Posted By cmbuuck on August 15, 2011

Dennis Brink, Fort Wayne Lutherans for Life

This is a follow up to the article “Stem-cell Presentations Draw Clear Contrast”, published in the May, 2011 issue, which reported on the April 15-16 presentations by Dr. David Prentice.  The purpose is to elaborate on some of the ethical issues of embryonic stem cell research vs. adult stem cell research. 

There has been much emotional public debate beginning over a decade ago, with many people advocating embryonic stem cell research.  A significant amount of the precious and limited funding for stem cell research is currently being diverted from adult stem cell research to embryonic stem cell research. Advocates of the embryonic research are working hard to convince legislatures to adopt measures for the right to clone and to destroy embryos for the purpose of harvesting their stem cells.  Public figures and many in the media have often been effective in using misleading statements to reduce the constraints and increase the funding.  However, to date, embryonic stem cell research has not produced any results in curing or correcting physical conditions, but it has produced tumors in laboratory mice. Scientists say it may be decades before cures will result from embryonic stem cell research, if ever.   

Embryonic stem cells come from blastocysts, the name given to embryonic live humans 5-7 days after conception.  When embryonic stem cells are harvested from blastocysts, the dead embryos are discarded. Blastocysts can be produced directly from fertilization or from somatic cell nuclear transfer (cloning). 

Scientists desire massive numbers of embryos in order to get large quantities of embryonic stem cells, many more than are available through in vitro fertilization, so they want to produce large numbers of blastocysts via cloning. These quantities of clones require massive numbers of donated eggs from women.  In addition to the massive number of embryos killed in this process, some women have died due to the drugs used for the donations.  There’s a documentary about this egg donation titled “Eggsploitation”.

In contrast, adult stem cells, which are extracted from many non-controversial sources such as bone marrow, body fat, peripheral blood, hair follicles, gastrointestinal organs, placenta, umbilical cord blood, and skeletal muscle, have been saving lives and benefitting patients for decades.  In many cases, the adult stem cells have been provided by the patient (autologous adult stem cell donation).  Although not routine and often an expensive last resort in severe circumstances, adult stem cells have been successfully used for decades.  This currently includes successful treatment of 73 diseases and conditions.

What can we do?  Pray. Study relevant scriptures. Study the available information to reach our own conclusions about the ethics. Discuss these ethical issues with our friends, family, and pastors. Contact our lawmakers. Consider becoming an adult stem cell donor. 

Following are some web resources for more information on this topic.

http://www.frc.org/life–bioethics#stem_cells – Family Research Council web site provides a list of links

http://www.eggsploitation.com/ – this is the web site for the Eggsploitation documentary

http://www.stemcellresearchfacts.org/ – benefits of stem cells, focusing on adult stem cells

http://www.marrow.org/ – National Bone Marrow Registry for adult stem cell donation

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=stem+cell+transplant&cond=MDS&show_flds=Y – lists clinical trials for stem cell research

http://lutheransforlifefortwayne.org/ – Fort Wayne Lutherans for Life web site

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Posted By cmbuuck on August 15, 2011

Father’s Love Letter—I knew you even before you were conceived—The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart.” Jer.1:4-5 (NIV)

When Jeremiah was called to be a prophet to Israel, God declared that even before he was conceived, he was known by God and set apart for His divine purposes. The road that Jeremiah would walk in his ministry life would not be an easy one, for he suffered much abuse at the hands of his fellow Israelites.  I wonder if he ever reflected on these words when he was going through his darkest times? When he was alone in that cold, damp prison cell, did he ever go back to the beginning of his ministry and meditate on God’s words to Him? I believe the revelation that he was known by God, and set apart for His purposes, gave Jeremiah the strength to continue to walk out his destiny, even in the darkest of times. (more…)

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Posted By cmbuuck on May 12, 2011

News from Hawaii—StarAdvertiser.com, 2/8/11—On February 7th, the Hawaiian Senate Health Committee voted unanimously, 4-0, to shelve a bill to allow physician assisted suicide in the state. This marks the third time an assisted suicide measure, based on a model of Oregon’s law, stalled in a legislative committee. The “Death with Dignity” measure (SB 803) would have allowed a terminally ill, competent adult to receive lethal drugs to end life.

Newborns and Music—LifeSiteNews.com, 3/8/11—French scientists have discovered one-month-old babies are able to remember music played to them in the third trimester of their mothers’ pregnancies. In the study, the researchers played a descending piano melody twice a day to expectant mothers in their 35th, 36th or 37th weeks of gestation. They tested the babies one month after they were born, playing both the descending melody and an ascending nine-note piano melody during the babies’ sleep. On the average, the heart rates of the babies decreased by 12 beats a minute with the familiar descending music, compared to 5-6 beats per minute with the unfamiliar melody.

