low-income Thai women were being hired to be surrogates by wealthy western couples. In the Baby Gammy case, an Australian couple hired a Thai surrogate to carry their child. At seven months, they found out she was carrying twins, and that one of the twins — a boy — had Down syndrome. The couple told the surrogate to have an abortion, but she refused. The surrogate, Pattaramon Janbua, was left to raise Baby Gammy by herself, as the Australian couple took his sister home with them, but abandoned Gammy. The case sparked international outrage, and so Thai officials made it illegal for non-Thai residents to enter commercial surrogacy contracts.
Other controversies found multiple babies fathered by the same Japanese man using Thai surrogates. The Thai surrogacy industry had previously been mostly unregulated. What all of these cases truly indicate is how surrogacy so easily dehumanizes children, turning them into products to be bought and sold, instead of treated as human beings with inherent dignity and rights.
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-02-26--Hallie Jackson called ‘warrior’ for moderating Democratic debate while 8 months pregnant

Last week , the Democratic presidential candidates met in Las Vegas for a debate — but it ’ s one of the moderators who is getting the attention now .
Hallie Jackson , NBC ’ s Chief White House Correspondent , moderated the debate while eight months pregnant , alongside Vanessa Hauc .
Before the debate , both Jackson and Hauc were interviewed by InStyle Magazine , and Jackson specifically spoke about juggling motherhood with her career .
She explained that it helps to work alongside women who are also both mothers and journalists and that her priorities had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was extremely fatigued in my first trimester , which I chalked up to usual overwork , until my partner Frank reminded me I ’ m growing a baby , ” Jackson , who is having a little girl , told InStyle .
“ I ’ ve also been very conscious of taking care of myself as much as possible by eating healthy , working out , and resting when I need to .
None of those things would have ever taken precedence over work for me before my pregnancy , for better @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s been an unexpected shift in my priorities.
” READ : Pregnant Olympians prove motherhood doesn ’ t have to mean ending a career She again called attention to her pregnancy before the debate , tweeting , “ Yep , I ’ ll be walking my 8-and-a-half-month pregnant self on stage tonight for the Democratic debate.
” Unsurprisingly , Jackson ’ s ground-breaking moment was incredibly inspirational for many people , calling her a “ warrior , ” and a “ bad***.
” In an interview with Yahoo Lifestyle , Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ praises .
“ Hallie Jackson could be the poster child for what a committed working woman looks like by not letting pregnancy come between her profession and pending motherhood , ” she said .
But it was a series of responses from some fans which truly illustrated why this was such a major moment .
Pregnancy discrimination is something that continues to happen with alarming frequency , even now .
Companies like UPS , Google , Nike , and Planned Parenthood have all been accused of systemic pregnancy discrimination .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pregnancy can penalize women , keeping them from getting hired or promoted , and making them more likely to get fired .
And legalized abortion makes this kind of discrimination even more possible .
If a woman can have an abortion , businesses have no reason to accommodate pregnancy and women may feel pressured to abort .
All women should be able to celebrate motherhood and their careers without feeling as though they have to choose between their child ’ s life and their job .
“ Like ” Live Action News on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Stories like the one you just read transform hearts and minds .
For example , one of our followers , Ross , messaged us and commented : “ I began to question my pro-choice views after reading articles about Live Action…Live Action is primarily responsible for my becoming Pro-Life through their well-thought-out , scientific information and the emotionally and uplifting stories of real people with real experiences in saving the lives of their children regardless of what others might say.
” Knowledge is power and CAN open eyes to SEE the truth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spark to transform someone ’ s mind , just like Ross .
The DAILY publishing at Live Action News is only made possible through generous people , like you , who give $ 5 , $ 10 , or $ 25 .
Your gift today will not only keep these stories coming in 2020 , but also help us open more eyes and change minds to be fully pro-life and save lives .
Will you join us in creating a world where the killing of preborn children is unthinkable and support Live Action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
DEFEND PREBORN CHILDREN IN 2020 MAKE YOUR GIFT TO LIVE ACTION

Last week, the Democratic presidential candidates met in Las Vegas for a debate — but it’s one of the moderators who is getting the attention now. Hallie Jackson, NBC’s Chief White House Correspondent, moderated the debate while eight months pregnant, alongside Vanessa Hauc.
Before the debate, both Jackson and Hauc were interviewed by InStyle Magazine, and Jackson specifically spoke about juggling motherhood with her career. She explained that it helps to work alongside women who are also both mothers and journalists and that her priorities had to change once she was pregnant.
“I was extremely fatigued in my first trimester, which I chalked up to usual overwork, until my partner Frank reminded me I’m growing a baby,” Jackson, who is having a little girl, told InStyle. “I’ve also been very conscious of taking care of myself as much as possible by eating healthy, working out, and resting when I need to. None of those things would have ever taken precedence over work for me before my pregnancy, for better or for worse, so for me it’s been an unexpected shift in my priorities.”
READ: Pregnant Olympians prove motherhood doesn’t have to mean ending a career
She again called attention to her pregnancy before the debate, tweeting, “Yep, I’ll be walking my 8-and-a-half-month pregnant self on stage tonight for the Democratic debate.” Unsurprisingly, Jackson’s ground-breaking moment was incredibly inspirational for many people, calling her a “warrior,” and a “bad***.” In an interview with Yahoo Lifestyle, Dr. Sherry A. Ross sang Jackson’s praises.
“Hallie Jackson could be the poster child for what a committed working woman looks like by not letting pregnancy come between her profession and pending motherhood,” she said. But it was a series of responses from some fans which truly illustrated why this was such a major moment.
This is so wonderful! my mother was a local tv reporter back in the 1960s and as soon as she got pregnant with my sister she was fired. So I have especially loved seeing all of the pregnant women on MSNBC and CNBC. Things are finally changing. — Kelly Smith/#NoNRA (@aitchee) February 19, 2020
I'm an old lady. When I got married in the 1970's I could not get a job.
Interviewer, "Oh I see you are married. Are you pregnant? Do you plan on getting pregnant?" Yep, the good old days. — KL (@KL04655767) February 20, 2020
walk it with style for all those who should have walked it pregnant before you but were not allowed. Go mama — carol cadoo (@CadooCarol) February 19, 2020
Pregnancy discrimination is something that continues to happen with alarming frequency, even now. Companies like UPS, Google, Nike, and Planned Parenthood have all been accused of systemic pregnancy discrimination. It’s been reported that even the possibility of pregnancy can penalize women, keeping them from getting hired or promoted, and making them more likely to get fired. And legalized abortion makes this kind of discrimination even more possible. If a woman can have an abortion, businesses have no reason to accommodate pregnancy and women may feel pressured to abort.
All women should be able to celebrate motherhood and their careers without feeling as though they have to choose between their child’s life and their job.
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liveaction--2020-02-26--Former Planned Parenthood of Delaware nurse: State wouldn’t inspect until woman badly injured

