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Prenatal Testing - For Harm or For Good?
As an ultrasound specialist for more than 30 years, I have many occasions to share joyous news with parents-to-be. Unfortunately, I am often required to deliver devastating news of a problem or even death, as well. Indeed, I am routinely on the frontline of a rapidly-emerging ethical battle: a question of how to use modern technology in a way that respects and protects human life.
The issue is prenatal testing, a process that allows parents to evaluate possible health problems and the gender of their preborn child. While it has obvious benefits, the potential for misuse is growing. Prenatal testing, like many tools, can be used for harm or for good.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to know if your child will face health issues, such as Down Syndrome, also known as Trisomy 21. There is also nothing wrong with wanting to learn if your child will be a boy or girl. The question is what you do with the information.
Sadly, many parents may make the decision to terminate a pregnancy because of a health problem, or worse, because the baby is the “wrong” gender.
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Rethinking the 'March of Dimes'
The March of Dimes Foundation, MOD, has become a household word. After all, a healthy, happy baby is the desire of each and every parent, isn’t it? Over the years, there has been much good work accomplished by the March of Dimes. As we look deeper, however, things are not always as they appear….
March of Dimes began as the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis in 1938. The group was founded by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to his own personal struggle and the raging polio epidemic of that era. The foundation established assistance programs for polio victims and funded research that later put an end to the polio epidemic.
With polio effectively eradicated, “Saving Babies Together” became the March of Dimes new campaign. They promoted themselves as researchers and providers of prenatal education and newborn screenings. While good things have been accomplished by the March of Dimes Foundation, there are several facts that the public may not know:
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Please Vote: It Matters
It’s essential that Georgia pro-life supporters exercise their right to vote in the upcoming 2012 election. Selecting the right candidates for the State Legislature and State Supreme Court will be crucial in advancing our efforts to protect the innocent.
For example, the current House leadership refuses to allow a “Personhood” amendment to be placed on the ballot. Such an amendment would protect human life from the moment of conception until natural death.
One reason for this stalemate is that many so-called pro-life candidates don’t honor their promises once in office, such as Speaker of the House, David Ralston.
Another reason is that a large percentage of people don’t inform themselves about the candidates. Worse, many don’t make the effort to vote. They sit on the sidelines and let others choose the candidates and set the agenda.
When people of faith opt out of the election process, they violate both their civic and Biblical responsibilities.
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Monkey Madness
The slippery slope of cloning got a little steeper recently when researchers announced they have created the world’s first mixed-embryo monkeys.
Scientists at the Oregon National Primate Research Center said three monkeys were formed by merging six different embryos. The monkeys, named “Roku,” “Hex” and “Chimero,” had gene traits from all the separate embryos used to meld them.
Such animals are known as “chimeras.” The word comes from ancient Greek mythology and has come to refer to an organism composed of two or more fertilized eggs or embryos from different animals.
The development was hailed as a major breakthrough since it’s the first time such experiments have been successful with primates. Previously, the center used rodents to create chimeras for research.
The pursuit of such hybrids is widespread. For example, there have been numerous, mostly unsuccessful, attempts to produce a wide range of clones, including human/animal clones.
Altered mice have long been used to study a wide range of ailments and potential remedies, including those for obesity, heart disease, anxiety, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease.
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783 Holcomb Bridge Rd | Norcross, GA 30071 US |
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