> Issue Briefs > Life

Partly-Human Chimeras: Fearfully And Wonderfully Made?

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

Historically, the distinction between “man” and all other creatures has been relatively unchallenged, being established in religious texts as well as borne out in science and experience. Though cultural changes and legal perspectives are making this less obvious than heretofore, the truth remains intact—our own self-image is attacked when humanity is approached without due dignity. Read

Abortion, The Mother’s Life, And The Principle of Double Effect

Posted: November 19, 2015
By: Dr. Pilar Calva, M.D.

Imagine a pregnant woman diagnosed with uterine cancer and the only treatment alternative is a hysterectomy which would likely save her life, but surely end in the death of the child. Absent any action, both are expected to die. In such an instance, is the loss of the child permissible? The answer is simple, but the logic is worth understanding well. Read

NIH Debates Allowing Human-Animal Chimeras

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

Chimeras are formed by combining genetically-distinct cells, in this case human cells and animal cells. In 2005, the U.S. National Research Council and the Institute of Medicine recommended limits on such research, but 10 years later, they have reopened the debate. Where objections are rightfully raised, language is twisted and manipulated to disguise the truth of what is taking place, making an ethical analysis of a complex situation even more complex. Read

International Effort To Prohibit Surrogacy

Posted: October 27, 2015
By: Dr. Pilar Calva, M.D.

Arising from altruistic, though misplaced, intentions to aid couples that cannot conceive, surrogacy has become a multi-million-dollar business. The main argument used to justify surrogacy is the supposed right to a child, but there is no such right of one person over another. People are not things and cannot be made so. Most simply, surrogacy is the exploitation of women for reproductive purposes. Read

Do Women Need Planned Parenthood? (Part II)

Posted: October 20, 2015
By: Margaret Datiles Watts, J.D.

Testifying under oath, Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards admitted the following (i) Planned Parenthood does not, and has never, performed mammograms; (ii) Planned Parenthood offers no surgical procedure other than abortion; (iii) Planned Parenthood makes 86% of its money from abortion; and (iv) community health centers outnumber Planned Parenthood facilities. Respecting this last point, the ratio nationally is 20:1… Read

Do Women Need Planned Parenthood? (Part I)

Posted: October 15, 2015
By: Margaret Datiles Watts, J.D.

“[S]he taps the heart and it starts beating…the nodes were still firing…It had a face…Since the fetus was so intact she said, ‘ok, well, this is a really good fetus and it looks like we can procure a lot from it. We’re going to procure the brain.” Based upon recently released videos, it looks as if Planned Parenthood could be criminally liable under at least the following federal laws… Read

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