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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

Who was Professor Jérôme Lejeune?

Posted: May 5, 2015
By: Dr. Pilar Calva, M.D.

I studied medicine with a constant scientific outlook, with the honesty required by a search for truth. When I finished medical school, I had a few months before being able to begin a program specializing in genetics. My dad suggested … Read

Caring When There Is No Cure – Part 2

Posted: April 28, 2015
By: Dr. Pilar Calva, M.D.

In my previous brief, we focused on providing palliative care, when curing is not possible. Today, we continue our discussion with the promised focus on proportionality. First, however, we should review a few terms: Euthanasia is when one person brings … Read

Ending Piecemeal Abortion – State By State

Posted: April 23, 2015
By: E. Christian Brugger, D.Phil.

A thought experiment. Imagine a woman falling asleep in 1955—the year the “The Mickey Mouse Club” debuted—and waking in April 2015 to hear the reply of DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fl.) to Rand Paul’s question: “Is it okay to … Read

Caring When There Is No Cure

Posted: April 2, 2015
By: Dr. Pilar Calva, M.D.

The Pontifical Academy for Life dedicated an assembly last month to the elderly and palliative care, a difficult issue when decisions for loved ones have to be made. Euthanasia etymologically means “a good death (eu thánatos),” to die well. Nevertheless, … Read

Suicide Risk And 21st Century Man

Posted: March 17, 2015
By: Frank J. Moncher, Ph.D.

The statistical risk of committing suicide among men in their late 40s to late 50s has increased almost 50% in the past decade. While the vast majority of men don’t experience such serious despair that they consider harming themselves, the … Read