In a webcast sponsored by And Then There Were None , former abortion worker Jayne spoke about terrible conditions at Planned Parenthood of Delaware .
There were untrained staff , women not being given the medicine they needed , blood on operating tables , women rushed out the door unable to walk because the anesthesia hadn ’ t worn off , medication administered improperly , and staff that rushed through abortion procedures .
Jayne discovered Planned Parenthood was not inspected or regulated , unlike hospitals where she ’ d worked : [ A ] t the hospital , you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s an independent agency … a whole thing that has nothing to do with that organization… At Planned Parenthood , there [ are ] no inspections because Planned Parenthood inspects themselves … Planned Parenthood of Delaware had nobody overseeing them , so they have just been running rampant for however long they ’ ve been here .
Jayne tried to get the people running the facility to address the serious problems she saw , but it quickly became apparent they would do nothing .
So , she decided to report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inside Planned Parenthood first – but when I found out that wasn ’ t going to happen , that that wasn ’ t going to work , then I went ahead and reported to the State .
I used a friendly little form anybody can fill out .
There ’ s a certain one just for medical people so I reported as a medical person .
By now , she had left the facility , as it had become a toxic environment for her .
Fellow staff members and administration had told her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them , and would never work in the healthcare industry again .
They also told her that reporting was futile because the State would do nothing .
The Board of Health , however , told Jane they would take care of the problems .
“ [ The State Board of Health ] got back to me and said that they were going to take care of everything , ” she said .
“ The State told me that they were going to go in and get that cleaned up and get back to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from them .
Then a woman was badly injured at the facility : [ M ] y husband was watching TV and he said , Jane , there ’ s this thing on here about Planned Parenthood… and I came to look at it , and it was a patient that was being wheeled out [ in ] a stretcher , and they had an oxygen mask , and I remember very clearly that the oxygen mask was not pliable .
You couldn ’ t use it , it ’ d been in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So , you couldn ’ t even put it on , to form it on her face .
… I saw that they were trying to get on her mask… .
I knew that they were having trouble with the oxygen mask , and at that point I realized [ the State ] never went in and inspected them .
Because that would ’ ve never been there .
There never would ’ ve been a mask that was not pliable.… How serious the woman ’ s injuries were , or if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Strongly suspecting the state had lied about inspecting , Jayne called and asked for the inspection report .
Sure enough , there was no report : [ I ] asked for the – I ’ d like to see the information that they gathered – how many syringes , what was it that they found , and they had no report to show… , [ I ] n fact , they did not go in.… They did not do it .
They said they did , the State , the Health Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the regulations , the professional license people , we did it all , we took care of everything… .
[ T ] hey didn ’ t do anything the first time .
And knowing that they didn ’ t do anything at that point , then they lost all credibility with me .
Planned Parenthood was right .
The state had done nothing to protect women .
So , with that I was furious .
I called… all the places I could possibly think of .
It was OSHA [ Occupational Health and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like , okay , you don ’ t care about the patients ?
And they said no , we just care about the employees .
And I said , well then , come see the employees .
There ’ s plenty to see .
It took a lot just to get somebody to listen .
So , the second time though they did go in , and then Planned Parenthood… closed down for a while.… Dr. Timothy Liveright [ the abortionist ] was given the opportunity to hand over his license in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ badly botched abortion and a woman terribly injured to get the State to address the problems at Planned Parenthood .
Even though Liveright lost his license in Delaware , Planned Parenthood didn ’ t dismiss him .
Instead , they transferred him to another Planned Parenthood facility out of state .
He is now committing abortions in Pennsylvania .
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In a webcast sponsored by And Then There Were None, former abortion worker Jayne spoke about terrible conditions at Planned Parenthood of Delaware. There were untrained staff, women not being given the medicine they needed, blood on operating tables, women rushed out the door unable to walk because the anesthesia hadn’t worn off, medication administered improperly, and staff that rushed through abortion procedures.
Jayne discovered Planned Parenthood was not inspected or regulated, unlike hospitals where she’d worked:
[A]t the hospital, you have people, a team that comes in, it’s an independent agency … a whole thing that has nothing to do with that organization… At Planned Parenthood, there [are] no inspections because Planned Parenthood inspects themselves … Planned Parenthood of Delaware had nobody overseeing them, so they have just been running rampant for however long they’ve been here.
Jayne tried to get the people running the facility to address the serious problems she saw, but it quickly became apparent they would do nothing. So, she decided to report them:
I tried to work from inside Planned Parenthood first – but when I found out that wasn’t going to happen, that that wasn’t going to work, then I went ahead and reported to the State. I used a friendly little form anybody can fill out. There’s a certain one just for medical people so I reported as a medical person.
By now, she had left the facility, as it had become a toxic environment for her. Fellow staff members and administration had told her she would be blackballed if she reported them, and would never work in the healthcare industry again. They also told her that reporting was futile because the State would do nothing.

