News,
The UK pro-life charity Life has condemned doctors who prescribe contraceptives to underage girls, warning that they are condoning a criminal activity. A spokesman for Life said that the Department of Health should act against "open flouting of the law, especially by those agencies like the Family Planning Association which it funds generously." He added: "If the government will not act, we will." [icCoventry, 11 May]
The US pro-life organisation Priests for Life has welcomed the signing of the Women's Right to Know Act by the governor of Georgia. In a statement, Fr Frank Pavone remarked: "It is surprising that so many who claim to support the right to choose oppose the right of women to know what they are choosing." [US Newswire, 11 May]
A New York Supreme Court judge has ruled that tube feeding constitutes basic care not medical treatment in the case of an 86-year-old Orthodox Jewish woman. In his 17-page judgement, Martin Ritholz stated: "Judaism views nutrition and hydration by feeding tubes or intravenous lines not as medical treatment but as supportive care, no different from washing, turning or grooming a dying patient. The first halachic [Jewish law] principle of medical intervention is that whenever it is possible to increase the longevity of a patient, it should be done." [The Jewish Week, 14 April]
The University of Western Ontario has lost a $2 million bequest as a result of its decision to award an honorary degree to an abortionist who runs a number of abortion facilities. Don McDougal, chair of the university's board of governors, said: "I don't think there's any doubt that with literally thousands of alumni upset that it has some effect." The university's president stands by the decision and claims that it will not have a negative impact on the university in the long term. [Lifenews.com, 12 May]
A survey of pharmacies conducted by the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) has found that less than one third of Missouri pharmacies stock the morning after pill. Not stocking the morning after pill avoids the possibility of pharmacists with conscientious objections being forced to fill prescriptions. [LifeSiteNews.com, 11 May]
A study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society has suggested that the suicide rate among the over-80s is higher among those who have been hospitalised in the previous two years than those who have not. Researchers concluded that medical staff could therefore help identify those at risk of suicide. [Medical News Today, 12 May]
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