Merck Stops Producing Vaccines Without Cells From Babies Killed in Abortions
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A leading pro-life group is worried about a new decision from the pharmaceutical giant Merck. The company has decided to stop producing some vaccines that are not made based on fetal cells from abortions. Merck & Co. Inc has stopped the production and sale of its monovalent vaccines for measles, mumps and rubella. Instead, the company will focus on combination vaccine, MMRII, which accounts for 98 percent of the company's sales of the vaccines targeting those diseases. "Merck's separate dose for rubella, Meruvax, uses aborted fetal cell lines and taints the entire MMR II vaccine," Debi Vinnedge of the pro-life group Children of God for Life tells LifeNews.com. "The separate doses of Attenuvax (measles) and Mumpsvax (mumps) use chick embryo. Without these separate doses for measles and mumps, there will be no moral alternative for parents." Merck spokeswoman Amy Rose said the decision to eliminate the monovalent vaccines was made for both financial and health reasons. ACTION: Contact Merck and express your desire for the company to reverse its decision and make the non-abortion vaccines available. Contact Richard Clark, CEO, Merck & Company, One Merck Drive P.O. Box 100, Whitehouse Station, NJ 08889-0100. Call 908-423-1000 or find more information at http://www.merck.com/contact Full story at LifeNews.comFederal Unborn Victims Law Used for First Time to Prosecute Double Murder
Albuquerque, NM (LifeNews.com) -- Members of Congress approved the federal Unborn Victims of Violence Act in 2004 and a case out of New Mexico may be the first to involve a prosecution under the law. The law makes it so criminals are held accountable for killing both mother and child in an attack on the pregnant mother. Previously, federal prosecutors were unable to charge the assailant with killing or injuring the unborn child -- which failed to provide both victims with protection and adequate justice. The New Mexico case involves Frederick Beach, 37, who is charged with the deaths of Verlinda Kinsel, 29, and her unborn child, who Beach allegedly fathered. Beacher reportedly killed both Kinsel and her baby in September and he has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and child abuse charges and a charge of murder related to the baby. U.S. Attorney Greg Fouratt told the Albuquerque Journal his office searched and had not found any other cases prosecuted under the federal Unborn Victims of Violence Act. Some 35 states have similar laws on the books and most murders or assaults are prosecuted under those laws. The federal law is invoked when those acts take place within the context of a federal crime or in a federal jurisdiction such as a military base, national park, or, in this case, an Indian reservation. Full story at LifeNews.com
New Study Further Disproves Freakonomics Abortion-Crime Reduction Theory
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new study offer more reasons for doubting the Freakonomics theory put forward by University of Chicago economist Steven Levitt that claims legalizing abortion reduced crime. The study shows a large rise in homicides by black teens in recent years even though black women have the highest abortion rate. Respected criminologist James Alan Fox of Northeastern University has released a new study showing homicides by blacks between the ages of 14 and 17 have jumped 34 percent from 2000 through 2007. The number of crimes for white people in the same age range did not increase. In the book Freakonomics, Levitt claimed legalizing abortion led to a major drop in murder and other violent crimes in the 1980s and 1990s. He theorized that the babies who were victimized by abortion would have been more likely to commit crimes. But Fox's study shows violent crime in the black community has gone up in the last decade -- not down. "Yes, it's not nearly as bad as it was in 1990, but it is worse than it was in 2000," he told the Chicago Sun-Times. Yet, if Levitt's hypothesis is true, crime should have gone down significantly in the black community because of a higher abortion rate. Full story at LifeNews.com
Christian Group Starts Prayer Campaign for Obama to Change Mind on Abortion
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A Christian pro-life group has started a new prayer campaign to pray that incoming president Barack Obama will change his mind on abortion. Beginning tomorrow and extending for the next 19 days, the Christian Defense Coalition will lead prayer for Obama outside the White House. The prayer vigil will take place every day at noon until the inauguration. The group will close with a large prayer vigil on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. national holiday on Monday, January 19 at noon. The Christian Defense Coalition is encouraging the faith community to pray for Obama and his conversion on abortion at noon in their homes, churches and local communities all across the nation. The group will be praying daily for Obama from the 40 year old Inaugural Prayer of Dr. Billy Graham. Full story at LifeNews.com
Missouri Judge Says Amendment 2 Would Trump Law Banning ESCR Funding
Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) -- A Missouri judge issued a new ruling on Tuesday saying that Amendment 2 would trump state law prohibiting taxpayer funding of human cloning and embryonic stem cell research. The amendment is the measure Missouri voters very narrowly approved in 2006. Missouri Roundtable for Life filed a lawsuit seeking to block $21 million in public funds from going to the Life Sciences Research Board for grants for the controversial science. The law that created the Life Sciences Research Trust Fund, which sends the money to the board, specifically prohibits the funding. However, Cole County Judge Richard Callahan said Tuesday that the state constitutional amendment appears to trump the law. The board plans to disburse the funds early next year for the stem cell research grants it is considering funding. Pro-life groups don't want to see money go to scientists who are destroying human beings in research that kills them for their stem cells. In July, Callahan denied a request from pro-life advocates to temporarily stop the funds from going to the board for 15 days. Full story at LifeNews.com