The Board of Health, however, told Jane they would take care of the problems. “[The State Board of Health] got back to me and said that they were going to take care of everything,” she said. “The State told me that they were going to go in and get that cleaned up and get back to me.”
But she never heard back from them. Then a woman was badly injured at the facility:
[M]y husband was watching TV and he said, Jane, there’s this thing on here about Planned Parenthood… and I came to look at it, and it was a patient that was being wheeled out [in] a stretcher, and they had an oxygen mask, and I remember very clearly that the oxygen mask was not pliable. You couldn’t use it, it’d been in there just rotting away, dry rot. So, you couldn’t even put it on, to form it on her face. … I saw that they were trying to get on her mask…. I knew that they were having trouble with the oxygen mask, and at that point I realized [the State] never went in and inspected them. Because that would’ve never been there. There never would’ve been a mask that was not pliable.…
How serious the woman’s injuries were, or if she even survived, is unknown.
READ: Nurses: Planned Parenthood administrators, Delaware regulators failed to address ‘meat market’ conditions
Strongly suspecting the state had lied about inspecting, Jayne called and asked for the inspection report. Sure enough, there was no report:
[I] asked for the – I’d like to see the information that they gathered – how many syringes, what was it that they found, and they had no report to show…, [I]n fact, they did not go in.… They did not do it. They said they did, the State, the Health Department of Delaware said yes we did that, the regulations, the professional license people, we did it all, we took care of everything…. [T]hey didn’t do anything the first time. And knowing that they didn’t do anything at that point, then they lost all credibility with me.
Planned Parenthood was right. The state had done nothing to protect women.
Jayne began making more phone calls:
So, with that I was furious. I called… all the places I could possibly think of. It was OSHA [Occupational Health and Safety Administration] – I’m like, okay, you don’t care about the patients? And they said no, we just care about the employees. And I said, well then, come see the employees. There’s plenty to see. It took a lot just to get somebody to listen.
Finally, the State decided to intervene. Jayne recalled:
So, the second time though they did go in, and then Planned Parenthood… closed down for a while.… Dr. Timothy Liveright [the abortionist] was given the opportunity to hand over his license in the state of Delaware.
It took a badly botched abortion and a woman terribly injured to get the State to address the problems at Planned Parenthood.
Even though Liveright lost his license in Delaware, Planned Parenthood didn’t dismiss him. Instead, they transferred him to another Planned Parenthood facility out of state. He is now committing abortions in Pennsylvania.
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liveaction--2020-02-26--Richard Dawkins: ‘Of course’ eugenics would work for human beings

A string of tweets from Richard Dawkins has re-ignited the argument over eugenics .
While many oppose the practice in word , it ’ s all too common for people to support it in deed .
Things like abortion , sterilization , and euthanasia are frequently used to weed out those who are deemed unwanted .
Abortion in particular frequently targets people with disabilities , or who happen to be the “ wrong ” gender their parents were hoping for .
Yet oddly , Dawkins , a biologist and an outspoken atheist , mused about how successful he feels eugenics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humans .
“ It ’ s one thing to deplore eugenics on ideological , political , moral grounds .
It ’ s quite another to conclude that it wouldn ’ t work in practice , ” Dawkins began .
“ Of course it would .
It works for cows , horses , pigs , dogs & roses .
Why on earth wouldn ’ t it work for humans ?
Facts ignore ideology.
” As Twitter users quickly — and understandably — grew upset , Dawkins tried to argue that he doesn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just letting people know that scientifically , it ’ s possible .
Of course , those statements did little to quell the anger .
“ The crux of this tired argument is always who decides which human traits ( and which humans ) are superior or inferior ?
” one person pointed out .
“ How ’ d the application of this play out in 1940s Europe ?
” READ : Are abortion , eugenics , and racism linked ?
These quotes prove that they are .
Another person reasoned that the science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what Dawkins is claiming .
“ We turned magnificent wolves into pure breed dogs with severe genetic defects causing joint and heart problems and cancer , ” they wrote .
“ In fact , many Cavalier spaniels develop mitral valve and neurological disorders.
” And while Dawkins tried to claim that he doesn ’ t support eugenics himself , his past statements seem to indicate otherwise .
After all , he has previously argued that it is immoral to knowingly bring a child with Down syndrome into the world ; for Dawkins , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation is to have an abortion .
Eugenics is also alive and well across the globe .
Currently , Uighur Muslims are being killed in a horrific genocide in China , simply because of their ethnicity .
People with Down syndrome are targeted for abortion in countries like Iceland , Denmark , Poland , and the Netherlands .
Comments like those made by Richard Dawkins are dangerous because they give these regimes and crimes legitimacy .
It makes eugenics look as if it is science-based , when in truth , eugenics is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To pretend as if it would not only be possible , but positive , to use eugenics on human beings is entirely wrong .
“ Like ” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary !
Stories like the one you just read transform hearts and minds .
For example , one of our followers , Ross , messaged us and commented : “ I began to question my pro-choice views after reading articles about Live Action…Live Action is primarily responsible for my becoming Pro-Life through their well-thought-out , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories of real people with real experiences in saving the lives of their children regardless of what others might say.
” Knowledge is power and CAN open eyes to SEE the truth .
And , YOU can provide the spark to transform someone ’ s mind , just like Ross .
The DAILY publishing at Live Action News is only made possible through generous people , like you , who give $ 5 , $ 10 , or $ 25 .
Your gift today will not only keep these stories coming in 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyes and change minds to be fully pro-life and save lives .
Will you join us in creating a world where the killing of preborn children is unthinkable and support Live Action News by making your tax-deductible gift today ?
DEFEND PREBORN CHILDREN IN 2020 MAKE YOUR GIFT TO LIVE ACTION

