A population control group has called for a one-child policy to be implemented worldwide. Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) says that the policy, along with sustainable resource consumption, is needed to reduce the world's population, which is currently at about 6.5 billion. SPA President Ian Macindoe said, "People should perhaps think of the various countries as being a bit like a sheep station or a farm, you know, where you simply cannot have more animals grazing on a pasture that can't sustain them. I mean that's the situation that we're in, with human beings on the planet." [ABC News, 11 July]
Supporters of Chen Guangcheng, the blind pro-life activist currently facing prosecution by the Chinese government, are continuing to be harassed by the authorities. Hu Jia, a well-known activist and supporter of Chen, was on his way to Chen's house when he was surrounded by more than 30 men suspected to have been hired by local officials, who beat him for half an hour. Chen's wife was taken away on Monday for interrogation. One of Chen's lawyers, Li Jianqiang, who has received death threats, said, "On the surface this may look like an ordinary case. But this is actually a government taking revenge on an individual." [Life News, 11 July]
A Catholic charity is supporting a Peruvian University's initiative to save the unborn children of pregnant teenagers. The Family Guidance Centre of the Catholic University of Saint Paul in Arequipa says that thanks to the $12,000 donation from Aid the to the Church in Need, they have saved 87 lives from abortion. Castro Salinas, deputy director of the centre, said that the scheme aimed to provide "psychological, spiritual and material support" to the mothers considering abortion. [Zenit, 11 July]
A British woman was allegedly forced to opt for an abortion after a doctor conducted radiation tests that put her unborn child at risk. It is claimed that Dr Adrian Lowe, a Harley Street gynaecologist, did not check blood tests to see whether the woman, known as Mrs A, was pregnant before carrying out radiation tests which can cause the baby to develop cancer or miscarry. Mrs A miscarried days before she was due to have an abortion. The hearing in front of the General Medical Council continues. [British Nursing News, 12 July]
A British couple who had a third child after a vasectomy operation failed have received £37,000 compensation. Steven Wright was sent a letter saying, erroneously, that the operation had been successful, and this was the basis for the compensation. He and his wife, Sharon, found the operation had failed when they conceived in 2002. The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust apologised for sending the letter and stressed that vasectomies cannot be guaranteed to work every time. Mr Wright said that he and his wife considered but decided against an abortion. He said, "We did discuss an abortion but how can you terminate the product of a loving relationship? It just didn't seem right." [Yorkshire Post Today, 12 July]
The family of a brain damaged Muslim woman are fighting for her to be cared for at home so that she can share in daily prayers. Syedah Ahsan, 48, suffered two cardiac arrests after a hysterectomy operation in 2001 and is said to be in a non-responsive ("vegetative") state. Her husband, who drives a 40-mile round trip every day to pray with her, is asking for a High Court ruling on whether she should be cared for at home or in a nursing home. The NHS is arguing for the latter option, which is much less expensive. Mrs Ahsan's counsel Elizabeth Anne Gumbel QC, said: "It is of concern to the family that ... her prayer regime ... should remain a part of her life for as long as she is alive." [BBC News, 11 July]