The respected researcher John Bockmann has called on the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) to revise its guidance on foetal pain to take account of the most up-to-date research showing that unborn babies feel pain much earlier than previously thought.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has adopted a strident pro-abortion position for years and has been reluctant to acknowledge the humanity of the unborn baby regardless of what the scientific evidence points to. In keeping with this position, the ACOG has continued to rely on outdated research claiming that unborn babies are incapable of feeling pain until "at least 24 weeks".
Bockmann, who co-authored a paper on foetal pain the Journal of Medical Ethics is challenging the ACOG to stop side-stepping the issue and instead acknowledge what the research is showing. In recent remarks directed at the ACOG he said: “Can a fetus feel something like pain before viability, perhaps even by 15 weeks’ gestation?”, and he added: “The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (@acog) has long said no, but increasing evidence suggests that the answer is yes. I’d like them to reconsider their stance.”
In the 2020 article, published in the Journal of Medical Ethics, Bockmann and co-author Professor Stuart Derbyshire claim there is now “good evidence” that the brain and nervous system, which start developing at 12 weeks gestation, are sufficient enough for the baby to feel pain.Â
Both authors contributed earlier this year to an online briefing on the subject hosted by the Oireachtas All-Party Life and Dignity Group.
A young mother from the US has shared the story about her “miracle” son who survived an abortion.
In a video posted on TikTok, she wrote: “I had an abortion but he was born anyways.”
The woman who became pregnant last year consumed the abortion pills given to her. The next morning she experienced bleeding and took it as proof the abortion had taken place. However, when she went for a recommended pregnancy test a few weeks later, she was shocked to discover it was positive.
Her doctor confirmed she was still pregnant and referred her for a surgical abortion. She couldn't afford the cost of the procedure and decided there and then she was going to keep her baby.
Her fortunate son was born last Christmas Eve. The abortion pills caused him to be born with a club foot, for which he is currently undergoing corrective surgery. Aside from that, he's a healthy and happy baby according to his mum.
Commenting on the entire experience, she said: “I love my kid, of course I do, I decided to have him, I could have still got the surgical abortion."
Disgraced R&B singer R. Kelly has been accused of forcing a minor to undergo an abortion. The musician who to date has sold more than 75 million records is also accused of sexual abuse, racketeering and bribery.Â
His trial is currently taking place in New York. Several of his accusers have spoken out, including one who claims he married singer Aaliyah Haughton when she was 15 years old so he could sign off on her abortion.
Kelly met Aaliyah when she was just 12 years old after her uncle who worked in the entertainment industry made the introduction. Kelly helped write and produce music for her, and was the executive producer of her debut album. Aaliyah, who became a hugely successful R&B artist in her own right, tragically died in a plane crash in 2001 at the age of 22.
If convicted in the trial underway in New York, Kelly faces life in prison. He also faces charges of sex-related crimes in the states of Illinois and Minnesota.
In an act of exemplary generosity, Polish athlete Maria Andrejczyk placed the silver medal she won at the recent Tokyo Olympics up for auction to raise funds for the parents of a baby boy to pay for his life-saving heart surgery.
Andrejczyk, who won the medal for javelin at the Olympics, introduced the auction on Facebook and explained that she wanted to raise money for eight-month-old Miłoszek Malysa, after learning of his parents' heartfelt pleas for help.
Miłoszek needed the equivalent of around $385,000 to cover the costs of the medical care and travel from Poland to the US for the operation. The family had already raised half of the funds and Andrejczyk hoped to raise the other half. In the end, she exceeded that goal!
The winner of the auction was the Polish convenience store Zabka who insisted that Andrejczyk keep her medal. Writing on Facebook, the company said: “We are moved by the beautiful and extremely noble gesture” and they added in the post that the company had “decided that the silver medal from Tokyo will stay with Ms. Maria.”
Mum-of-five Sarah Louise Dunn, 31, died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on April 11 last year, nearly four weeks after she had an abortion.
She had approached her GP at Elizabeth Street Surgery more than once after falling ill following the termination.
A panel of independent experts is likely to be called to determine whether the life of a young Blackpool mum could have been saved had she been treated sooner.
The PLC's e-card to RTÉ is a small but nonetheless important feature of a much bigger campaign to force the National Broadcaster to account for its biased coverage of the abortion issue.
The e-card simply and reasonably asks the Director General to explain why pro-life supporters should continue paying the licence fee given RTÉ's outrageously biased coverage.Â
THIRTEEN WEEKS on from the start of the campaign and still no response from the Director General! The refusal of Dee Forbes and RTÉ to give e-card senders the courtesy of a reply is fast becoming an issue in itself.
We're going to keep this campaign going until the Director General replies. There is an added urgency to the campaign given the egregious examples of bias on RTÉ in recent weeks, including the primetime screening of the pro-abortion film 'The 8th'.
Take 30 seconds to sign the e-card today if you haven’t done so already. And PLEASE, PLEASE share this link with family and friends.https://prolifecampaign.ie/stopthebias/
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.Â
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.
Raise funds and support mothers 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
Would you like to experience working with a pro-active Human Rights organisation?
If you would like, APPLY HERE to our exciting virtual  intern programme for students!
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.Â
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]