A string of tweets from Richard Dawkins has re-ignited the argument over eugenics. While many oppose the practice in word, it’s all too common for people to support it in deed. Things like abortion, sterilization, and euthanasia are frequently used to weed out those who are deemed unwanted. Abortion in particular frequently targets people with disabilities, or who happen to be the “wrong” gender their parents were hoping for. Yet oddly, Dawkins, a biologist and an outspoken atheist, mused about how successful he feels eugenics would be if we used it on humans.
“It’s one thing to deplore eugenics on ideological, political, moral grounds. It’s quite another to conclude that it wouldn’t work in practice,” Dawkins began. “Of course it would. It works for cows, horses, pigs, dogs & roses. Why on earth wouldn’t it work for humans? Facts ignore ideology.”
As Twitter users quickly — and understandably — grew upset, Dawkins tried to argue that he doesn’t actually favor eugenics. He’s just letting people know that scientifically, it’s possible.
For those determined to miss the point, I deplore the idea of a eugenic policy. I simply said deploring it doesn’t mean it wouldn’t work. Just as we breed cows to yield more milk, we could breed humans to run faster or jump higher. But heaven forbid that we should do it. — Richard Dawkins (@RichardDawkins) February 16, 2020
A eugenic policy would be bad. I’m combating the illogical step from “X would be bad” to “So X is impossible”. It would work in the same sense as it works for cows. Let’s fight it on moral grounds. Deny obvious scientific facts & we lose – or at best derail – the argument. — Richard Dawkins (@RichardDawkins) February 16, 2020
Of course, those statements did little to quell the anger. “The crux of this tired argument is always who decides which human traits (and which humans) are superior or inferior?” one person pointed out. “How’d the application of this play out in 1940s Europe?”
READ: Are abortion, eugenics, and racism linked? These quotes prove that they are.
Another person reasoned that the science behind eugenics actually is bad, despite what Dawkins is claiming. “We turned magnificent wolves into pure breed dogs with severe genetic defects causing joint and heart problems and cancer,” they wrote. “In fact, many Cavalier spaniels develop mitral valve and neurological disorders.”
Tell me more about how it’s working for dogs bb pic.twitter.com/MlJr41TI8B — Katie (@ZiziFothSi) February 16, 2020
And while Dawkins tried to claim that he doesn’t support eugenics himself, his past statements seem to indicate otherwise. After all, he has previously argued that it is immoral to knowingly bring a child with Down syndrome into the world; for Dawkins, the ethical thing to do in that situation is to have an abortion.
Eugenics is also alive and well across the globe. Currently, Uighur Muslims are being killed in a horrific genocide in China, simply because of their ethnicity. People with Down syndrome are targeted for abortion in countries like Iceland, Denmark, Poland, and the Netherlands.
Comments like those made by Richard Dawkins are dangerous because they give these regimes and crimes legitimacy. It makes eugenics look as if it is science-based, when in truth, eugenics is an ideology. It is unscientific and unacceptable. To pretend as if it would not only be possible, but positive, to use eugenics on human beings is entirely wrong.
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-02-26--New Trump admin board to decide ethics of tax-funded research on aborted babies

( Life Site News ) The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services ( HHS ) is soliciting nominations to an advisory board to help the Trump administration craft ethical policies with regard to the use of aborted babies in medical research .
HHS announced the creation of the National Institutes of Health ( NIH ) Human Fetal Tissue Research Ethics Advisory Board last June , following controversy over the administration contracting with Advanced Bioscience Resources , Inc. ( ABR ) and the University of California-San Francisco ( UCSF ) on experiments to give mice “ humanized ” immune systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Following criticism from pro-lifers , HHS canceled the contracts and pledged to audit the other projects it was funding for similar ethical conflicts .
It also announced the advisory board , which will “ review [ future ] research proposal and recommend whether , in light of the ethical considerations , NIH should fund the research project.
” Last week , HHS announced it was soliciting nominations of “ qualified individuals ” to the board for review by the administration .
That announcement was posted to the Federal Register today .
“ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are not federal employees , ” the announcement reads .
It must include at least one attorney , at least one ethicist , at least one practicing physician , and at least one theologian .
Between a third and half of the appointments must be “ scientists with substantial accomplishments in biomedical or behavioral research.
” “ The Ethics Board will advise , consult with , and make recommendations to , the Secretary of Health and Human Services ( Secretary ) regarding the ethics of research involving human fetal tissue ( HFT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement applications and R & D contract Proposals , ” it explains .
“ Recommendations will address whether the Secretary should withhold funds or not withhold funds from a proposed project because of ethical considerations .
In providing advice and recommendations on these matters , the Ethics Board will consider , among other things , the use of alternative models , and review and verify the core ethical principles and procedures used in the process to obtain written voluntary informed consent for the donation of the tissue.
” Pro-life representation on the board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of those who take a more lax view of the issue , including those within the administration .
In December 2018 , controversy broke out over NIH Director Francis Collins arguing there was a “ strong case ” for using fetal tissue even if derived from abortions , just as HHS was auditing the funding of such research .
“ Nothing that Dr. Collins said should be seen as pre-judging the outcome of the review , ” HHS subsequently clarified .
Those interested in nominating someone to the board can find further details @ @ @ @ @ @ @ send nominations in the announcement .
Nominations must be received within 30 days of the notice ’ s publication in the Federal Register ( February 20 ) .
Editor ’ s Note : This article was published at Life Site News and is reprinted here with permission .
“ Like ” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary !
Stories like the one you just read transform hearts and minds .
For example , one of our followers , Ross , messaged us and commented : “ I began @ @ @ @ @ @ @ articles about Live Action…Live Action is primarily responsible for my becoming Pro-Life through their well-thought-out , scientific information and the emotionally and uplifting stories of real people with real experiences in saving the lives of their children regardless of what others might say.
” Knowledge is power and CAN open eyes to SEE the truth .
And , YOU can provide the spark to transform someone ’ s mind , just like Ross .
The DAILY publishing at Live Action News is only made possible through generous people , like you , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or $ 25 .
Your gift today will not only keep these stories coming in 2020 , but also help us open more eyes and change minds to be fully pro-life and save lives .
Will you join us in creating a world where the killing of preborn children is unthinkable and support Live Action News by making your tax-deductible gift today ?
DEFEND PREBORN CHILDREN IN 2020 MAKE YOUR GIFT TO LIVE ACTION

(Life Site News) The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is soliciting nominations to an advisory board to help the Trump administration craft ethical policies with regard to the use of aborted babies in medical research.
HHS announced the creation of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Human Fetal Tissue Research Ethics Advisory Board last June, following controversy over the administration contracting with Advanced Bioscience Resources, Inc. (ABR) and the University of California-San Francisco (UCSF) on experiments to give mice “humanized” immune systems for the purpose of drug testing.
Following criticism from pro-lifers, HHS canceled the contracts and pledged to audit the other projects it was funding for similar ethical conflicts. It also announced the advisory board, which will “review [future] research proposal and recommend whether, in light of the ethical considerations, NIH should fund the research project.”
Last week, HHS announced it was soliciting nominations of “qualified individuals” to the board for review by the administration. That announcement was posted to the Federal Register today.
READ: Top 5 shocking under-oath admissions about Planned Parenthood’s sale of aborted babies
“The Board will be composed of 15 individuals who are not federal employees,” the announcement reads. It must include at least one attorney, at least one ethicist, at least one practicing physician, and at least one theologian. Between a third and half of the appointments must be “scientists with substantial accomplishments in biomedical or behavioral research.”
“The Ethics Board will advise, consult with, and make recommendations to, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) regarding the ethics of research involving human fetal tissue (HFT) proposed in NIH grant and cooperative agreement applications and R&D contract Proposals,” it explains. “Recommendations will address whether the Secretary should withhold funds or not withhold funds from a proposed project because of ethical considerations. In providing advice and recommendations on these matters, the Ethics Board will consider, among other things, the use of alternative models, and review and verify the core ethical principles and procedures used in the process to obtain written voluntary informed consent for the donation of the tissue.”
Pro-life representation on the board will be critical to countering the advice of those who take a more lax view of the issue, including those within the administration. In December 2018, controversy broke out over NIH Director Francis Collins arguing there was a “strong case” for using fetal tissue even if derived from abortions, just as HHS was auditing the funding of such research.
“Nothing that Dr. Collins said should be seen as pre-judging the outcome of the review,” HHS subsequently clarified.
Those interested in nominating someone to the board can find further details on materials to submit and where to send nominations in the announcement. Nominations must be received within 30 days of the notice’s publication in the Federal Register (February 20).
Editor’s Note: This article was published at Life Site News and is reprinted here with permission.
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-02-25--Pro-abortion politicians kill vote to protect pain-capable preborn babies and abortion survivors

