LIFEalerts 13 April 2017

Abortion

USA – National Right to Life Academy empowers pro-life students

USA – Abortionist: Was baby born alive? It depends ‘who’s in the room’

USA – Trump cuts funding to UN agency over forced abortion support

Alternative Medicine

No news today

Euthanasia

No news today

IVF& Surrogacy

India – Will government ban commercial surrogacy?

Medical Ethics

UK – Three-parent babies green-lighted in UK

USA – When stem cell treatments go wrong, they really go wrong

USA – Should a human-pig chimera be treated as a person

Cambodia – Country bans exports of breast milk to US

Pedophilia

UK – Pedophiles use online techniques to hide child pornography

Pornography

Canada – Child sex doll trial raises issue of what constitutes child porn

USA – Iowa House passes bill criminalizing ‘revenge porn’ USA – Bill to allow parents to sue pornographers

USA – Anti-porn group wants obscenity laws vigorously enforced

Same Sex Attraction

USA – The Homosexual Kingdom is falling apart

USA – Ratings flop as people keep rejecting homosexual programs

USA – Homosexual attorney parts with LGBT community

USA – Consequences of a ‘’third gender’’ called nonbinary

Sexual Exploitation

USA – New Michigan legislation aims to help victims of human trafficking

South Africa: 15 Child Trafficking Cases Detected At OR Tambo Airport

USA – New Legislation to Decrease Online Sex Trafficking

South Africa – The Human Trafficking Act: Is it doing the job?

Substance Abuse

USA – Attorney General Jeff Sessions says marijuana not the answer USA – Preferred Drug List Policies May Affect Methadone Overdose Rates

Abortion

USA – National Right to Life Academy empowers pro-life students

Over a five week program, pro-life students learn from the foremost leaders in the pro-life movement about abortion, euthanasia, stem cell research, Planned Parenthood, legislative strategy, lobbying, politics, communication, grassroots organizing, social media and more. Graduates of the program are currently working for state pro-life groups, starting local right-to-life chapters, aiding in the efforts of crisis pregnancy centers and bringing a pro-life perspective to their workplaces in the medical, legal, and social work fields. Notable graduates include John Seago, the legislative director for Texas Right to Life. John was instrumental in the passage of the Texas pro-life omnibus bill HB-2.

http://www.nationalrighttolifenews.org/news/2017/03/national-right-to-life-academy-empowers-pro-life-college-students-to-make-a-difference-2/#.WNJ1Z4F961s

USA – Abortionist: Was baby born alive? It depends ‘who’s in the room’

A new undercover video comes the day after Centre for Medical Progress head David Daleiden and co-investigator Sandra Merritt were charged with 15 felonies in California. Dr. DeShawn Taylor, previous Medical Director of Planned Parenthood of Arizona and long-time abortion provider at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, speaks candidly to undercover investigators at a networking conference. One investigator asked if there’s “any standard procedure for verifying signs of life” after an abortion. Taylor replied, “Well, the thing is, I mean the key is, you need to pay attention to who’s in the room, right?”

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-undercover-video-shows-planned-parenthood-abortionist-discussing-b

USA – Trump cuts funding to UN agency over forced abortion support

The Trump administration has withdrawn U.S. funding from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) because of its participation in China’s forced abortion regime. “This determination was made based on the fact that China’s family planning policies still involve the use of coercive abortion and involuntary sterilization,” according to the state department. “We want to thank the Trump administration,” said Stephen Phelan, Director of Mission Communications for Human Life International. “This is wonderful news both for the people in China who are most vulnerable – the women and babies.” Now, $32.5 million, instead of going to the UNFPA, will go to a US Agency for International Development (USAID) account for “family planning and reproductive health.”

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/breaking-trump-pulls-us-money-from-un-population-fund-over-forced-abortion

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Alternative Medicine

No news today

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Euthanasia

No news today

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IVF&Surrogacy

India – Will government ban commercial surrogacy?

