Prior abortion linked to autism? "Yes" says Harvard

Brent Rooney of Justice for Kids, which looks at the connection between previous abortions and problems in subsequent children, brought to our attention this recent study from Harvard. It is so powerful that I sent his press release to all the media outlets in Massachusetts. Take a look at their website, http://www.justiceforkids.webs.com.  It has intuitive but still-amazing information like the fact that the incidence of cerebral palsy went down by 71% in Poland when abortion was made illegal. You and Mother Nature have been right all along!   Following the press release, I have the link to a study showing that some stem cells of unborn babies stay with their mothers and protect them for a life-time! Not bad! Anne      Harvard Study Links Autism to Prior Abortions   9 January 2012   Press Release: Third Study Links Autism Risk to Prior Abortions Source:              Brent Rooney (MSc; Reduce Preterm Risk Coalition)   In 2011 Harvard University researchers led by Kristen Lyall reported that women with prior IAs (Induced Abortions) elevate their relative odds of delivering a newborn later diagnosed with Autism by a significant 26%.[1, Lyall] This makes at least the third published study finding that prior IAs significantly raise Autism risk in a newborn baby. In 2002 Ball State University researchers led by Diana Wilkerson reported significantly higher Autism risk for women with prior abortion surgery, a finding that was NOT mentioned in the abstract (i.e. summary) section of their study.[2, Wilkerson]. In 1999 Professor Larry Burd and colleagues found that women with prior IAs tripled their odds of having newborns later diagnosed with Autism.[3, Burd] The total lifetime cost ( medical + non-medical + lost income ) for a U.S. citizen with Autism was estimated by Harvard U. Professor Michael Ganz to be $3.2 million.[6, Ganz]   http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/unborn-child-just-a-parasite-cutting-edge-science-shows-fetal-cells-heal-mo             DONATIONS - WE NEED AND APPRECIATE THEM!      THANK YOU!    For more information about the Pro-Life cause in Massachusetts or to get involved    please visit our website at massprolife.com.

A heartening start to 2012

Even though a non-election year is not usually that exciting, 2011 was an excellent year for pro-life! http://www.nationalrighttolifenews.org/news/2011/12/years-of-patient-pro-life-education-pay-off-in-2011/     Helen Cross explained in the MCFL News why embryonic stem cell research has had its day. Here is a positive stem cell research story, out of California no less.   http://rightwingnews.com/abortion/a-good-pro-life-hollywood-story/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rightwingnews%2FhGmL+%28Right+Wing+News%29     We can be proud of the Salvation Army in this country - a great almost-end-of-Christmas story. http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/salvation-army-usa-clashes-with-international-group-over-abortion/     I want to thank all of you who participated in the matching gift challenge. You have helped us to start off this very important year ready to work.   Best wishes to you from all of us - volunteers and staff - at Mass Citizens for a Joyous and Healthy New Year! Anne             DONATIONS - WE NEED AND APPRECIATE THEM!      THANK YOU!    For more information about the Pro-Life cause in Massachusetts or to get involved    please visit our website at massprolife.com.

As the Duchess said in Alice in Wonderland

We pro-lifers are keen political observers and participants because we know that politics is part of the process to restore the Culture of Life. Last night a good chunk of the country joined us to watch the results of the Iowa caucuses. Of course, pro-lifers are very fond of Rick Santorum!   We in Massachusetts wish Governor Romney would recognize the failings of state-controlled health care and come up with a better way to accomplish his laudable goals but we do not fault his pro-life position.   In the last few days we have had calls at the MCFL office from operatives of other campaigns trying to get us to criticize Romney's positions on life.   The governor's positions are pro-life and we feel confident that they will stay that way.   During the fall, national media called for interviews. This 11/11/11 article from the Wall Street Journal, about the Romney turning point in 2005, is an example of where we have referred these operative, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204505304577004352121240264.html     Here is the relevant part of the article:   "Mr. Romney as governor pressed forward with a health-care law that he saw as his legacy, a market-driven approach that was in vogue with many conservative thinkers at the time. Now, it appears he may have miscalculated: The Massachusetts health-care law remains a major burden on his quest for the Republican nomination.   Mr. Romney met with abortion-rights activists while running for governor in 2002. He assured them he would protect women's right to choose abortion and said he would neither expand nor restrict such a right as governor, according to Nicole Roos, chairwoman of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts' political-action committee. She adds that he said he didn't wish to be called "pro-choice" and didn't like the "pro-life" label, either.   A leading abortion foe, Anne Fox of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, says she didn't even bother to reach out to Mr. Romney during the 2002 campaign, presuming that he was no ally.   Both groups found a change in 2005. In July of that year, Mr. Romney vetoed legislation that would have widened access to the Plan B emergency-contraceptive pill, by requiring hospitals to offer it to all rape victims and allowing some state-approved pharmacists to sell it without prescription.   To Mr. Romney, this was a principled decision consistent with his pledge not to change Massachusetts law relating to abortion.   Ms. Roos of NARAL says that although Mr. Romney had made such a pledge orally, he had stated in the group's written questionnaire that he supported efforts to expand access to emergency contraception.   The day after the veto, Mr. Romney wrote in a Boston Globe op-ed piece that his convictions on the issue had "evolved," and declared "I am prolife"-embracing a label Ms. Roos says he had avoided as a candidate in 2002.   Ms. Fox of Citizens for Life says her antiabortion group began having regular contact with a Romney aide and through him asked if Mr. Romney's wife, Ann, would become an honorary chairwoman of its new capital campaign. She did so."   Ah, yes, the Duchess, "Tut, tut, child! Everything's got a moral, if only you can find it."   Let's hope 2012 continues as it started. Anne        DONATIONS - WE NEED AND APPRECIATE THEM!      THANK YOU!    For more information about the Pro-Life cause in Massachusetts or to get involved    please visit our website at massprolife.com.