The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act both died today on the Senate floor .
The two bills were blocked after short debate because the motions to proceed failed to reach the required cloture — or 60 votes — in favor of moving the legislation forward for actual votes .
The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act was introduced by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and would have protected preborn children in the U.S. from abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy .
The United States is one of only seven countries in the world , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elective abortion after this point .
According to a 2020 Marist poll , 55 percent of Americans support banning abortion after five months .
This includes 45 percent of self-identified pro-choicers .
A WomanTrend poll from 2017 found that 78 percent of Millennial voters , 67 percent of women voters , and 70 percent of African-American voters all support abortion bans after five months .
Despite general American voter sentiment on this issue and the scientific research proving that preborn children can certainly feel pain by 20 weeks — and quite possibly much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes in favor of the motion to proceed ( 44 against ) , seven votes short of the required 60 .
Democrat presidential candidates Sen. Amy Klobuchar ( D-MN ) , Sen. Elizabeth Warren ( D-MA ) , and Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) were the only three Senators who did not vote , but all three voted “ no ” on the 2015 and 2018 versions of the bill .
Republican Senators Susan Collins ( ME ) and Lisa Murkowski ( AK ) voted “ no ” on the motion to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Preborn babies feel pain far earlier than we thought All but three Democrats — Sen. Bob Casey ( PA ) , Doug Jones ( AL ) and Sen. Joe Manchin ( WV ) — voted to block The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act , introduced by Sen. Ben Sasse ( R-NE ) .
This bill came up just four votes short of moving to final vote ( 56-41 ) .
This bill would have mandated that babies born alive after botched abortions could not be left to die or killed outside the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll from 2019 found that 77 percent of American voters believe a baby born alive in the U.S. should be protected .
Sen. Sasse railed on opponents of the bill during debate , noting that this “ legislation we ’ re considering today is not in any way an abortion bill , so the anti-choice legislation rhetoric that you ’ re using doesn ’ t have anything to do with the actual legislation that we ’ re voting on this afternoon.
” Because both bills were blocked , neither will proceed to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary !
Stories like the one you just read transform hearts and minds .
For example , one of our followers , Ross , messaged us and commented : “ I began to question my pro-choice views after reading articles about Live Action…Live Action is primarily responsible for my becoming Pro-Life through their well-thought-out , scientific information and the emotionally and uplifting stories of real people with real experiences in saving the lives of their children regardless of what others might say.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ eyes to SEE the truth .
And , YOU can provide the spark to transform someone ’ s mind , just like Ross .
The DAILY publishing at Live Action News is only made possible through generous people , like you , who give $ 5 , $ 10 , or $ 25 .
Your gift today will not only keep these stories coming in 2020 , but also help us open more eyes and change minds to be fully pro-life and save lives .
Will you join us in creating a world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unthinkable and support Live Action News by making your tax-deductible gift today ?
DEFEND PREBORN CHILDREN IN 2020 MAKE YOUR GIFT TO LIVE ACTION

The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act both died today on the Senate floor. The two bills were blocked after short debate because the motions to proceed failed to reach the required cloture — or 60 votes — in favor of moving the legislation forward for actual votes.
The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act was introduced by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and would have protected preborn children in the U.S. from abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy. The United States is one of only seven countries in the world, including China and North Korea, that allows elective abortion after this point.
According to a 2020 Marist poll, 55 percent of Americans support banning abortion after five months. This includes 45 percent of self-identified pro-choicers. A WomanTrend poll from 2017 found that 78 percent of Millennial voters, 67 percent of women voters, and 70 percent of African-American voters all support abortion bans after five months.

Despite general American voter sentiment on this issue and the scientific research proving that preborn children can certainly feel pain by 20 weeks — and quite possibly much earlier — the bill only received 53 votes in favor of the motion to proceed (44 against), seven votes short of the required 60. Democrat presidential candidates Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) were the only three Senators who did not vote, but all three voted “no” on the 2015 and 2018 versions of the bill. Republican Senators Susan Collins (ME) and Lisa Murkowski (AK) voted “no” on the motion to proceed.
READ: Pro-abortion researcher admits: Preborn babies feel pain far earlier than we thought
All but three Democrats — Sen. Bob Casey (PA), Doug Jones (AL) and Sen. Joe Manchin (WV) — voted to block The Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, introduced by Sen. Ben Sasse (R-NE). This bill came up just four votes short of moving to final vote (56-41). This bill would have mandated that babies born alive after botched abortions could not be left to die or killed outside the womb. A Susan B. Anthony List poll from 2019 found that 77 percent of American voters believe a baby born alive in the U.S. should be protected. Sen. Sasse railed on opponents of the bill during debate, noting that this “legislation we’re considering today is not in any way an abortion bill, so the anti-choice legislation rhetoric that you’re using doesn’t have anything to do with the actual legislation that we’re voting on this afternoon.”
Because both bills were blocked, neither will proceed to a final vote for passage.
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-02-25--SHOCK: Mom offered abortion two days before giving birth to son with Down syndrome

