Pro-Life News: Abortion, Stem Cell Research, Human Cloning, etc. 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
April 24, 2006
CBS News Poll Again Finds Americans Take Pro-Life View on Abortion
New York, NY (LifeNews.com) — A new CBS News poll has again found that more Americans take a pro-life than pro-abortion view on the issue of abortion. Asked about their personal feeling on abortion, 47 percent took a pro-life position opposing all or most abortions. Some 33 percent said abortion should only be legal in the rare cases of saving the mother’s life or rape and incest while 14 percent said it should only be legal to save the mother’s life. Meanwhile, 46 percent took a pro-abortion position saying abortion should always be legal (29 percent) or be permitted but subject to greater restrictions than it is now (17 percent). Ultimately, 64 percent of Americans want more restrictions on abortion. Three percent didn’t know how they felt about abortion. A January CBS News poll found a 50-42 pro-life split and a Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll released last week found a 51-46 pro-life split. Other polls, such as Gallup and Wirthlin Worldwide, have found a 55-45 pro-life margin. The CBS News poll was conducted April 6-9.
Newspaper: Lax Oversight at Pitt Allowed Embryonic Stem Cell Research Scandal
Pittsburgh, PA (LifeNews.com) — The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review released the results of an investigation into University of Pittsburgh professor Gerald Schatten’s involvement in the international scandal over embryonic stem cell research. It determined that lax policies at the college contributed to some of the problems. Pitt said the university sanctioned Schatten’s involvement with Hwang Woo-suk’s research team, but engaged in poor oversight that could have caught some of the problems in their fabrication of embryonic stem cell research advances. The Tribune-Review said Pitt is disregarding some federal guidelines for researchers and skipped a complete review of Schatten’s researcher after he provided assurances that none of the egg donors were known to Hwang’s team. It blamed Schatten for failing to show Pitt a copy of either of the disputed articles with the false claims until after they had been published. It also blamed Pitt from withholding privately funded research such as Schatten’s from federal oversight.
California Stem Cell Research Agency Wins Judicial Battle, Appeal Expected
San Francisco, CA (LifeNews.com) — A California judge has ruled that two lawsuits filed by taxpayer and pro-life groups against the agency responsible for distributing billions in taxpayer funds for embryonic stem cell research and human cloning are frivolous. Alameda County Superior Court Judge Bonnie Lewman Sabraw dismissed two lawsuits which said the agency was rife with conflicts of interest and violate state law requiring more state government oversight because it is dispensing tax dollars. Sabraw disagreed and ruled the state had enough control over the agency and it was operating within state law. She ruled the groups failed to show that the measure establishing it was "clearly, positively and unmistakably unconstitutional." The lawsuits have held up any significant funding of the controversial research and an appeal is expected in the case, which will likely delay any major funding for at least a year. Voters approved the taxpayer funds in 2004. The California Family Bioethics Council and the National Tax Limitation Foundation filed the suits.
British Women Launch Post-Abortion Silent No More Campaign
London, England (LifeNews.com) — Following on the heels of similar campaigns in the United States, post-abortive women have launched a Silent No More campaign in England, helping rally women who have had abortions and regret their decision. Women gathered in Parliament Square in London on Saturday morning to launch their own campaign. The women spoke about their own abortion experiences and hope they can provide help and healing for other women with pain and anguish following an abortion. Linda Porter of British Victims of Abortion, told those present, "We have chosen to launch this campaign in front of the Houses of Parliament where the Abortion Act was passed in 1967. The legacy of almost 40 years of abortion is that around five million women have made this decision and very many are left struggling in silence with their feelings of regret and loss." Georgette Forney, who founded the group in the U.S., added, "I have traveled from America to stand alongside women from all over the UK because we want other women who can relate to our pain to hear about the hope and help we have found."
British Man Who Botched Abortion Can Practice if Retrained
London England (LifeNews.com) — The British General Medical Council ruled that an abortion practitioner who nearly killed a woman in a botched abortion and was the subject of charges of sexual harassment from 35 women can practice medicine again if he undergoes retraining. He can keep his medical license if he can "regain and update his clinical skills" the panel ruled. The GMC will review Mr. Gbinigie’s case again in nine months, when it will examine evidence of his retraining. According to the BBC, Chairman Dr. Howard Freeman told him: "The panel notes that you have not undertaken any medical work since 2003 and is not satisfied that you would be safe to return at this time to unrestricted practice." The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists supported him returning to medicine. The GMC in January ruled he can keep practicing medicine but he was subject to earlier restrictions placed on him after the botched abortion. He has asked for the limits to be lifted. See https://www.lifenews.com/nat2168.html for more details.
Missouri Governor’s Pastor Differs With Him on Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) — The pastor of Gov. Matt Blunt’s home church, Second Baptist Church in Springfield, disagrees with him on the issue of embryonic stem cell research and human cloning. Specially, Pastor John Marshall disagrees with the governor on the use of human cloning to create embryos solely for the purpose of destroying them for their stem cells. Because human cloning and the destruction of human life are involved, Marshall opposes the practice. In an article posted on the church Web site, the pastor wrote, "It is playing with words to say" the "accumulation of human cells is not an embryo, and thus not human life." He wrote that the use of adult stem cells has already provided dozens of cures and treatments without the ethical problems. The Pathway, a newspaper published by the Missouri Baptist Convention, touted Marshall’s article in a recent edition. "Our church is strongly pro-life," he told The Pathway. "We feel that embryonic stem cell research is a pro-life issue. It’s a taking of life." A spokesman for Blunt told the Columbia Tribune newspaper that he has spoken with scientific and religious leaders ab out his position.
Arkansas Pro-Life Group Can Run Candidate Commercials on Abortion Issues
Little Rock, AR (LifeNews.com) — The statewide pro-life group in Arkansas can run pro-life commercials educating voters about the stances candidates take on abortion issues. Arkansas Right To Life requested the legal opinion of the Arkansas Ethics Commission. AEC said the group can run the commercials if they don’t "expressly advocate the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate." Then the group’s PAC would need to run the ads. Right to Life attorneys James Bopp and Raeanna Moore, have sought similar legal opinions in several other states, including California, Kansas, Missouri, Ohio and Missouri. Rose Mimms, executive director of Arkansas Right to Life, did not say when the ads would run or what candidates would be lauded or criticized in them.
