Planned Parenthood found violating laws in Arizona and Nebraska (12/31/02)

Bill Frist replaces Trent Lott as Senate majority leader (12/20/02)

Senator Trent Lott resigned on December 20th as Senate majority leader.  Senator Bill Frist of Tennessee was named as Lott's replacement.  Even thought Frist is Pro-Life, the long term implications of this change are only starting to be identified.

Emergency contraception does not reduce abortion (12/17/02)

Planned Parenthood continues to mislead the public about how 'emergency contraception' works.   In a 12/17/02 press release, Planned Parenthood attributed a significant part of the recent decline in the abortion rate to use of emergency contraception. "First of all, 'emergency contraception' is a misnomer," said Douglas Scott of Life Decisions International. "There is no emergency and the drug is not a contraceptive.  So-called 'emergency contraception' is an abortion!  It does not prevent the creation of a new human life.  It destroys the life of a developing human being."  When conception has already taken place, this drug prevents implantation of the child in the uterus.

Stanford will clone human embryos for research (12/10/02)

On December 10th, Stanford University announced it intends to mass produce stem cells using Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer, more commonly known as 'therapeutic cloning.'  Double talk was used to pretend that this process is not cloning, but Dr. Irving Weissman, who will head up the research, also said he plans to recruit the top cloning reseachers to Stanford.

Landrieu maintains U.S. Senate seat from Louisiana (12/9/02)

Despite help from President Bush and Pro-Life organizations, pro-abortion incumbent U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu defeated pro-life candidate Suzanne Terrell in a runoff election on December 7th in Louisiana.   This result prevents a further increase in the new Republican majority in the U.S. Senate.

NOW v. Scheidler heard by the Supreme Court (12/5/02)

NOW v. Scheidler case came before the U.S. Supreme Court on December 4, 2002.  This case involves the right of U.S. citizens to protest unjust laws.  The Justices did not appear to be persuaded by argument that delaying women from getting  abortions amounts to extortion.  Their questions and comments suggest that a favorable ruling is likely, which is critical to preserving freedom of expression in our nation.

Study Shows Link between Birth Control Pills and Breast Cancer (12/5/02)

An article in the December 4, 2002 issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute reports on a study that shows a link between birth control pills and breast cancer.  The study focused on women with hereditary factors for increased risk.   "Women who first used oral contraceptives before 1975, who used them before age 30, or who used them for 5 or more years may have an increaed risk of early-onset breast cancer."

Transplant of Fetal Cells Fails (12/4/02)

On December 3rd, results of experimental treatment of Parkinson's disease patients using transplanted fetal cells were reported.  The treatment failed to show therapeutic benefit and caused serious side-effects in over 50% of the patients.  Use of fetal cells and embryonic stem cells continually fail while  positive results are achieved with adult stem cells.

It's a Baby!  (11/25/02)

European Parliament Supports Total Ban on Human Cloning (11/22/02)

On November 21st, the European Parliament voted 271-154 in favor of a total ban on human cloning.  The resolution calls on the European Commission, EU member states, and the United Nations to push for a comprehensive ban on human cloning.

Therapeutic Results from Embryonic Stem Cells Unlikely (11/21/02)

All the public promises and Congressional testimony vowing amazing cures to come from the use of embryonic stem cells have proven hollow with an astounding admission by one of the world's foremost embryonic stem cell scientists. John Gearhart, who gained international recognition in 1998 when he  successfully extracted human pluripotent stem cells from aborted fetal tissue, said at a November 14th conference: "I am not sure these cells are going to be used in therapies."

James Kopp admits he shot abortionist Barnett Slepian (11/21/02)

On November 21st, an AP story reported that James Kopp has admitted he shot abortionist Barnett Slepian on 10/23/98.  This information is very disturbing to everyone who defends life.  In a November 12th interview, Kopp said he shot Dr. Slepian, but did not intend to kill him.   This act can only be condemned as a total violation of God's law and completely contrary to the principles and goals of the Pro-Life movement. 

House Rejects Schumer Amendment -- Senate Kills Bankruptcy Bill (11/15/02)

On November 14th, the U.S. House of Representatives rejected the bankruptcy bill with the Schumer amendment included by a vote of 243-172.   The Schumer amendment targets peaceful Pro-Life demonstrators.  Before adjourning, the House again passed the bankruptcy bill without the Schumer amendment and sent it back to the Senate.  The Senate did not act on this House version so it died for this session of Congress.   Senator Tom Daschle refused to allow a vote on the House version of the bill.

Pro-Abortion PACs Unsuccessful Compared to Pro-Life PACs

While liberals fared poorly in general on November 5th, it's hard to ignore the wildly different performances of pro-choice and pro-life political action committees (PACs).  On the pro-choice side, the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) lost 10 of 11 races it was financially committed to.  Emily's List, another pro-choice campaign organization, lost 17 of 21.  On the other hand, 22 of 30 candidates backed by the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List were elected and 9 of 14 candidates backed by Concerned Women for America's political action committee won.

U.S. Senate Confirms Two Judicial Nominations

On November 19th, Dennis Shedd was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the 4th Circuit Appeals Court on a 55-44 vote.  On November 15th, Michael McConnell was confirmed to the 10th Circuit Appeals Court by unanimous consent.  These confirmation followed the November 14th release of these nominations from the Senate Judiciary Committee.  Both of these nominations had been delayed by outgoing Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) since President Bush submitted them in May, 2001.

Democrats Select Minority Leaders

On November 14th, House Democrats selected Rep. Nancy Pelosi as minority leader on a 177-29 vote.  She replaces Dick Gephardt, who resigned the Democratic leader position.  Pelosi has an extremely liberal voting record that includes support for anti-life positions.  Tom Daschle will continue to lead the Democrats in the Senate, but now as minority leader.   The previous day the Republicans selected leaders for both the House and Senate that support Pro-Life positions.  Dennis Hastert and Tom DeLay were selected in the House.  Trent Lott and Mitch McConnell were selected in the Senate.

Abortion Providers Must Report Potential Abuse

On November 1st, the California Attorney General's Office released an interpretation of the state's child abuse reporting requirements, asserting that, despite privacy concerns, abortion practitioners are required to make a report to authorities if an underage female is suspected of being impregnated by an adult male.  Even in California abortion providers cannot get a waiver of the law when the potential of sexual child abuse exists.

Planned Parenthood tells children they have a "right to abortion"

International Planned Parenthood Federation is telling children they have an "international right to abortion."  In a brochure intended for children, they state, "No one should turn you away or stop you from receiving services, or demand that you get someone else's permission first."  This "right to freedom from any parental interference in their sexual education or in the provision of reproductive services" is attributed to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Fortunately, the United States has not ratified this UN document.