News,

Women who have a poor diet before giving birth could shorten the lifespan of their child, BBC reports. The suggestion came after Cambridge researchers found that mice who were fed low-protein diets gave birth to animals that died prematurely. Professor Jeremy Pearson of the British Heart Foundation which funded the research stated: "Although the importance of a balanced diet is clear, further research is needed to understand the effects of nutrition on human development." [BBC, 29 January ] A German medical professor has been accused of involvement in the murders of 159 mentally disabled women and girls during the Second World War. Dr Rosemarie Albrecht, 88, is accused of being part of the T-4 Nazi euthanasia programme, during which thousands of people considered 'unworthy of life' were killed. Dr Albrecht denies the charges and claims that she did not know what became of the 'untreatable patients' on her ward. [The Scotsman, 29 January ] Joel Brind, professor of human biology and endocrinology at the City University of New York, addressed MPs at the House of Lords yesterday on abortion and breast cancer. Professor Brind exposed the methodological flaws in studies that suggested no link between abortion and breast cancer and concluded that women had the right to know about the increased risk of breast cancer after an abortion. [The Scotsman, 28 January ] Research conducted by a Harvard-MIT Data Centre post-doctoral fellow has highlighted the role of pro-life state laws in the decline in the number of abortions during the 1990s. The study looks at the types of pro-life legislation passed during the 1990s such as informed consent and parental involvement laws, and the 17.4% decline in the abortion rate during that decade. [CWNews, 27 January ] An analysis of the US media's coverage of the 2003 March for Life has found that the event was largely ignored by national broadcasters. Even though 100 thousand people attended the pro-life march, not one news story had the event as its main topic and it was only reported nine times. This was compared with a much smaller antiwar march which was reported 26 times. What reporting there was of the March for Life was often inaccurate or slanted, suggesting much bigger counter-demonstrations and the existence of large numbers of extremists. [Lifenews, 27 January ] Following the authorisation of the morning after pill in Mexico, the Mexican bishops' commission on the family has warned about the abortion-inducing effects of the pill. The bishops stated that the morning after pill is a 'combination of hormones that can act to impede the implantation of an already fertilised ovum in the uterus, causing an abortion, that is, a gravely illicit act. It is an attack on the life of the most innocent of human beings.' [Zenit, 27 January ] A three-year US study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine has found that the majority of hospital patients experience controllable pain and are dissatisfied with the pain control they receive, MSNBC reports. 59% of the 5,500 patients involved in the study experienced pain, 28% reporting severe pain. [MSNBC, 26 January ] A leading US pro-abortion research has dismissed post abortion trauma as irrelevant. Nancy Russo of Arizona State University claimed: "Whether or not an abortion creates psychological difficulties is not relevant... it means you give proper informed consent and you deal with it." Priscilla Coleman of Bowling Green State University countered that 10% of women who undergo abortions suffer psychological problems as a result. "If it was any other medical procedure it would get more attention," she said. [Lifenews.com, 27 January ] Sinn Fein, the Northern Ireland political party, has launched its 'Rights for All' discussion document, which is a draft charter of rights. It includes references to the right to life but also the right 'to make decisions concerning reproduction.' Under 'Social and Economic Rights for All' it states: "Everyone shall have equal and free access to sexual and reproductive healthcare and to information and education relating to sexual and reproductive matters at all levels, free of coercion, discrimination or violence." Terms such as 'reproductive healthcare' and 'reproductive matters' include abortion. [SPUC, 27 January] A school in Scarborough is to make the morning after pill available to pupils at a lunchtime drop-in centre, Scarborough Today reports. Hugh Bellamy the headteacher said that the school would emphasise that sexual activity should not take place before the age of 16 and should form part of a loving relationship. A health care professional will be available to prescribe the pill to girls who request it. [Scarborough Today, 28 January ] Pro-life groups in Wales are fighting plans by an abortion provider to offer lunchtime abortions, the Western Mail reports. BPAS has applied for a licence to carry out abortions up to 10 weeks at their new clinic. However, Paul Botto, SPUC's development officer stated: "We will fight to stop our capital city becoming the abortion capital of Wales. Our defence of Welsh unborn children begins today." [icWales.co.uk, 29 January ]