The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has released a draft bill regulating the controversial surrogacy industry. The Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill, 2016 proposes a complete ban on commercial surrogacy, a huge blow to the rapidly growing industry. It also restricts the clients of surrogate mothers to Indian citizens residing in India who are married but infertile; unmarried couples, single parents, and homosexuals would not be eligible. Only altruistic surrogacy will be allowed and clients would only be able to compensate women for their expenses. The surrogate must also be a close relative of the commissioning couple. The government would become more involved with the creation of a National Surrogacy Board and surrogacy boards in the states as well.

https://www.bioedge.org/bioethics/will-india-ban-commercial-surrogacy/12256

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Medical Ethics

UK – Three-parent babies green-lighted in UK

The government has given a license to Newcastle University to create three-parent embryos to combat mitochondrial diseases. Sally Cheshire, chair of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) said the decision represented a culmination of years of hard work by researchers, clinical experts, and regulators. But Mark Bhagwandin, of the charity ‘Life’ said they had hoped the HFEA would have listened to the thousands of people who expressed concern about three parent embryos but it approved a procedure which will alter the human genome. It is at least reckless and irresponsible given that we have absolutely no idea what the long term consequences will be of us interfering with the human genome.

https://www.bioedge.org/bioethics/three-parent-babies-green-lighted-in-the-uk/12237

USA – When stem cell treatments go wrong, they really go wrong

Three elderly women in Florida have been blinded by an unproven treatment, as a reminder of how dangerous stem cell therapies can be. The New England Journal of Medicine reports the women signed up for a purported clinical trial in 2015, for which they paid US$5,000. Within a week, they experienced vision loss, detached retinas and hemorrhage. Before the surgery, their vision ranged from 20/30 to 20/200. They are now blind. The article is a “call to awareness for patients, physicians and regulatory agencies of the risks of this kind of minimally regulated, patient-funded research,” said co-author Jeffrey Goldberg, of Stanford University School of Medicine. “There’s no excuse for not designing a trial properly and basing it on preclinical research.”

https://www.bioedge.org/bioethics/when-stem-cell-treatments-go-wrong-they-really-go-wrong/12234

USA – Should a human-pig chimera be treated as a person

In an article in Quartz, Oxford ethicist Julian Savulescu says human-pig chimeras may be capable of feeling pain and potentially engage in higher cognitive functions and should be assessed against the criteria of personhood. Case Western Reserve University bioethicist Insoo Hyun is critical of assumptions underpinning the idea of “chimera personhood” and wrote in Plos Biology that it is entirely unclear what types of new psychological characteristics could count to elevate the moral status of a research animal above where it currently is, so that its scientific use would no longer be morally acceptable. And Executive director of the Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy Neuroscientist Lori Matthews says we should place these ethical questions within the context of ongoing animal rights “abuses”.

https://www.bioedge.org/bioethics/should-a-human-pig-chimera-be-treated-as-a-person/12241

Cambodia – Country bans exports of breast milk to US

A Utah company has been shipping breast milk to American mothers (and possibly some body builders) but Cambodian authorities say that the business endangers the health of babies. UNICEF is adamantly opposed to the sale of breastmilk by poor women in developing countries. “Breast milk banks should never be operated by exploiting vulnerable and poor women for profit and commercial purposes,” Iman Morooka, of UNICEF in Cambodia said. “Breast milk could be considered as human tissue, the same as blood, and as such its commercialization should be banned. Malnutrition remains a threat to children’s wellbeing in Cambodia, and proper breastfeeding is one of the key factors contributing to a child’s good health and nutrition.”

https://www.bioedge.org/bioethics/cambodia-bans-exports-of-breast-milk-to-us/12245

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Pedophilia

UK – Pedophiles use online techniques to hide child pornography

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) says that pedophiles of higher technical knowledge are using techniques that make detecting and removing child pornography more difficult. ‘’Masking’’ and ‘’breadcrumbing’’ allows pedophiles to follow a series of secret clues that hide behind what looks like legitimate blog sites, news sites and even fake 404 error pages which takes them to the site that holds the abusive material. In 2016, 1,572 websites were found using these methods, a 112{01b0879e117dd7326006b2e84bcaac7e8fa1509c5c67baf2c9eb498fe06caff4} increase since 2015 when only 743 sites were identified. In 2013, only 353 websites were using this method. The IWF wants internet companies and large business to work with them to address this. Suspected child pornography can anonymously be reported through the IWF website.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/features/paedophilia-child-sexual-abuse-images-video-codes-keywords-clues-cookies-iwf-masking-breadcrumbing-a7661051.html

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Pornography

Canada – Child sex doll trial raises issue of what constitutes child porn

The sex doll at the heart of a trial in Newfoundland that has made global headlines meets the definition of child pornography, according to a forensic psychiatrist. Dr. Peter Collins testified in provincial court in St. John’s that the doll is the size of a prepubescent child without sexually mature characteristics. Collins explained that the doll was advertised for sexual use and that such items appeal to the “pedophiliac subculture” and is meant “to be fantasized as a prepubescent child.” Key issues include whether the case constitutes child pornography if no actual child was involved. It also raises the limits of free expression and whether laws have become outmoded by technology such as animated sex acts.