The mother of a young boy with Down syndrome is pushing for abortion limits in the United Kingdom in order to protect preborn children diagnosed with the condition .
Cheryl Bilsborrow spoke to the BBC News about how doctors offered her an abortion when she was nearly full term .
Bilsborrow had felt pressured to test for Down syndrome early in her pregnancy .
When the results showed that her baby boy Hector did have Down syndrome , she was offered an abortion , even up to just two days before giving birth .
“ [ I was even ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Friday and [ was ] giving birth to him on the Sunday , ” she explained .
“ She [ the medical professional ] turned around and said to me , ‘ You do know we still terminate babies with Down ’ s syndrome at 38 weeks ?
’ I said , ‘ Well I ’ ll pretend I didn ’ t hear that , ’ because I was completely blown away , shocked , and disgusted.
” She called Hector “ beautiful ” and said he has a modeling career and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the day , it ’ s just no difference whatsoever and nobody should be put into that category of being different , because at the end of the day , we ’ re in 2020 , ” she said .
According to the BBC , abortions are legal in the UK during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy but only with the approval of two doctors who have agreed that the pregnancy poses more risk to the mother ’ s physical or mental health than an abortion would .
Abortions are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman ’ s life is in danger , if there is a severe prenatal diagnosis , or if the woman is at risk of physical or mental injury from the pregnancy .
In reality , abortion — the deliberate killing of a preborn child — is not medically necessary to protect the mother ’ s health or life .
READ : Couple wins wrongful birth settlement after daughter is born with Down syndrome Abortions due to a fetal diagnosis are discriminatory .
This is why Bilsborrow is campaigning to end abortion after 24 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ condition such as Down syndrome .
“ All babies – and children – should be treated equal , ” she said .
Along with Bilsborrow , Liz Crowter and her daughter Heidi , who has Down syndrome , also spoke with the BBC about the abortion law allowing the killing of preborn children solely based on a diagnosis of Down syndrome .
Heidi told the BBC that the law is “ deeply offensive ” to her and it made her feel “ unloved and unwanted.
” Her mother added that she believes the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ all babies in the womb are treated the same.
” In the United States , abortion is legal at any time for a child with Down syndrome or other health condition , and in Iceland , the complete eradication of babies with Down syndrome through abortion has been celebrated as a win .
“ Like ” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary !
Stories like the one you just read transform hearts and minds .
For example , one of our followers , Ross , messaged us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ question my pro-choice views after reading articles about Live Action…Live Action is primarily responsible for my becoming Pro-Life through their well-thought-out , scientific information and the emotionally and uplifting stories of real people with real experiences in saving the lives of their children regardless of what others might say.
” Knowledge is power and CAN open eyes to SEE the truth .
And , YOU can provide the spark to transform someone ’ s mind , just like Ross .
The DAILY publishing at Live Action News is only made possible through generous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 5 , $ 10 , or $ 25 .
Your gift today will not only keep these stories coming in 2020 , but also help us open more eyes and change minds to be fully pro-life and save lives .
Will you join us in creating a world where the killing of preborn children is unthinkable and support Live Action News by making your tax-deductible gift today ?
DEFEND PREBORN CHILDREN IN 2020 MAKE YOUR GIFT TO LIVE ACTION

The mother of a young boy with Down syndrome is pushing for abortion limits in the United Kingdom in order to protect preborn children diagnosed with the condition. Cheryl Bilsborrow spoke to the BBC News about how doctors offered her an abortion when she was nearly full term. Bilsborrow had felt pressured to test for Down syndrome early in her pregnancy. When the results showed that her baby boy Hector did have Down syndrome, she was offered an abortion, even up to just two days before giving birth.
“[I was even] offered a termination at full-term on the Friday and [was] giving birth to him on the Sunday,” she explained. “She [the medical professional] turned around and said to me, ‘You do know we still terminate babies with Down’s syndrome at 38 weeks?’ I said, ‘Well I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that,’ because I was completely blown away, shocked, and disgusted.”
UK Mum offered abortion at 38-weeks for son with with Down’s syndrome ? Posted by Right To Life UK on Monday, February 24, 2020
She called Hector “beautiful” and said he has a modeling career and a big fan base.
“At the end of the day, it’s just no difference whatsoever and nobody should be put into that category of being different, because at the end of the day, we’re in 2020,” she said.
According to the BBC, abortions are legal in the UK during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy but only with the approval of two doctors who have agreed that the pregnancy poses more risk to the mother’s physical or mental health than an abortion would. Abortions are legal after 24 weeks only if the woman’s life is in danger, if there is a severe prenatal diagnosis, or if the woman is at risk of physical or mental injury from the pregnancy. In reality, abortion — the deliberate killing of a preborn child — is not medically necessary to protect the mother’s health or life.
READ: Couple wins wrongful birth settlement after daughter is born with Down syndrome
Abortions due to a fetal diagnosis are discriminatory. This is why Bilsborrow is campaigning to end abortion after 24 weeks for babies diagnosed with a health condition such as Down syndrome.
“All babies – and children – should be treated equal,” she said.
Along with Bilsborrow, Liz Crowter and her daughter Heidi, who has Down syndrome, also spoke with the BBC about the abortion law allowing the killing of preborn children solely based on a diagnosis of Down syndrome. Heidi told the BBC that the law is “deeply offensive” to her and it made her feel “unloved and unwanted.”
Her mother added that she believes the law must be changed to reflect that “all babies in the womb are treated the same.”
In the United States, abortion is legal at any time for a child with Down syndrome or other health condition, and in Iceland, the complete eradication of babies with Down syndrome through abortion has been celebrated as a win.
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-02-29--California to Office for Civil Rights: We will keep forcing religious institutions to pay for aborti

California to Office for Civil Rights: We will keep forcing religious institutions to pay for abortions