It Depends On How You Say It—Rev. Robert Fleischmann, the National Director of Christian Life Resources—When the United States legalized abortion on January 22, 1973, the language changed. No longer was a little one growing and kicking in the womb referred to as a “baby.” Rather, the child was reduced to a Latin and medical terminology to describe a stage in his or her biological development.

 Today people talk about the unborn child as a fertilized egg, zygote, a blastocyst, an embryo and a fetus. All of these terms simply describe the developmental stages of life – something that pro-life advocates know is a baby growing in the womb! Yet, the careful use of the right terms can insulate us from harsh realities.

No one likes to talk about aborting a baby – not even abortion activists. They talk about the procedure of abortion without explaining the horrific details. When pressed they describe the expulsion of the fetus, the hindrance of the embryo from attaching to the endometrial lining or the removal of fetal matter-anything to avoid saying that in abortion they terminate the life of a baby.

It is not surprising the world has gotten to this point. A number of years ago in my research on changing societal attitudes, I discovered that some scientists in their efforts to legalize the practice killing of newly-born children (infanticide) described these babies as “radically defective neonates.” I can understand the reasoning – no one wants to talk about killing an unwanted, disabled newborn baby. It is so much easier to kill a radically defective neonate. It sounds like the end of a failed experiment.

The same can be said about the changing rhetoric involving the end of life. The world used to be content with terms like “coma,” “brain damaged” or even “in a fog.” Instead, we have grown comfortable with the phrase “persistent vegetative state.” Why that phrase?  “Persistent” gives the impression that the condition will go on and on with no end in sight. “Vegetative” sounds like the person is both living and edible. This dehumanized term likely helps us feel more comfortable when we must do something dehumanizing, such as terminating the life.

It is hard to believe all of this verbage refers to people, created and redeemed by God. Though it sounds simplistic, I miss the days when a baby was a baby, a mother was a mother and an ailing grandfather was still your grandfather. All other terms may help track a stage of development or a condition, but in the end it certainly cheapens life. So, be careful about what you say!  (Full article in Clearly Caring, 2011, Volume 31 / Number 1)

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Posted By cmbuuck on May 12, 2011

Abortion Foes Make Case—Rosa Salter Rodiguez, The Journal Gazette, January 30, 2011—About 1,500 Fort Wayne area abortion-rights opponents Saturday heard their cause compared to earlier movements concerning slavery and racial segregation. Since the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, abortion-rights opponents have worked to restrict or outlaw the procedure.  The Rev. John Rapheal spoke at the Scottish Rite Center before the 37^th annual March For Life sponsored by the Allen county Right to Life.

A Roman Catholic priest from New Orleans and a University of Notre Dame alumnus, Raphael is perhaps best known for speaking at the 2009 alternative commencement at Notre Dame on the day President Obama gave the commencement address there.  Raphael said that as a black man, he was criticized for being critical of the first black U.S. president.  But he said his critics confused the “symbolism” of Obama’s election with “the substance” of his policies on abortion, which he called immoral because they do not protect the unborn, “the weakest and most vulnerable members of society”.  Other Supreme Court decisions that upheld injustices were eventually overturned, he said, citing the reversal of the Dred Scott case that allowed slavery to be extended into the territories and the Plessy v. Ferguson case, which upheld racial segregation.  “We are in the tradition of the abolitionists of the 1850s and the civil rights workers of the 1960s,” he said, “we do not know when the change will take place, but we do know that until the change takes place we cannot give up.”

The Rally was followed by a march to the E. Ross Adair Federal Building.  U.S. Rep. Marlin Stuzman R-3^rd, Rep Jackie Walorski, R-Lakeville, and Republican Indiana General Greg Zoeller spoke to the group.  U.S. Rep. Mike Pence R-6^th, appeared on a video recording. The speakers called for an end to federal funding for Planned Parenthood because it provides abortion.

Lutherans for Life from around the Nation Come to March for Life—Dennis Di Mauro, from Right to Life Today, February 28, 2011—Participants at this year’s march included student groups from Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin, and Lutheran High School in St. Louis, Missouri, as well as local students from Trinity Christian School in Fairfax, Virginia. Also attending was a delegation from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s Life Ministries office, led by their director, Maggie Karner.

The marchers were encouraged by the good weather, the large participation of young people, and the support of so many members of Congress, including the Speaker of the House, John Boehner, who encouraged the crowd in a pre-march speech and promised that the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion bill would be a top legislative priority for the new Congress. All these events energized the marchers to do more in their churches and communities to defend the unborn and to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to their parents and the grandparents.

