> Issue Briefs > Life

Mental Illness and Violence: Risk Factor? Or One In a Million?

Posted: October 13, 2015
By: Frank J. Moncher, Ph.D.

Recent events in Oregon have once more raised the issue of mental health and seemingly-random violence in our communities. But, on this sad occasion, there appears to be a further complicating factor: religious discrimination. Reports suggest that the perpetrator lacked the potential benefits of a Christian worldview for coping with life’s trials. As we search for answers, let us not naively neglect the reality of evil in the world. Read

What Constitutes an “Undue Burden” on a Woman’s Right to Abortion?

Posted: September 24, 2015
By: Margaret Datiles Watts, J.D.

The most significant abortion case in a quarter of a century will likely be heard by the Supreme Court in the coming year. The case, Whole Woman’s Health, et al. v. Cole, et al., would potentially set forth with greater specificity than ever before what kinds of abortion laws constitute an “undue burden” on a woman’s right to abortion. Read

Euthanasia’s Slippery Slope Going Mental

Posted: September 15, 2015
By: Frank J. Moncher, Ph.D.

“[I]n April 2012, Mr. Mortier…got a message at work. His 64-year-old mother, in the throes of severe depression, had been euthanized the previous day. He would need to make arrangements at the morgue. His mother…had informed him by email three months earlier that she was looking into euthanasia. He never dreamed her request would be granted because she was in perfect physical health.” —Canadian National Post, Nov. 2013 Read

Is Abortion Good For Women’s Health?

Posted: September 10, 2015
By: Dr. Pilar Calva, M.D.

Many claim that abortion increases women’s health and reduces maternal mortality, but numerous studies from countries around the globe strongly contradict those claims. Post-abortive women suffer higher incidences of physical problems (e.g. hemorrhaging, infection, cervical tears and premature labor) and psychological problems (e.g. suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual dysfunction and child abuse) than do other women. Competent science demonstrates that abortion does more than kill babies; it kills or maims mothers as well. Read

The Beginning Of Life: Part 2

Posted: August 20, 2015
By: Dr. Pilar Calva, M.D.

In the unity of life’s development there is no “threshold” after which something that was not yet human becomes human. Science leads us to affirm that if it was not human from the beginning, it would never become so. Therefore, we must cast out any temptation to establish a “before” and “after.” There is no leap, no transformation in essence, by which the zygote, embryo or fetus becomes at some moment of its development something that it wasn’t from its conception. Read

The Beginning Of Life: Part 1

Posted: August 13, 2015
By: Dr. Pilar Calva, M.D.

How do we know that a person exists upon conception? Science, of course. In Part 1 of a two-part series, Dr. Calva reviews how molecular biology shows us that every living being has a genome specific to its species. The human genome is what makes us human, and it exists upon conception, after which nothing other than a person, and only that particular person, can possibly result. Read

Talking About Death: Medical Care Or Breaking An Unspoken Covenant?

Posted: August 11, 2015
By: Frank J. Moncher, Ph.D.

The Hippocratic Oath’s decree to “do no harm” is increasingly running head long into distorted notions of dignity and choice. As efforts at cost control push doctors to address end-of-life decisions with patients, some rightfully fear the direction of those discussions–going so far as to warn that doctors becoming involved in the terminating of life portends the end of medicine as we know it. Read

Is Pro-Life, Pro-Woman Legislation Reducing The Number Of Abortions?

Posted: August 4, 2015
By: Pilar Vazquez, Esq., Shawn Sheehey, J.D.

It was recently reported that abortions in the United States are declining. Some argue that this reduction is because of the greater accessibility of contraception. However, recent data from the state of Texas is producing solid evidence that legislation aimed at protecting human life and the health and safety of women has a significant impact. Read

New Definitions Of Stem Cells Causing Confusion

Posted: July 23, 2015
By: Dr. Pilar Calva, M.D.

Stem cells have been the object of intense, increasing interest due to their biological properties and the promise they hold for medical advances in the treatment of illnesses that are so far incurable. Unfortunately, this field creates confusion at times, in part because of a lack of understanding about what a stem cell is and in part because of the ambiguity regarding types of stem cells. We hope to clear up some of that confusion. Read

Adoption: Is Earlier Better?

Posted: July 16, 2015
By: Frank J. Moncher, Ph.D.

Prospective adoptive parents are getting involved in the lives of the birth mother and their hoped-for child earlier and earlier. Proponents note the positive benefits in terms of facilitating a more comfortable and connected open-adoption experience. Yet, others raise concerns about what can happen if the birth mother changes her mind. While there are no easy answers when dealing with such a powerful and poignant experience, one principle which might be applied is the preferential option for the most vulnerable, in this case, the baby. Read