After receiving a notice of violation from Health and Human Services ’ Office for Civil Rights in late January , California is refusing to back down from forcing religious institutions to pay for abortion in employee ’ s health plans .
State Attorney General Xavier Becerra sent a letter dated February 21st in response to the Trump administration ’ s Notice of Violation letter .
In it , he stated that no “ corrective action ” is necessary and insists that California is in compliance with the Weldon Amendment .
The 2005 Weldon Amendment bars federal funds from state or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the basis that the health care entity does not provide , pay for , provide coverage of , or refer for abortions.
” The Amendment further defines that the Amendment applies specifically to “ a provider-sponsored organization , a health maintenance organization , a health insurance plan , or any other kind of health care facility , organization , or plan.
” This is not the first time California has violated the Weldon amendment .
In 2019 , the Office for Civil Rights ( OCR ) found that a law passed in California @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their facilities also violated the amendment .
The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the pregnancy centers ’ right to free speech .
READ : Former abortion workers speak : The abortion industry sees pregnancy centers as competition Becerra also stated that , “ The facts [ … ] have not changed since the last time [ the OCR ] adjudicated those facts , in 2016.
” Becerra is referring to the Obama administration ’ s declaring California not in violation of the Weldon amendment , contrary to the text of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intended to be applied .
According to an article in the National Catholic Register , the insurance coverage issue first arose in 2013 when two Catholic Universities in the state of California dropped abortion from their insured procedures .
As Live Action News has previously reported , Planned Parenthood was a strong force behind the lobbying effort to have the state force all local entities to cover abortion .
The state abortion mandate has also come under fire from local religious orders working with the poor , the needy , and immigrants .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ subject to California ’ s sweeping discrimination against pro-lifers .
According to the notice of violation , the state of California had 30 days from the January 24th notice to comply .
After this , HHS could withhold federal funding from the state .
“ Like ” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary !
Stories like the one you just read transform hearts and minds .
For example , one of our followers , Ross , messaged us and commented : “ I began to question my pro-choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Action is primarily responsible for my becoming Pro-Life through their well-thought-out , scientific information and the emotionally and uplifting stories of real people with real experiences in saving the lives of their children regardless of what others might say.
” Knowledge is power and CAN open eyes to SEE the truth .
And , YOU can provide the spark to transform someone ’ s mind , just like Ross .
The DAILY publishing at Live Action News is only made possible through generous people , like you , who give $ 5 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Your gift today will not only keep these stories coming in 2020 , but also help us open more eyes and change minds to be fully pro-life and save lives .
Will you join us in creating a world where the killing of preborn children is unthinkable and support Live Action News by making your tax-deductible gift today ?
DEFEND PREBORN CHILDREN IN 2020 MAKE YOUR GIFT TO LIVE ACTION

After receiving a notice of violation from Health and Human Services’ Office for Civil Rights in late January, California is refusing to back down from forcing religious institutions to pay for abortion in employee’s health plans.
State Attorney General Xavier Becerra sent a letter dated February 21st in response to the Trump administration’s Notice of Violation letter. In it, he stated that no “corrective action” is necessary and insists that California is in compliance with the Weldon Amendment. The 2005 Weldon Amendment bars federal funds from state or local governments if they discriminate “on the basis that the health care entity does not provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions.” The Amendment further defines that the Amendment applies specifically to “a provider-sponsored organization, a health maintenance organization, a health insurance plan, or any other kind of health care facility, organization, or plan.”
This is not the first time California has violated the Weldon amendment. In 2019, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) found that a law passed in California forcing pregnancy resource centers to advertise abortion in their facilities also violated the amendment. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the pregnancy centers’ right to free speech.
READ: Former abortion workers speak: The abortion industry sees pregnancy centers as competition
Becerra also stated that, “The facts […] have not changed since the last time [the OCR] adjudicated those facts, in 2016.” Becerra is referring to the Obama administration’s declaring California not in violation of the Weldon amendment, contrary to the text of the amendment and how it was written and intended to be applied.
According to an article in the National Catholic Register, the insurance coverage issue first arose in 2013 when two Catholic Universities in the state of California dropped abortion from their insured procedures. As Live Action News has previously reported, Planned Parenthood was a strong force behind the lobbying effort to have the state force all local entities to cover abortion. The state abortion mandate has also come under fire from local religious orders working with the poor, the needy, and immigrants. Churches and other religious institutions are also subject to California’s sweeping discrimination against pro-lifers.
According to the notice of violation, the state of California had 30 days from the January 24th notice to comply. After this, HHS could withhold federal funding from the state.
“Like” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary!


liveaction--2020-02-28--Abortion advocates admit women struggle with grief after abortion

For decades , pro-life advocates have argued that abortion hurts women , and abortion advocates have claimed that women feel only relief after an abortion .
To the abortion industry , any woman who does suffer emotionally after an abortion was already struggling with her mental health prior to that abortion .
They cite studies with major methodological flaws in failed attempts to prove their claims .
Sometimes , however , pro-choice activists admit that abortion is actually an emotionally painful experience .
In a podcast with notorious abortionist Dr. Leah Torres , pro-choice activist Amanda Palmer spoke about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : Some abortions involve real grief .
Some of them don ’ t … .
[ W ] e don ’ t have rituals for abortion .
Our culture just erases it .
I love [ to ] imagine a world where going through an abortion , going through a miscarriage , is acceptable , understandable .
Workplaces and the community around you make space for it .
You don ’ t just have to hide , and clock in the next morning at 8 , and pretend that nothing happened .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a not gone effect of suffering that ricochets into the entire universe and hurts everybody .
Palmer has had three abortions herself , as well as a miscarriage .
While she admits to mourning the baby she lost to miscarriage , she expresses no regret about her abortions .
Abortionist Bruce Steir spent time in jail for manslaughter after a botched abortion killed Sharon Hampton .
He allegedly pulled out bowel then stuffed it back into her body and sent her home to bleed to death .
In his memoir , Jailhouse Journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Perhaps it is important to acknowledge that the mother and child have already been bonding during the entire pregnancy , and that the entire birthing experience is set up at the scientific level by nature to ensure that the mother does not abandon her child .
Nothing can change this fact or mitigate the pain and tremendous sense of loss of having one ’ s child ripped from them… It is odd to be pro-choice and to recognize the rights of a woman to not keep her child , and yet simultaneously recognize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this as a loss , whether the woman is sensitive or callous to the fact.1 Joanna Brien and Ida Fairbairn penned a textbook intended to train abortion workers called Pregnancy and Abortion Counseling .
They wrote : The opposing argument originally put forward by feminists tried to minimize the emotional effect of termination on women .
This appeared vital during the struggle for abortion as any discussion of ambivalent feelings or possible harmful effects could , they thought , have weakened their cause .
Now that the law is in place and safer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to look at some of the emotional costs to women themselves… [ M ] ost studies identify a variably sized group of women who do seem to experience significant psychological sequelae which are not always short-lived.2 Pro-choice women sometimes do express their post-abortion grief , including Helen Susan Edelman .
She had an abortion because she was having problems in her marriage .
She wanted the baby , but her husband insisted she abort .
Before the abortion , she had conflicting feelings .
In “ Safe to Talk : Abortion Narratives as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Journal of American Culture ( Winter 1996 ) , Edelman wrote : Once I was committed to having an abortion , I almost couldn ’ t stand knowing that the baby was growing inside me… My sister ’ s wedding was the day before the abortion – in Colorado .
I flew out there … knowing I was having an abortion on Monday morning .
I refused to go through the security gate at the airport because I was pregnant .
Despite my plan for an abortion 72 hours later , I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she suffered grief and loss .
It finished off her marriage .
She continued : I stayed home for two days in bed .
Physically , I was fine… I knew it was the end of the marriage … I stopped having sex with my husband , became actually repulsed at the sight of him naked , moved into the guest room .
I had an affair… My husband and I hardly talked about the abortion ; it certainly didn ’ t come up when we named our reasons for considering divorce.4 READ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ lives and nearly ruined hers .
Now , she shares the truth to save others .
On the day that would ’ ve been her baby ’ s birthday , Edelman brought home a puppy .
She didn ’ t realize the connection until later .
She also felt compelled to start seeing a psychiatrist but did not tell him about her abortion “ for a long time.
” She said : It would be fair to say I mourned my aborted baby , not in an immediate outburst of grieving , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of unraveling and rebuilding , understanding my choice…5 She married again but that marriage fell apart as well .
She remains pro-abortion .
Edelman came to believe her child was a baby and not mere tissue .
Her experience , as well as that of thousands of other women , confirms that abortion causes women to suffer emotional trauma that increases their risk of depression , drug and alcohol use , and suicidal thoughts .
• Helen Susan Edelman “ Safe to Talk : Abortion Narratives as a Rite of Return ” Journal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Live Action News on Facebook for more pro-life news and commentary !

