| 
"Science and ethics finally fell in love, in other words, and Obama seems to have fallen asleep during the kiss."
These are the words of an insightful, yet witty column in the Washington Post by syndicated columnist Kathleen Parker. The column questions the wisdom of the President's missed opportunity to unite the nation around research that is both groundbreaking and ethical, and gives the nation a heads up that the executive order is not limited to stem cells lines from so-called "left-over embryos."
* Read the column, and leave a comment for Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker:
Behind the Cell Curve
Why Is the President Ignoring a Scientific Gift?
* The New York Times recognizes that NIH can (and likely will) include stem cell lines obtained from human embryos created solely for the purpose of destroying them for research via human embryo cloning (which they carefully refer to as "somatic cell nuclear transfer"):
NYT Editorial: The Rules on Stem Cells
* The NY Times has exposed the clone and kill strategy (above) -- Learn the code words:
BDF Fact Sheet: Is SCNT really Human Cloning?
* Educate yourself about the facts that the President ignored:
BDF Fact Sheet on Embryo Exploitive Executive Order
Stay tuned for information on upcoming efforts by Congress to codify the Obama executive order into federal law, and to repeal the Dickey-Wicker amendment's ban on using tax dollars to directly destroy human embryos for experimentation. . . Unlike the executive order, citizens will have the opportunity to engage in the democratic process regarding these extreme efforts.
|
|
1 comment:
PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ENDING: HURRY TAKE ACTION NOW!!
Rescission Proposal: 0991-AB49 http://www.regulations.gov/search/search_results.jsp?css=0&&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchall&Ne=2+8+11+8053+8054+8098+8074+8066+8084+8055&N=0&Ntt=0991-AB49&sid=12078CBEF750
On April 9, the 30 day comment period will end in which citizens can voice their concern of President Obama's rescission of the conscience clause. This clause allows medical professionals and organizations (such as hospitals) to choose not to provide services which are contrary to their religious beliefs or missions. This specifically pertains to the performance of abortions and sterilizations. Information on the clause and to make a public comment can be found at http://www.regulations.gov/search/search_results.jsp?css=0&&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchall&Ne=2+8+11+8053+8054+8098+8074+8066+8084+8055&N=0&Ntt=0991-AB49&sid=12078CBEF750
The conscience clause has been in effect since the 1970's, for over 30 years. During that time, abortions and sterilizations have grown in both demand and availability, being readily available throughout the country even in rural areas. Therefore, the existence of this regulation has in no way limited the ability of all Americans to receive these services if they choose.
This clause has, however, protected the freedom of both medical professionals and medical organizations (a corporation is legally a "person"). It allows those individuals to conduct their medical work without being forced into any conduct that would contradict their faith views. It allows hospitals with faith-based missions to continue to practice as well. Note that Catholic hospitals are the largest provider of hospital services in the United states. Then consider other hospitals with faith based missions, and you can see the import of this clause to allowing these organizations to exist, as well as see that this clause has in no way limited availability of abortion services.
There is an old saying "if it ain't broke, why fix it?". This is true here. After 30 years, this amendment is well tested and has not inhibited the quality of health care provided to Americans.
So why now is the Obama administration attempting to rescind this clause? We don't know, but clearly it is not for the purpose of improving health care.
What will be the results if this is rescinded? Catholic hospitals across the country, the largest provider of hospital services in this nation, will close down. Medical professionals of all faiths will risk losing their job due to religious discrimination or have to willingly give up their job. So the quality of healthcare IN EVERY SINGLE AREA OF HEALTH will be drastically and negatively affected, as well as religious discrimination and persecution institutionalized in our healthcare system. And all done to force mandatory abortion services that are not even needed because sufficient facilities and personnel exist to provide these.
So why now is I the Obama administration attempting to rescind this clause? It makes absolutely no sense.
Summary:
Our country was founded upon religious freedom. To repeal this clause and force individuals as well as medical organizations to conduct acts against their religious beliefs or corporate mission statements is discrimination. There are sufficient providers of abortion and sterilization services across the country, even in rural areas; it is clearly not necessary to force medical professionals and organizations to conduct these services. This clause has been in effect for over 30 years without causing any undue hardship to the American people. Therefore, there is no sound, need-based reason for rescinding this clause. The reason can only be discrimination against people of faith. In rescinding this clause, our government is potentially ruining our entire health care system simply for the purpose of making abortion mandatory (note, it is already easily available). Even citizens with no particular faith belief can see how their overall health care will be adversely affected by this action. This defies all logic and so can only be hate based.
It is important that every American, whether or not of any faith belief, stand up and insist this clause remain in effect for the continued quality healthcare of all American citizens IN ALL FIELDS OF MEDICINE. Don't let a political agenda destroy our healthcare system.
CALL BY THURSDAY BETWEEN 9AM AND 5PM EASTERN STANDARD TIME:
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
OR
EMAIL YOUR OBJECTION NOW
proposedrescission@hhs.gov
OR
TYPE YOUR OBJECTION INTO THE WEBFORM NOW http://www.regulations.gov/search/search_results.jsp?css=0&&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchall&Ne=2+8+11+8053+8054+8098+8074+8066+8084+8055&N=0&Ntt=0991-AB49&sid=12078CBEF750
(IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE WITH THAT LINK GO TO www.Regulations.gov
ENTER 0991-AB49 into Search Documents
(You will be able to get the facts here)
Then click on Send a Comment or Submission
Post a Comment