Sarasota, FL (LifeNews.com) -- In October, county officials in Sarasota County in Florida cut thousands of dollars of funding to a local Planned Parenthood. Now, pro-life advocates say the facility has started doing abortions in what may be an attempt to generate more in annual income. Officials, citing poor economic conditions and the need to better balance the city budget, removed the second $12,500 of the original $25,000 allocated for Planned Parenthood family planning programs. Despite the efforts of dedicated pro-lifers in Sarasota, Planned Parenthood has opened its new abortion center and did abortions for the first time last Friday. Jim Sedlak, the head of STOPP International, a Planned Parenthood watchdog group, shed more light on the situation in an email to LifeNews.com. "Planned Parenthood was met by a group of pro-lifers who are dedicated to be present whenever babies are scheduled to die," he said. Full story at LifeNews.comBritish Abortion Practitioner Allan Templeton Gets Award From Queen Elizabeth II
London, England (LifeNews.com) -- Months after a prominent abortion practitioner in Canada received one of the nation's top civilian honors, a British abortion practitioner has receive an award as well. The honor is prompting outrage from pro-life advocates who say it is a injustice. Professor Allan Templeton, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, has been made a commander of Order of the British Empire for services to medicine. The award comes directly from Queen Elizabeth II. Anthony Ozimic, the political secretary for the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children tells Lifenews.com that doing abortions is not a service to Britain. "Abortion is neither honorable nor is it medicine," Ozimic adds. Full story at LifeNews.com
The President-elect appears to have stepped back from some of his campaign promises. That merely is speculation. We shall see. The President-elect did make a dogmatic statement regarding the so-called "Freedom of Choice" Act (FOCA). 
Springfield, IL (LifeNews.com) -- Embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected to name pro-abortion former state attorney general Roland Burris to fill the remainder of Barack Obama's term in the Senate. However, the Senate may reject Burris' appointment because of accusations that Blagojevich engaged in a pay-to-play scandal. Blagojevich has been under fire for weeks that he 
Springfield, IL (LifeNews.com) -- Roland Burris has been named by embattled pro-abortion Gov. Rod Blagojevich to serve the remainder of Barack Obama's term in the Senate. However, pro-life advocates are not happy with appointment in part because Burris watered down an anti-infanticide law that was contentious in the presidential campaign. During the presidential debate, 
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new Harris Poll finds a plurality of Americans want all or most abortions to be illegal and overwhelming majorities of Americans want more abortion limits in law. The nationwide poll showed just 9 percent said abortion should be legal for any reason at any time during pregnancy -- Barack Obama's position. The Harris survey included 2,341 adults and was conducted December 10-12. It found 82 percent of Americans said abortion should either be illegal under all circumstances or would limit its legality. More specifically, 49 percent of those polled took a pro-life position wanting all abortions made illegal (11 percent) or wanting almost all abortions illegal except for very rare cases of saving the mothers life or in rape or incest (38 percent). 
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new survey finds half of physicians nationwide support the new rules the Bush administration put in place that protect the conscience rights of doctors on abortion. The rules make it so medical centers and staff aren't forced to do abortions or refer for them. They provide better enforcement for existing federal laws by potentially revoking federal funding from violators and making them certify in writing that they will respect conscience rights. A new national study among 1,736 physicians conducted by HCD Research reveals 50 percent of physicians support the new rules. Just 33 percent oppose the rules and the rest had no opinion. A majority of those who responded also said they believed the "government should be involved in protecting health workers who refuse to participate in care they find ethically, morally or religiously objectionable." 
I want to congratulate the pro-life movement on the great work we have done so far to spread the word about the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA). There is no question that if FOCA passes, it would usher in the largest expansion of abortion since 1973. In fact, I believe our advocacy has been so potent that it has made pro-abortion forces lower the passage of FOCA on their list of priorities (maybe only to day 101). While we must press on against FOCA, we must not forget another serious, and maybe even more pertinent, threat: the termination of the Hyde Amendment. The Hyde Amendment, originally enacted in 1976, is a pro-life limitation amendment in the annual appropriations bill that restricts the direct federal funding of abortion through Medicaid. Without the Hyde Amendment, women eligible for Medicaid would have their abortions paid for by the Federal Government in other words, OUR tax dollars. If abortions are free to the individual, you can bet on abortion rates increasing. Because Hyde is an amendment in the annual appropriations bill, the Hyde Amendment must be passed every year to protect our tax dollars. FOCA may or may not come to the surface in 2009; however, the Hyde Amendment will have to be dealt with in 2009, making it a serious and pertinent threat to unborn human life. 