http://www.news1130.com/2017/03/21/pornography-child-sex-doll-trial-raises-issue-of-what-constitutes-child-porn/

USA – Iowa House passes bill criminalizing ‘revenge porn’ Iowa would become one of a growing number of states seeking to criminalize “revenge pornography” which includes dissemination, distribution, publishing or posting of sexually graphic images of individuals without the persons consent, under a bill advanced by the House. “Disseminating someone’s nude image is a destructive invasion of their privacy that can cause irreversible harm to a person’s physical and emotional well-being, reputation and security,” according to the bill’s floor manager, Rep. Greg Heartsill. If approved, Iowa would become the 35th state with legislation aimed at preventing the spread of non-consensual pornography. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/03/27/iowa-house-passes-bill-criminalizing-revenge-porn/99714656/ USA – Bill to allow parents to sue pornographers A new law in Utah will soon open the door to lawsuits against pornographers. Utah will be the first state in the country to allow parents to file a lawsuit according to State Senator, Todd Weiler. This comes one year after the state declared pornography a public health crisis. The bill gives parents a chance to prove porn damaged their children emotionally or psychologically. The bill also provides a way for the porn industry to avoid liability. They must be able to prove that they warned their customers that porn can be harmful and that they made a good effort to verify the age of the child/person watching porn, Weiler continued. http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/new-law-will-soon-allow-utah-parents-to-sue-pornographers/686972501

USA – Anti-porn group wants obscenity laws vigorously enforced

The National Centre on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE), a leading anti-pornography organization is recommending that Attorney General Jeff Sessions “vigorously enforce” anti-obscenity laws. NCOSE, which recently published its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of corporations like Comcast which profit from pornography states that child sexual abuse, pornography, sex trafficking, sexual violence, and prostitution overlap and reinforce one another. The placement of social conservatives in key positions throughout the Republican administration has given hope to NCOSE and other pro-family activists that the federal government will more aggressively prosecute sex traffickers and major hard-core pornographers.

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/stop-sexploitation-anti-porn-group-asks-sessions-to-vigorously-enforce-obsc

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Same Sex Attraction

USA – The Homosexual Kingdom is falling apart

In both Maine and Canada incidents occurred where a school and university celebrated diversity by raising the LGBT flag. However, transgender students burned the flag and tore it down saying it would embarrass other transgender students. A homosexual-activist wrote in a much criticised column that LGBs and Ts must go their separate ways. He said that they no longer work towards the same goals because members of the transgender community are working against their biology by changing who they are physically, whereas homosexual women and men are not trying to be anybody but themselves that prefer same sex relationships. Feminists also feel that they are being eclipsed by transgender issues with one saying that changing sex does not turn men into ‘’real women’’.

https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/a-distant-sound-of-breaking-alliances

USA – Ratings flop as people keep rejecting homosexual programs Even though Disney experimented with homosexual scenes in a remake of ‘Beauty & the Beast’, recent ratings flopped for a miniseries called ‘When We Rise’ which is all about the homosexual rights revolution. This confirms that people are shunning pro-homosexual programming. Despite the miniseries receiving full ad coverage, having star-studded actors and opening to positive reviews, the ratings were among the lowest of the big four networks (CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC). The Advocate magazine expressed their sorrow for the lack of interest in LGBTQ programming and urged everyone to watch. https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/lgbtq-ratings-flop-americans-keep-rejecting-gay-programming

USA – Homosexual attorney parts with LGBT community

Joseph Murray is an attorney and administrator for LGBTrump, a pro-Trump homosexual group. As a member of the LGBT community he disagrees with homosexual scenes in ‘Beauty & the Beast’. He wrote: “Why do we have to expose our kids to such mature themes? Do they not have plenty of time to grow up? Or maybe the point is to make them grow up too soon and that is where I part ways with my community.” Disney’s vision to entertain children was to give them hope and optimism, and allow them to enjoy their innocence for as long as the world would permit. Murray writes that providing “affirmation” is a poor argument for subjecting kids to adult “gay” themes.

http://www.charismanews.com/culture/63615-gay-lawyer-warns-parents-beauty-and-the-beast-will-rob-kids-innocence

USA – Consequences of a ‘’third gender’’ called nonbinary

California licenses and birth certificates could have a ‘’third gender’’ check-box called ‘nonbinary’ added to documents. Senate Bill 179 would remove the requirement for making the status known of transgender people, and whether or not they have undergone body-changing surgeries or hormone therapy. Pro-family group savecalifornia.com warned if this bill becomes law, children would be lied to about nature, health and led to believe its fine to cut off their healthy body parts. It would also make it harder for police to identify criminals and easier for criminals to commit identity fraud. Imagine the arrest of a biological male whose license says ‘nonbinary’ and how it will confuse the courts and police.

