Dear Nancy,
Please see the following, which is taken from our American Life League website . . . www.all.org . . . under the "Education/Abprtion" section. I hope it is helpful to you.
Judie Brown
The mother’s life
This excuse for allowing abortion sounds reasonable. If the pregnancy is threatening the mother’s life, it would seem that lethal force — an abortion — would be a permissible form of self-defense. The child is not really "attacking" the other, but his presence puts her at risk. It sounds like a good argument, but it simply isn’t true.
Hundreds of doctors have a signed a statement that puts the situation in perspective. The statement reads, "There is never a situation in the law or in the ethical practice of medicine where a preborn child’s life need be intentionally destroyed by procured abortion for the purpose of saving the life of the mother. A physician must do everything possible to save the lives of both of his patients, mother and child. He must never intend the death of either."
A tubal (or ectopic) pregnancy, for instance, can indeed be life-threatening. But the treatment, even if it is fatal to the child, is not a "procured abortion." The doctor wants to save the baby, but knows that is unlikely. The baby’s death is an unintended consequence of the physician’s effort to save the mother. There are similar cases involving the treatment of cancer in which the baby’s death can be an unintended consequence. But again, these are medical treatments, not abortion.
It is important to distinguish between direct abortion, which is the intentional and willed destruction of a preborn child, and a legitimate treatment a pregnant mother may choose to save her life. Operations that are performed to save the life of the mother-such as the removal of a cancerous uterus or an ectopic pregnancy that poses the threat of imminent death-are considered indirect abortions.
They are justified under a concept called the "principle of double effect." Under this principle, the death of the child is an unintended effect of an operation independently justified by the necessity of saving the mother’s life.
Essentially, both mother and child should be treated as patients. A doctor should try to protect both. However, in the course of treating a woman, if her child dies, that is not considered abortion.
"Today it is possible for almost any patient to be brought through pregnancy alive, unless she suffers from a fatal disease such as cancer or leukemia, and if so, abortion would be unlikely to prolong, much less save the life of the mother."
-Alan Guttmacher, former Planned Parenthood president
"There are no conceivable clinical situations today where abortion is necessary to save the life of the mother. In fact, if her health is threatened and an abortion is performed, the abortion increases risks the mother will incur regarding her health."
-Dr. Bernard Nathanson, American Bioethics Advisory Commission
There is only one purpose for abortion — ending the life of the child. The "life of the mother" situation for abortion is simply bogus.
See also "Abortion — NOT Even When the Pregnancy Threatens the Life of the Mother?" at http://www.all.org/upload/2010/02/23/1013.pdf
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by Leslie Tignor
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Today’s guest commentary addresses the recent awarding of the Nobel Prize to two recipients whose research should not be condoned or accepted by the pro-life community. American Life League’s Leslie Tignor explains why this is so. Read on for her insights.
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In just a few short weeks, our nation will be casting votes in both local and national elections. While some may act disinterested or think these elections hold little importance, we must realize that the opposite is true. Our country cannot, and should not, be run on policies created outside of God’s law and with no respect or attention given to the truths taught by Our Lord. This will only lead to our nation’s downfall. What do we do in order to cast a vote in accordance with these truths? Today’s commentary addresses this.
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by Michael Hichborn
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10
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by Judie Brown
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Somehow we, as a human race, have gotten it into our heads that babies are either something to be desired or not, something to be controlled or destroyed, or something to be tinkered with. Gone is the notion that human beings are created in the image and likeness of God and, thus, should be respected and cherished. Here are the days of doing whatever we want with our bodies and the babies created—no matter how—for whatever selfish reason we may deem acceptable. Today’s commentary addresses this mentality. Read on for Judie Brown’s insights.
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The Folly of Pandering to Public Opinion
by Judie Brown
Oct
05
The Bible teaches the parable of the shepherd who lost a sheep and, through this, we have come to realize just how valuable and special each and every soul is to our Lord. The loss of even one sheep—one soul—is not acceptable. Thus is the case with abortion. The loss of one human life can never be acceptable or considered okay, no matter the circumstances. In a few weeks, voters in Florida will decide whether to approve an amendment to the state constitution. Today’s commentary explains the flaws in this proposal and how it will not truly protect the sanctity of life.
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