By marching, they followed a proud tradition of Lutheran pro-life awareness started by the reformer Dr. Martin Luther in the 16^th Century. He wrote, “He (God) is not hostile to children, as we are. But God emphasizes His word to such an extent that He sometimes gives offspring even to those who do not desire it, yes even hate it  How great, therefore, the wickedness of human nature is!  How many girls there are who prevent conception and kill and expel tender fetuses, although procreation is the work of God”

Lutherans have attended the March for Life since it began in 1974. Since 1998, Lutherans for Life has maintained an organized presence at the march, beginning with a communion worship service at a local Lutheran church.Dr. Peter Scaer of Concordia Seminary offered an inspiring prayer at the rally. To read the prayer go to our website, info@lutheranforlifefortwayne.org

Pro-Life Lawmakers Push at Least 13 Bills on Issue State PAC Prioritizing Some To Make Most Of Possible “Banner Year.”—Kevin Leininger, Fort Wayne News Sentinel, February 5, 2011—With November’s election producing Republican majorities in the Indiana House of Representatives and Senate, pro-life activists expect 2011 to be a very good year for their cause. “For the first time in several years, we have an opportunity to have bills heard. Ninety-eight percent of the new legislators are actively, passionately pro-life…”  Indiana Right to Life Political Action Committee Field Coordinator Sue Swayze said Friday at a legislative briefing for local reporters.

At least 13 pro-life bills have been introduced, which is probably more than can be passed in a session that must also deal with education reform, budget problems and other challenges. So the PAC has identified bills and causes it considers priorities:

House Bill 1205 would prevent the state from entering into contracts with or making grants to any entity that performs abortions or operates facilities in which they are performed. Senate Bill 116 would require Indiana to opt out of abortion coverage offered by any health plan under the new federal health-care reform act.  Senate Bill 457 is an “informed consent” law that would require women to be informed orally and in writing with information pertaining to abortion, such as adoption and fetal development.  Senate Bill 1258 would regulate chemically induced abortions. A chemical-abortion clinic on Coliseum Boulevard recently closed, but the procedure remains a “horrific circumstance” for women using it, Allen County Right to Life Executive Director Cathie Humbarger said. “The home becomes an abortion mill.”  Senate Bill 522 would ban abortion after 20 weeks-the point at which Humbarger said the fetus is capable of feeling pain. There’s even a bill that would outlaw abortion entirely-should the Supreme Court ever repeal its Roe vs. Wade decision.

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Posted By cmbuuck on May 12, 2011

“A baby is God’s opinion that life should go on.”  Carl Sandburg 

Fetal Pain Law Hailed as Successful, Making Abortion Practitioner Leave State—Steven Ertelt, LifeNews.com, 11/10/10—When Nebraska state legislators approved the fetal pain bill prohibiting abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, they made it so the late-term abortion practitioner in the state had to look elsewhere. The genius behind the legislation was the thinking that it would be challenged in court and the pro-life movement could win a favorable decision from the high court on the heels of the ruling upholding the national partial-birth abortion ban.

Mary Balch, the state legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee, said at the time that she hoped it would cause a national discussion on the pain unborn children feel because it draws attention to their humanity and need for legal protection.  Also, she hoped the Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act could see the same group of five members of the Supreme Court who backed the partial-birth abortion ban uphold it as constitutional and allow more abortions to be prohibited.

But, with the news that the late-term abortion practitioner LeRoy Carhart is possibly relocating to another state and with him saying the fetal pain bill is responsible, Balch says the further genius of the bill is seen.

“This announcement illustrates the importance of having states pass protective laws such as the one passed in Nebraska,” she told LifeNews.com this afternoon.  “Now is the time for Right to Lifers to capitalize on the dramatic pro-life gains in state legislative and gubernatorial elections last week and to make it illegal to kill unborn children who are capable of feeling pain.”  Balch said the other fact that is on the side of the pro-life movement is the fact that research clearly substantiates the concept of fetal pain.

To the end of pursuing pro-life state legislation, the National Right to Life Committee will be hosting a State Legislative Strategy Conference for state right-to-life leaders and key state legislators in Washington.

Indiana Right to Life Press Release—11/17/2010—Indiana Right to Life calls for Nebraska-style protections for unborn children in wake of late-term abortionist’s planned expansion to Indianapolis—Indiana Right to Life is calling on Indiana legislators to move quickly in the upcoming legislative session to enact a Nebraska-style ban on late-term abortions in response to the news reports that Leroy Carhart, a late-term abortion specialist, plans to expand his business to Indianapolis. 

Carhart gained national attention by unsuccessfully challenging the Federal ban on the gruesome partial-birth abortion procedure in Carhart vs. Gonzales.  “The very fact that Leroy Carhart has targeted Indiana as a state in which to expand his abortion business reveals that current Indiana law regarding late-term abortions is insufficient,” states Indiana Right to Life President and CEO Mike Fichter. 

While Indiana law does not allow abortions after the first trimester in freestanding abortion clinics, abortions after the first trimester and before viability are permitted for virtually any reason if done at a hospital or ambulatory outpatient surgical center.  Viability, however, is not defined by current Indiana abortion law.

Editor’s Note:   We will include news of pro-life bills in our newsletter so that you can let your legislator know of your support.  Please pray for our legislators.

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Posted By cmbuuck on December 23, 2010

You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.            Luke 1: 31-32

 

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Fort Wayne area Lutherans for Life.

 

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