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/male-female-or-nonbinary-california-may-add-third-gender-option-to-licenses

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Sexual Exploitation

USA – New Michigan legislation aims to help victims of human trafficking Human trafficking victims will get help rebuilding their lives after house members unanimously approved a bill that could forgive prostitution related offenses victims were forced to commit, even if they have a prior conviction. Republican Bronna Kahle says the bill would make them eligible for parole and deferral instead of jailing them so that they have a chance to become productive members of society. Victims now are only eligible for one-time deferred sentences for certain charges the victim was forced to commit if all conditions of probation have been met. It also only applies to victims who have had no previous convictions. http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2017/03/22/new-michigan-legislation-aims-help-victims-human-trafficking/99510468/

South Africa – 15 Child Trafficking Cases Detected At OR Tambo Airport

According to Malusi Gigaba, the previous Minister of Home Affairs, a total of 15 cases of human trafficking have so far been reported and stopped at OR Tambo International Airport.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201703300740.html

USA – New Legislation to Decrease Online Sex Trafficking

Congresswomen Ann Wagner proposes a bill that lifts barriers preventing efforts to seek justice against online facilitators of sex trafficking. In 2011 the state Attorney General said many cases of sex trafficking of children are directly related to the posting of ads on Backpage.com. In October 2016 after a three-year investigation Backpage CEO Carl Ferrer was arrested for pimping and conspiracy to commit pimping related to its website, though he was not convicted. This website is being protected by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The National Centre on Sexual Exploitation calls on Congress to swiftly pass the Wagner bill which removes immunities from sex trafficking websites. It’s time for Congress to stand with the victims of sex trafficking, not the tech companies that want immunity for sex trafficking or prostitution that happens on their platforms.

http://endsexualexploitation.org/articles/wagner-bill-stop-online-sex-trafficking-just-introduced/

South Africa – The Human Trafficking Act: Is it doing the job?

Here’s the good news following the implementation of new legislation according to Major Carin Holmes of the Salvation Army’s Anti-Trafficking Unit – “we’re getting there….It’s taking a while to get momentum going…. But it’s better than it was.” The Salvation Army doesn’t have capacity to set up safe houses for victims of human trafficking, so most often they function as a liaison – offering advice, contacting authorities and referring victims to relevant NGOs. “We’ve got a helpline 24/7. People phone, tell us their story, and what we do depends on what’s on the other side,” explains Holmes. There are 30,000 children in slavery in South Africa annually and 45,000 children in prostitution.

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2017-03-16-the-human-trafficking-act-is-it-doing-the-job/#.WMvXFYGGPcs

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Substance Abuse

USA – Attorney General Jeff Sessions says marijuana not the answer

In a statement Attorney General Jeff Sessions said the only way to end the heroin crisis was through tactical criminal enforcement, better treatment options and stronger prevention efforts, not by offering addicts something that’s “only slightly less awful,” like legal marijuana. He said that medical use of marijuana has “been hyped, maybe too much.” “I realize this may be an unfashionable belief in a time of growing tolerance of drug use. But too many lives are at stake to worry about being fashionable. I reject the idea that America will be a better place if marijuana is sold in every corner store. Our nation needs to say clearly once again that using drugs will destroy your life.”

http://www.newsweek.com/jeff-sessions-marijuana-legalization-states-heroin-opioids-568499

USA – Preferred Drug List Policies May Affect Methadone Overdose Rates

In a study published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, researcher M. Faul and colleagues analyzed state mortality data and the state preferred drug list (PDL) and reimbursement, to compare the number of overdose deaths involving methadone with the rate of prescribing methadone. They noted that methadone overdose fatalities increased by 600{01b0879e117dd7326006b2e84bcaac7e8fa1509c5c67baf2c9eb498fe06caff4} between 2007 and 2014 before declining by 39{01b0879e117dd7326006b2e84bcaac7e8fa1509c5c67baf2c9eb498fe06caff4} in 2014. In states like Florida and North Carolina that include methadone on the PDL overdose rates were high. But in South Carolina where methadone is not on the PDL overdose rates were lower. The researchers concluded that drug utilization management policies such as PDL placement may help reduce methadone-related injuries and deaths.

http://www.pharmacytimes.com/news/cdc-medicaid-preferred-drug-list-policies-may-affect-methadone-overdose-rates

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Disclaimer: the views and opinions expressed in these articles do not necessarily reflect those of Doctors for Life International

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