THANK YOU!

Thanks to each of you who responded so generously to our matching gift challenge!   Saving lives in 2012 will be a huge responsibility. When we are able to print materials and do ads about the dangers of Doctor Prescribed Suicide., it will be because of your generosity.   If you have not yet donated this year, it is not too late to have your generous gift matched. http://www.masscitizensforlife.org/donate-now.html     Thank you and best wishes for a Joyous New Year!                                                                           Anne             DONATIONS - WE NEED AND APPRECIATE THEM!      THANK YOU!    For more information about the Pro-Life cause in Massachusetts or to get involved    please visit our website at massprolife.com

Get your dates in place

As you are marking your new 2012 Calendar, please note these important dates:   Jan 14: Open House for anyone who is thinking of speaking on the life issues. You are invited to the MCFL Office to hear current speakers present what they say and what it is like to be an MCFL Speaker. All are welcome, 9:30 am - noon. Please call 617-242-4199 X 230 to register.   Jan 23: Massachusetts Caucus, Kennedy Caucus Room, Russell Senate Office Builiding, Washinton DC, 9:30 am - 11:30 am. We will hear from Hadley Arkes, Dwight Duncan, Karen Cross, Jennifer Popik, Dan Avila, Thea Rossi-Barron, Michael New, and Michael Pakaluk. They are experts in areas affecting us - like the Scott Brown election and the Doctor Prescribed Suicide petition. Coffee and pastries provided   Jan 23: March for Life, noon to 3:00. The buses are filling up quickly. Check http://www.masscitizensforlife.org/ for bus information.   Jan 29: Assembly for Life, Faneuil Hall, 2pm - 4pm. Nationally known Wayne Cockfield, USMCR, who lost both legs and partial use of his hands on active duty, will speak about the dangers of the Doctor Prescribed Suicide petition. The Treblemakers from The Montrose School were so popular last year. They have agreed to sing again.   Feb 21: Student Lobby Day at the State House: meet legislators, learn the process, have a private tour.    Dec 31, 2011:  Last day for matching gift challenge.  I am so grateful to all who have given.  If you have not yet supported our life-saving efforts, please help right now, http://www.masscitizensforlife.org/donate-now.html   Thank you all!  Anne            DONATIONS - WE NEED AND APPRECIATE THEM!      THANK YOU!    For more information about the Pro-Life cause in Massachusetts or to get involved    please visit our website at massprolife.com.

Double your pro-life impact!

I have just received some wonderful news. A generous private donor has offered to match donations to Massachusetts Citizens for Life and to the tax-deductable MCFL Charitable Trust through Dec 31st.   Every gift given in the next five days will be doubled!   At the National Right to Life Convention this year, Fred Barnes stated, "Pro-lifers have captured the high moral ground. Fetuses have become babies."     In 2012 we will definitely fulfill our mission of protecting life at all stages of development. The death lobby has succeeded in getting its Doctor Prescribed Suicide aka "death with dignity" initiative petition on the ballot.     Unfortunately, most people are fooled by the language, "death with dignity" and, at first, think it is a good idea.     An extensive poll was released in Vermont on Dec 7th. It has not yet received much coverage, but this we know: When asked about "death with dignity", 78% of the people agreed with the concept. When asked about "physician assisted suicide", 64% agreed. When asked about "doctor prescribed suicide" only 54% agreed. That is still a majority but look how powerful a slight change of words can be! We still have 10 months to educate people using the right words.   We must raise doubt in the minds of voters so that they will vote "NO".   On November 13th we embarked on an amazing state-wide educational campaign to do just that. We will keep up the pressure right through November 6, 2012. It is an expensive challenge to provide all our regular life-saving activities as well as working to defeat the petition.   Please help to defeat doctor prescribed suicide with your generous year-end gift.     You are one of the 35,000 people who receive our emails. I hear from so many of you with praise and thanks. We know that most of you have never donated. Please recognize the huge job we have in 2012 and give us a generous start.   There has never been a better time to make your year-end gift and bring life, value, and dignity to all human being at all stages.      Thank you for your support for life! Anne         DONATIONS - WE NEED AND APPRECIATE THEM!      THANK YOU!    For more information about the Pro-Life cause in Massachusetts or to get involved    please visit our website at massprolife.com.