How dangerous are abortions? L.B., Edmonton
A measure of danger of medical procedures can be found the rates for medical malpractice insurance. The higher the danger, the higher the rates.
In his classic book Abortion, Dr. J. Willke says that Florida rates its doctors. Until January 1, 1984, the doctors were rated Class I up to Class VI. On the date “a special ultra-risk Class VII was created for abortionists.” Thus abortion was rated as more dangerous than heart surgery or brain surgery.
Is it true that abortifacients such as the pill and IUD’s kill more pre-born babies than abortionists do? L.M., Chatham, Ontario
Yes, it’s true.
In the United States early abortions caused by abortifacients have been estimated to run between 6.4 to 8.8 million a year. Abortionists kill another 1.5 million pre-born babies. It is probably fair to say that for every unborn child killed by an abortionist, another five are destroyed by abortifacients such as birth control pills and IUDs. In Canada, where there are fewer abortuaries, the death rate for abortifacients could be higher.
I read some of Dr. Lejeune’s testimony in the United States where he mentioned Jeffrey’s and other scientists. Do you have other details of Jeffrey’s work and how it relates to the pro-life cause? H.F., Chatham
Alec Jeffreys, a biologist at the University of Leicester, England, is the inventor of DNA (or genetic) fingerprinting. DNA fingerprinting is a revolutionary system for identifying humans by means of the DNA found in every human cell. Using Jeffrey’s intricate technique it is possible to take cells – e.g., blood, skin, semen, hair root – and by a procedure requiring several chemical steps, produce a print.
The prints is shown as a series of bars resembling the bar codes on packaged goods in stores.
Every human being has his own unique DNA print, completely distinct from the rest of mankind, and this fact has proved to be a valuable took in solving crimes. In July 1988, for the first time in U.S. history, a judge in Virginia allowed in evidence (almost the only evidence) perfectly matching DNA prints from semen in a case involving a series of rapes followed by murder. The rapist-strangler was convicted on the scientific evidence that no other person in the world has the same DNA print.
Professor Lejeune has explained that it is now possible to prove conclusively by experiments that a new human being has his own DNA print from the beginning. Fragments of his print match with the mother’s; other fragments match with the father’s. But the pre-born child, with his own DNA fingerprint is not part of his mother’s body, any more than he is part of his father’s body. DNA fingerprinting is a new scientific argument to use to defend the pre-born child.
What is known about the new implant contraception, Norplant? L.M., Chatham
Norplant was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 1990. Matchstick-size capsules of Norplant are implanted under the skin of the upper arm during minor surgery. The implant then releases hormones that can prevent pregnancy for up to five years. However, it should be noted that the term ‘contraceptive’ is a misnomer. The current literature implies that pregnancy is prevented by making the lining of the womb hostile to the implantation of the week-old new human.
Norplant, therefore, is an abortifacient.
The long-term effects of Norplant are unknown. A recent article quoted a leading gynecologist who warned that interference with the woman’s natural bodily cycles over a period of years could damage the endometrium (the lining of the womb) beyond repair.
Nonetheless, the U.S. Planned Parenthood Federation announced April 3, that their clinics would perform the necessary surgery and implant Norplant without parental knowledge or consent.