For decades, pro-life advocates have argued that abortion hurts women, and abortion advocates have claimed that women feel only relief after an abortion. To the abortion industry, any woman who does suffer emotionally after an abortion was already struggling with her mental health prior to that abortion. They cite studies with major methodological flaws in failed attempts to prove their claims.
Sometimes, however, pro-choice activists admit that abortion is actually an emotionally painful experience. In a podcast with notorious abortionist Dr. Leah Torres, pro-choice activist Amanda Palmer spoke about how abortion can involve emotional turmoil. She said:
Some abortions involve real grief. Some of them don’t …. [W]e don’t have rituals for abortion. Our culture just erases it. I love [to] imagine a world where going through an abortion, going through a miscarriage, is acceptable, understandable. Workplaces and the community around you make space for it. You don’t just have to hide, and clock in the next morning at 8, and pretend that nothing happened. Which we all know just leads to a not gone effect of suffering that ricochets into the entire universe and hurts everybody.
Palmer has had three abortions herself, as well as a miscarriage. While she admits to mourning the baby she lost to miscarriage, she expresses no regret about her abortions.
Abortionist Bruce Steir spent time in jail for manslaughter after a botched abortion killed Sharon Hampton. He allegedly pulled out bowel then stuffed it back into her body and sent her home to bleed to death. In his memoir, Jailhouse Journal of an OB/GYN, he wrote:
Perhaps it is important to acknowledge that the mother and child have already been bonding during the entire pregnancy, and that the entire birthing experience is set up at the scientific level by nature to ensure that the mother does not abandon her child. Nothing can change this fact or mitigate the pain and tremendous sense of loss of having one’s child ripped from them… It is odd to be pro-choice and to recognize the rights of a woman to not keep her child, and yet simultaneously recognize that human biology and human emotions perceive this as a loss, whether the woman is sensitive or callous to the fact.1
Joanna Brien and Ida Fairbairn penned a textbook intended to train abortion workers called Pregnancy and Abortion Counseling. They wrote:
The opposing argument originally put forward by feminists tried to minimize the emotional effect of termination on women. This appeared vital during the struggle for abortion as any discussion of ambivalent feelings or possible harmful effects could, they thought, have weakened their cause. Now that the law is in place and safer from attack, pro-choice supporters can afford to look at some of the emotional costs to women themselves…
[M]ost studies identify a variably sized group of women who do seem to experience significant psychological sequelae which are not always short-lived.2
Pro-choice women sometimes do express their post-abortion grief, including Helen Susan Edelman. She had an abortion because she was having problems in her marriage. She wanted the baby, but her husband insisted she abort. Before the abortion, she had conflicting feelings. In “Safe to Talk: Abortion Narratives as a Rite of Return” in the Journal of American Culture (Winter 1996), Edelman wrote:
Once I was committed to having an abortion, I almost couldn’t stand knowing that the baby was growing inside me…
My sister’s wedding was the day before the abortion – in Colorado. I flew out there … knowing I was having an abortion on Monday morning. I refused to go through the security gate at the airport because I was pregnant. Despite my plan for an abortion 72 hours later, I was protecting my baby.3
After the abortion, she suffered grief and loss. It finished off her marriage. She continued:
I stayed home for two days in bed. Physically, I was fine… I knew it was the end of the marriage … I stopped having sex with my husband, became actually repulsed at the sight of him naked, moved into the guest room. I had an affair…
My husband and I hardly talked about the abortion; it certainly didn’t come up when we named our reasons for considering divorce.4
READ: Her two abortions took her babies’ lives and nearly ruined hers. Now, she shares the truth to save others.
On the day that would’ve been her baby’s birthday, Edelman brought home a puppy. She didn’t realize the connection until later. She also felt compelled to start seeing a psychiatrist but did not tell him about her abortion “for a long time.” She said:
It would be fair to say I mourned my aborted baby, not in an immediate outburst of grieving, but in a long, slow process of unraveling and rebuilding, understanding my choice…5
She married again but that marriage fell apart as well. She remains pro-abortion.
Edelman came to believe her child was a baby and not mere tissue. Her experience, as well as that of thousands of other women, confirms that abortion causes women to suffer emotional trauma that increases their risk of depression, drug and alcohol use, and suicidal thoughts.
Bruce Steir Jailhouse Journal of an OB/GYN (AuthorHouse, 2008) 34 Joanna Brien, Ida Fairbairn Pregnancy and Abortion Counseling (London: Routledge, 1996) 141, 142 Helen Susan Edelman “Safe to Talk: Abortion Narratives as a Rite of Return” Journal of American Culture Winter 1996 Ibid. Ibid.
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