Little Rock, AR (LifeNews.com) -- An Arkansas legislator plans to bring back the ERA bill that pro-life advocates narrowly defeated last year because it would promote abortion. Though pro-life advocates don't oppose equal rights for women, Arkansas' approving the federal Rights Amendment (ERA) would promote abortion. A vote could also make it a federal right to force taxpayers across the nation to pay for abortions using public funds. Last February, an Arkansas state legislative committee defeated a resolution to approve the ERA. A state House panel voted down a ratification resolution (HJR 1002) after 20 co-sponsors abandoned it following the concerted pro-life lobbying effort. Rep. Lindsley Smith, a Democrat form Fayettville, says she plans to bring it back during the 2009 session of the legislature. 
Helena, MT (LifeNews.com) -- A leading attorney and author who is one of the top bioethicists in the U.S. says he's very disappointed that the Montana Medical Association has said it will take no position on assisted suicide. The MMA is refusing to support the state's efforts to stop the courts from making it the third to legalize the practice. As LifeNews.com reported Monday, 
When the March for Life steps out in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 22, women will be in the forefront. 
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The daughter of former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin has given birth to a son after her teenage pregnancy sparked a debate over abortion during the campaign. Reports indicate 18-year-old Bristol Palin gave birth to Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston on Saturday. Although the governor's office plans to release no information about the birth, calling it a private, family matter, Bristol's grandmother's sister Colleen Jones talked about the birth with People magazine. Jones says Tripp was born at 7 pounds, 4 ounces and that "the baby is fine and Bristol is doing well." The Palin family 
London, England (LifeNews.com) -- British Prime Minister Gordon Brown hinted at opposing a bill to legalize assisted suicide in England and, in a Tuesday interview, made that opposition solid. Brown engaged in an interview with Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the Archbishop of Westminster, a guest host of the Today program on Radio 4. Brown said he would block any legislation to legalize assisted suicide and he said he believed British law should make "absolutely clear" that it recognizes the value of human life. "I am totally against laws [allowing assisted suicide or euthanasia]," Brown said. "It is not really for us to create any legislation that would put pressure on people to feel they had to offer themselves because they were causing trouble to a relative or anyone else. I think we have got to make it absolutely clear that the importance of human life is recognized." 
Ottawa, Canada (LifeNews.com) -- After the new leader of the all-party pro-life caucus in the Canadian Parliament wrote an editorial Monday urging Prime Minister Stephen Harper to reopen the abortion debate, Harper has responded. The Conservative Party leader says he has no plans to file or support an abortion bill. Rod Bruinooge, a Conservative MP for Winnipeg South, 
MEDIA RELEASE
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=0c23a226-55cd-4aab-b29c-ed51a2d4b167)
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Rahm Emanuel, the pro-abortion Illinois congressman Barack Obama chose to become his White House chief of staff after capturing the presidential election, is facing pressure to resign. Emanuel is alleged to have discussed the names of possible replacement candidates for Obama's Senate seat in the Illinois 
Indianapolis, IN (LifeNews.com) -- A staffer at an Indianapolis Planned Parenthood abortion business has resigned after a video showed her covering up an apparent case of statutory rape. The resignation comes on the heels of the firing of a staff member at a Bloomington, Indiana Planned Parenthood following a similar expose' video. In total, three videos have appeared in recent weeks showing the nation's largest abortion business failing to protect young girls in cases of sexual abuse. In this most recent case, two Planned Parenthood employees say they "don't care" about the age difference between a 31-year-old man and the 13-year-old girl he was reported to have impregnated. "We don't really care about who, what, the age of the boyfriend," the unnamed Planned Parenthood staff member says. Planned Parenthood of Indiana spokeswoman Kate Shepherd has recently confirmed one of the two employees resigned. She also released a statement saying the abortion business is committed to following state law, which requires the reporting of any suspicions that an underage person has been a victim of sexual abuse. 
"The Bible says nothing directly about abortion." Have you ever heard this claim before? I know I have. And the uncomfortable truth is that, in a certain sense, it's accurate. The deliberate termination of a pregnancy is not directly addressed anywhere in scripture. On the one hand, this could mean that the practice is merely a matter of personal choice, having been left alone by even God Himself. On the other hand, this could also mean that the culture for which the Bible was written was so deeply affirming of childbearing that the idea of aborting a baby would have been literally inconceivable to them. After all, there are no commands in the Bible to breathe, presumably because Jewish culture is staunchly pro-air. But even if the Bible doesn't quite give us a definitive proclamation on the overall question of abortion, that doesn't mean it says nothing relevant at all. One of the key points of contention in this debate is whether the fetus is a person and, if so, when in gestation this occurs. Most pro-lifers believe it's at conception, but those who believe abortion is morally acceptable think this happens at some later stage of pregnancy such as implantation, quickening, viability or birth. Until the other day, I would have said the Bible was somewhat indeterminate on this issue. But now, I would be as bold as to say that it plainly teaches us that a fetus is a person at most within the first four weeks of gestation and, more likely, even within the first few days after conception. If so, then Christians who haven't previously realized this would have to acknowledge that even early term abortions end the life of a person. And this would, in turn, affect the advice they give to others who might currently be contemplating abortion, even perhaps their own daughters. Let me show you what I found for the first time the other day. 