SPUC has dismissed a claimed breakthrough towards the creation of artificial sperm as unethical and spurious. According to results published in Nature magazine online, researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine have turned embryonic stem cells, taken from surplus IVF embryos, into human germ cells, which are the precursors of sperm and ova. [Daily Mail, 29 October] http://is.gd/4H3Y2 Anthony Ozimic of SPUC commented: "This research is unethical, because human embryos - innocent, equal members of the human family - were killed to extract the embryonic stem cells used in the research. Even if the research hadn't involved embryo-killing, the creation of artificial gametes would enable even more human embryos to be created outside the human body, to be killed and abused. [SPUC, 28 October] http://is.gd/4G8JN

The Belfast high court has concluded two days of hearings in the judicial review of government abortion guidance, brought by SPUC. Mr James Dingemans, SPUC's barrister, outlined to Lord Justice Girvan why the government's guidance was inadequate and needs to be withdrawn and re-examined so that it deals more adequately with the issues. He reiterated that Northern Ireland law protected the unborn. Judgement in the case has been reserved. [SPUC, 27 and 28 October] http://is.gd/4F0aw and http://is.gd/4GbVf

SPUC has responded to the news [Telegraph, 26 October] http://is.gd/4H4U9 that three Down's syndrome babies are aborted every day by proposing research on abortion for disability. John Smeaton, SPUC's national director, said: "We must find out whether pre-abortion counselling includes a warning that women are more likely to suffer psychologically if they abort a child because of his or her disability. We shall also carry out research among politicians. [John Smeaton, 27 October] http://is.gd/4Ef5R

SPUC Pro-Life has welcomed the withdrawal of Lord Alderdice's amendment to the Coroners and Justice bill. The amendment, which would have allowed assisted suicide, was opposed by a majority of those Lords who spoke in the debate. Anthony Ozimic of SPUC Pro-Life commented: "The idea of allowing assisted suicide was condemned as discriminatory, highly dangerous and threatening. Lords were offended by Lord Alderdice's suggestion that coroners should decide who may live or die under his amendment. His amendment was described as 'dismal', a 'travesty' and surrounded by 'weasal words'. We congratulate those Lords who so firmly opposed the amendment, and the many members of the public who lobbied Lords prior to the debate. The director of public prosecutions should read tonight's debate closely as he drafts his policy on prosecuting assisted suicide." [SPUC, 26 October] http://is.gd/4H4dp

Other stories:

• SPUC calls on supporters to oppose radical pro-abortion reports
• SPUC dismisses 'artificial sperm' breakthrough
• Belfast high court concludes two-day abortion guidance hearings
• Three babies with Down's Syndrome aborted every day
• SPUC Pro-Life welcomes withdrawal of Alderdice amendment
• Neocutis company using cell lines from aborted baby in anti-wrinkle creams [LifeSiteNews.com, 27 October] http://is.gd/4Hcas
• Catholic officials protest Colombian court ruling to teach about abortion 'rights' [The Pilot, 27 October] http://is.gd/4Hddi
• President of Peruvian constitutional court suggests prohibiting sale of morning-after pill [Catholic News Agency, 28 October] http://is.gd/4Hdmg
• Pro-life demonstration in Peruvian capital [BBC, 21 October] http://is.gd/4He5u
• Most of China's 13 million abortions are forced, claims expert [Epoch Times, 31 August] http://is.gd/4HbUy
• Switzerland aims to stop suicide tourism [Telegraph, 29 October] http://is.gd/4HbvO