News,
Doctors in England predicted an unborn baby with a heart condition would be stillborn, and twice recommended abortion, yet the child has been born and is now 10 months old. Hypoplastic aortic arch was diagnosed at four months' gestation. Gaynor and Lee Purdy, the boy's parents, switched hospitals during the pregnancy and never considered abortion. The blockage of Kai Purdy's aortic artery seems to have cured itself since birth. Edwards syndrome was also diagnosed in utero but he does not have it. [Daily Mail, 1 January]
The Vatican has ceased its practice of automatically adopting all legislation passed by Italy. Many Italian laws reportedly go against Catholic teaching and, from now on, will be scrutinised. Italy's government admitted some laws were obscure. The Holy See will also examine international treaties. [BBC, 2 January]
The Pope's new year message, already reported on by the media, includes: "Poverty is often considered a consequence of demographic change. For this reason, there are international campaigns afoot to reduce birth-rates, sometimes using methods that respect neither the dignity of the woman, nor the right of parents to choose responsibly how many children to have; graver still, these methods often fail to respect even the right to life. The extermination of millions of unborn children, in the name of the fight against poverty, actually constitutes the destruction of the poorest of all human beings." [Vatican on EWTN, 1 January]
A rule which allows US medical staff and institutions to opt out of unethical procedures comes into effect in under three weeks' time, and LifeNews speculates on how it might be promptly overturned. Two senators and two members of the House of Representatives have proposed laws to stop it from being implemented. The rule might alternatively be voided in a piece of legislation which also covered other issues. There is also a law allowing the congress to reject an outgoing administration's measures. Mr Tom Daschle, the incoming health secretary, could otherwise issue regulations which rescind President Bush's rule. Pro-life activists could try to get a court to rule the new administration's actions unconstitutional, and persuade states to introduce protection for health workers' consciences. [LifeNews, 1 January]
A young woman who was briefly in the American public eye last year because of her teenage pregnancy has said other girls should not do as she and her boyfriend did. Miss Bristol Palin, 18, whose mother unsuccessfully ran for vice president, said her situation was not ideal but she had been supported by family. Mrs Sarah Palin, Republican governor of Alaska, welcomed her grandson's birth and said: "The road ahead for this young couple will not be easy, but nothing worthwhile is ever easy." [Telegraph, 1 January] Many of Mrs Palin's remarks during her campaign were pro-life. Miss Palin is reportedly to marry Mr Levi Johnston, the child's father.
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