Beating cancer with adult stem cells

You don't hear much about embryonic stem cell research anymore as no cures have materialized, but advances and treatments from ethical sources of stem cells continue on.

Watch Paul Wagle's story below to learn how stem cells from an umbilical cord helped him beat cancer. 

Committee hearing on Rape Survivor Child Custody Act goes well

On May 19th, the House Criminal Justice Committee heard testimony on H.B. 4481, the Rape Survivor Child Custody Act.  Besides testimony from Right to Life of Michigan representatives and an expert from domestic violence agencies, committee members watched Shauna’s compassion project story.  

A committee vote has not yet been scheduled but it should hopefully be soon. 

LEARN MORE ABOUT H.B. 4481

Testimony on Rape Survivor Child Custody Act

Right to Life of Michigan members and the general public have been introduced to Shauna Prewitt thanks to her courageous advocacy mission and the television ad and video produced by RLM, which aired in the past several weeks on statewide TV.  Shauna's story of conceiving a child through rape and then fighting back against her attacker's effort to assert parental rights prompted the introduction of House Bill 4481 in the Lansing last month.

Already, the bill is being lined up for action in the House Criminal Justice Committee this coming Tuesday, May 19, at 9:00 a.m.

H.B. 4481 would allow a rape survivor who becomes pregnant from assault to petition the family court to terminate the parental rights of her assailant under a "clear and convincing" evidence standard and without the necessity of a criminal conviction.  Current law provides for the termination of parental rights of a man who impregnates a woman via sexual assault if he is convicted of felony rape.  Unfortunately, felony rape convictions are difficult to obtain and require a legal standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt".  This bill would make the standard for termination of parental rights the same as for those who abuse or neglect their child.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RAPE SURVIVOR CHILD CUSTODY ACT

Late term abortion advocate Wendy Davis to speak at Planned Parenthood event in Michigan

Rendering of unborn baby at 20 weeks/via Baby Center

Today, abortion advocate Wendy Davis is scheduled to speak at Planned Parenthood of Mid and South Michigan’s annual luncheon.  Davis’ claim to fame was her filibuster as a Texas state senator against a law in Texas which banned abortions after 20 weeks.

The media fell in love with her pink running shoes and she became the Democratic nominee for governor in Texas, an election she lost handily. 

Her advocacy for late term abortion won her fame and now she speaks at pro-abortion events across the country. 

Planned Parenthood is America's leading abortion provider.  Learn more about their abortion agenda. 

U.S. House passes Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

On May 13th, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36) by a vote of 242 to 184.  This legislation would generally ban abortion after 20 weeks of fetal age (or 22 weeks of pregnancy) based on congressional findings that unborn children of that age are capable of feeling pain.

The measure passed in a 242-to-184 vote, with one member voting present. The bill dropped a provision in the original version that would have required women who became pregnant through rape to report their assault to law enforcement authorities to be eligible for an abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Under the new bill, such women would have to receive counseling or medical treatment at least 48 hours before having an abortion. In cases involving minors, abortion providers would have to alert the authorities for the girls’ protection, it says. The bill, known as the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, would also make it easier to sue a noncompliant abortion provider.

FULL STORY

ROLL CALL VOTE

Let's remember vulnerable human life during the National Day of Prayer

Today, May 7, is the National Day of Prayer. The first National Day of Prayer in 1952 invited people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. It is encouraging to know that every president since has signed a National Day of Prayer proclamation.

As we keep our nation in our thoughts, let's too, remember mothers facing unplanned pregnancies and their children preparing to be born. People compose a nation.  

A mother who considers abortion has the burden of a life or death decision. May we be the help that she needs. It is important to pray for all children, born and unborn, because the future of our nation depends on it.

"I felt like I live in a society that has gone mad"

Josh Brahm, a prolife advocate and President of Equal Rights Institute, recently visited a display at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry with members of his staff.  The display includes children who were miscarried at various stages of prenatal development and preserved.  In a moving blog post, Brahm describes their experiences and reactions to visiting this exhibit. 
   

My immediate emotional reaction upon entering the room was sadness. There was a seriousness to this room, and the design of the room was clearly intended to underline the seriousness of the exhibit. This isn’t a place to let your kids run free like they can at some of the other sections of the museum.

The youngest baby was only a few weeks old, and was very small. I took my time, spending several moments in front of each child. As I looked at the youngest embryos, I thought to myself that I could understand why a pro-choice person could see this part of the exhibit and still feel convinced that these early embryos aren’t morally significant. I certainly think they are, but it’s not because of the way they look. It’s because of what I believe about the nature of all humans, including the youngest of us.

It became harder for me to step into the shoes of a pro-choice person and defend abortion rights later in the exhibit though. Around the point where the baby in front of us was nine weeks old, it became clearer than anything that this is a little human, not an unorganized mass of developing tissue..... 

At Equal Rights Institute it’s a priority to us to be very careful with philosophy, and understand why the most philosophical pro-choice advocates believe what they believe. And yet, staring at these children, I felt like I live in a society that has gone mad.

FULL STORY

U.S. House votes to strike down D.C. law aimed at prolife groups

Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 228-192 to nullify pro-abortion legislation passed by the District of Columbia.  The pro-abortion legislation in question could force prolife organizations in the District of Columbia to hire pro-abortion employees. 

Opponents of the local law said it would force employers like churches, religious schools and anti-abortion organizations to violate their own religious beliefs and provide contraceptive coverage to their workers. They said it could also prevent such groups from acting against employees who privately undermine their employer's mission, such as by volunteering at abortion clinics.

"I stand here to defend the rights of religious institutions and pro-life companies to honor their faith and respect the sanctity of life," said Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo.

FULL STORY
  
ROLL CALL
     
NATIONAL RIGHT TO LIFE LETTER TO LAWMAKERS