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16th July 2021
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In this issue:

READ: China harvesting DNA from millions of pregnant women worldwide – Reuters report READ: (#1) Brave Dungiven mother takes issue with Boris Johnson over Northern Ireland’s abortion law (#2)

READ: (#gib) New study: Pro-life laws save lives (#3)

ACTION ALERT: Take a stand against RTÉ bias (#bias) - Order Leaflets Today! (#bias)

REGISTER NOW (#lb) : Loveboth Summer 5k Your Way to raise funds and support Mums and babies this summer. (#cby)

REGISTER NOW: PLC Network Workshop Series - Wednedsday 4th August (#cceve)

APPLY NOW: Virtual Internship with the PLC (#7)
China harvesting DNA from millions of pregnant women worldwide – Reuters report ()
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Reuters news agency has uncovered that a Chinese company connected to the military has been harvesting DNA from millions of unsuspecting pregnant women worldwide.

The report claims that the BGI Group has been harvesting “genetic data from millions of women for sweeping research” and claims China has been using the data to gain strategic economic advantages and to improve “population quality”.

The report also claims Chinese scientists used data harvested by BGI Group to trace genetic distinctions between Han Chinese (ethnic group native to China) and ethnic minorities, like the Uyghurs and Tibetans. The report suggests that Chinese scientists have sought to map how genetic variations in Uyghurs affected their reaction to different kinds of drugs, which is a deeply disturbing development given the ongoing cultural genocide that is taking place against the Uyghur population at the hands of the Chinese authorities.

The wilful refusal of the ruling political class in Ireland to challenge the Chinese government over its litany of human rights violations adds to the wrongs and persecutions taking place and emboldens those carrying them out.

It was disappointing to see the former Labour Party leader Ruairi Quinn refusing to criticise the Chinese government when interviewed last week. Instead, Mr Quinn paid tribute to the Chinese authorities and was quoted in The Irish Times, saying:

“I’m a dedicated European and a socialist, and in the Labour Party sense of that word, but I would be very slow to criticise other systems that have emerged, and that have emerged so successfully, as we have, and as the Chinese have, in the last 40 and 50 years, and I would have a great respect for how they have done that, mistakes and all, and I think they would have some respect for us. I would have no respect for anybody who would come into Ireland and start telling us how we should run our affairs.”

Watch report from Reuters here ([link removed]) about China’s harvesting of data from pregnant women worldwide
Brave Dungiven mother takes issue with Boris Johnson over Northern Ireland’s abortion law ()
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The Dungiven mother granted permission by the High Court in Belfast to intervene in challenge to the new abortion law in Northern Ireland has said she’s appalled at the way she and her daughter have been treated by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Northern Secretary Brandon Lewis, and the way they have gone about imposing abortion on the people of Northern Ireland.

Rosaleen McElhinney, whose daughter Cara Rose has Down syndrome voiced her upset and concern in The Irish News newspaper, where she talked about the discriminatory abortion law in Northern Ireland that permits abortion up to birth when an unborn baby is detected with Down syndrome or any other disability.

Ms McElhinney said: “It is bad enough to take action to allow others to engage in discriminatory and eugenic practices. It is something else for the British government to actually intervene on a devolved matter to take to themselves the right to commission discriminatory and eugenic practices because, very properly, the Northern Ireland health minister has refused to commission abortions on this basis.

“My daughter is shielded from the psychological scars of what the law says because she is too young to process their implications. But I know that at some point she will become aware and I am deeply concerned about the impact on the way she sees herself with respect to her own mental health. In this context, as a responsible mother, I can no longer sit back. I look forward to intervening in the upcoming case and I very much hope that the courts will strike down the 2021 Regulations. They have no place in Northern Ireland – or indeed anywhere else – in 2021.”

Rosaleen McElhinney deserves great credit and all our support for the bold and courageous way she is standing up for her daughter and for the rights of everyone with a disability born and unborn.

The court case is due to begin in October.
New study: Pro-life laws save lives ()
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Research authored by a team of researchers at the University of California San Francisco has found that abortion rates in areas where women live close to an abortion facility is approximately five times higher than abortion rates where the nearest abortion facility is a few hundred kilometres away.

The study analysed abortion data from 27 states in the US to determine the effect distance from an abortion facility has on abortion rates. The research which took account of other factors (demographic, economic etc) adds to the considerable body of academic research that reached the same conclusion, including research showing that abortion facility closures reduces the incidence of abortion.

It proves that pro-life efforts to prohibit abortion and close abortion facilities saves lives. We know for certain that the non-availability of abortion under the Eighth Amendment saved hundreds of thousands of lives and that the introduction of abortion here in 2019 has led to a 70% increase in abortions.

The latest research from the University of California will assist our ongoing efforts in Ireland, in stopping the expansion of abortion provision and in challenging government policy in this area.

Read the research paper here ([link removed])
Take a stand against RTÉ bias - Order Leaflets Today! (#1)
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Take a stand against RTÉ bias - sign the instant e-card here ([link removed])
As you may already be aware, the Pro Life Campaign are running a campaign to make sure that we hold our national broadcaster RTÉ to account for its glaringly one-sided coverage of the abortion issue.

We are asking like minded people to send an E-card to RTÉ, asking them to "Stop The Media Bias".

Thousands of cards have been sent already, but we need much much more to make a real impact.

Please help us spread the word by ordering your leaflets today. These can be given to friends, family and community, informing them of the campaign and encouraging them to send a card also.
Order Leaflets Today! ([link removed])
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Loveboth Summer 5k Your Way to raise funds and support Mums and babies this summer. ()
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Raise funds and support Mums and babies this summer.

Taking part is easy and fun. Run, cycle or swim, you decide. How and where you do the 5k is your choice. You may decide to do it with a group of friends or solo, it’s up to you!

Just remember to tell your family and friends about your plans and ask them to sponsor you.

Register today and receive your free LoveBoth T-Shirt and sponsorship pack
Register Here ([link removed])
Register Now for PLC Network Workshop Series - Wednedsday 4th August ()
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Register Now for PLC Network Workshop Series

The Topic is Letters to the Editor and How to Succeed – Wednedsday 4th August, 7.30PM – 8.30PM.

Our workshop series invites volunteers to share their knowledge, develop skills and receive futher education and training on right to life issues.

The event is free but participation is limited to 20 people.
Register Here ([link removed])
APPLY NOW - Virtual Internship with the PLC ()

Would you like to experience working with a pro-active Human Rights organisation?

If you would like, APPLY HERE ([link removed]) to our exciting virtual intern programme for students!
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Participants on the programme will have an opportunity to network with other young people and develop skills in advocacy, campaign management and project planning.

Internships run for one-week periods and are suitable for second level (Transition year or older) and third level students.

Each intern will do 4 hours supervised work each day and will be working on areas such as social media, contact with members of the movement nationwide, project planning and contributing to support work for women and their babies.

Internships are not paid, however expenses will be covered.

If you or a family member is interested, please complete the below form and we will be in touch with you presently. Placements are subject to availability.

Thank you!

Apply Now by filling in the application form ([link removed])
Follow us on social media!
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mailto:[email protected]
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Vital Signs is the e-newsletter of the Pro Life Campaign. We hope you and your families are keeping well in these unusual times. This email is to update you on what we have been working on recently, including news stories, project updates, and details of upcoming events. If you want to get in touch with us please do so by emailing [email protected]

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