EUTHANASIA OF INFANTS


The Groningen Academic Hospital in the Netherlands has admitted to four "mercy killings" of terminally ill newborns. The hospital has revealed it carried out four such mercy killings in 2003, and reported all cases to government prosecutors. There have been no legal proceedings against the hospital or the doctors. The hospital also permitted adult euthanasia. Roman Catholic organizations have reacted with outrage to the announcement, and U.S. Euthanasia opponents contend the proposal shows the Dutch have lost their moral compass. "The slippery slope in the Netherlands has descended already into a vertical cliff," said Wesley J. Smith, a prominent California-based critic, in an e-mail to The Associated Press. The Family Research Council reacted as follows: "A society or culture that does not respect the innate dignity of every human life inevitably places value judgments on the worth of an individual's life. To decide that it is better to kill a person, regardless of how sick or helpless, than to care for that person is unconscionable. Unless this policy is rejected by the international community, the culture of death will have taken one more step into the modern world.” Sources:

http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WA04L03#
Http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory

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AID 2 AFRICA - ANGOLA OUTREACH

This year, Aid to Africa pulled its resources together and assembled a team of ten people. Their destination was one of the most war-torn areas of Angola , the Cuando Cubango province. The objective of the trip was to offer medical assistance and more importantly, to preach the life-saving gospel of Jesus Christ. Angola is a country devastated by civil war. The recent war that raged from 1992 to 1994 cost the lives of half a million children. The roads are terrible and it is estimated that there are up to 10 million land mines still polluting the soil. The people live in abject poverty and in the most awful conditions but despite this, the people are warm and friendly. What is more heartbreaking than the lack of medicine or food is the state of spiritual desolation that these people are living in. Passing into Angola , our goal was to reach Menongue, about 350 kilometers away, within eight hours. The land we passed through was beautiful and untouched, except for the occasional village. There was no sign of wildlife anywhere, except for some birds. The starved population has hunted down and killed the animals for food. The roads were so badly damaged that after twenty-six hours of driving, we finally reached our intended destination at Menongue. The next two weeks had us traveling to surrounding refugee camps and villages as well as working in the city. Hundreds of people would sit and wait for the clinics to start, some wanting to be examined, and the rest taking the opportunity to watch every move we made. Due to the unsanitary conditions they live in, we saw a lot of unusual and very advanced pathology, which

affected especially the children. In total we treated over 2000 patients for dental abscesses, parasites, dermatitis, malaria, malnutrition and HIV testing. Perhaps one of the reasons these areas seem so badly hit by disease is the lack of infrastructure. One has to walk for hours to get to a clinic or hospital, which does not have any medicines and the local pharmacy in the city of Menongue , is a mud building with a dirt floor which sells poor quality drugs at ridiculous prices. Menongue, which used to be a thriving city, now has ruined buildings, no running water and no

electricity. Sewerage runs through the streets and litter covers most of the city. The city has a vehicle graveyard from the war and the roads have huge craters lined with mangled wrecks. Landmine warnings are everywhere and children and women wash their clothes and swim in streams surrounded by deadly mine-fields. Huge areas are rendered useless. The people live in small villages and grow subsistence crops, usually cassava or sorghum which they pound to flour. Their food is not nutritious and so deficiencies are common. This outreach also offered an excellent opportunity to spread the gospel. Every day before opening the clinic, we'd have a devotion and after the clinic, we would have a film and a service. Many Portuguese Bibles were distributed amongst the people. On our return journey, an opportunity arose for us to have an impromptu clinic on a tank wreck by the side of the road. Two men journeying to Menongue passed us while we stopped to take some photos of a Russian tank wreck. We noticed that one of the men had a severe dental abscess. This man had been suffering for months and had finally saved some money which he hoped would buy him some relief from his pain and discomfort. His efforts would have been fruitless, as the medication available in the city was of poor quality, very expensive and would not have been the cure he required for his ailment. He needed to have the tooth extracted. By divine providence he was met on this road

by nine strangers from a foreign land. This man was helped not only with his physical need but his own experience became a testimony of God's knowledge and response to each and every one of our needs. Minus some teeth and with a handful of pills he made a U-turn and started the journey home. We also visited a Bushman camp, but they'd recently abandoned the small village and moved on. Eventually, 40 kilometers further on, we found them on the side of the road. We were able to examine and dispense medicine to them. Because they live in such a close community, almost all of them had the same diseases.

Before leaving them, we had a brief service explaining the broad and narrow way. It was fantastic to reach out to this small tribe, who live their lives in astonishing beauty and poverty. The next day, we left for home.

Johan Claassen - Aid To Africa

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STEM CELL RESEARCH SCOREBOARD

In February, the UN assembly voted to ban all forms of human cloning including the cloning of human embryos for stem cell research. This decision followed almost four years of rigorous debate during which the medical, scientific and ethical merits of cloning were extensively discussed. The debate over cloning has fallen into two categories; namely the use of cloning techniques for human reproduction and secondly for the treatment of medical conditions. Most countries appear to agree that cloning for reproductive purposes ought to be banned. Disagreements tend to center around the cloning techniques being employed for the treatment of medical conditions. While a variety of cloning techniques are now available for the purpose of medical research, the specific source of contention is the cloning of human embryos for research. Some scientists promote embryonic stem cell research as a potential source of cures for certain medical conditions. Embryonic stem cell research necessitates the destruction of human embryos for the sole purpose of harvesting stem cells. The specific cloning technique used for this purpose is commonly, though incorrectly, referred to as therapeutic cloning. The argument over the use of this cloning technique has raged on despite the fact that an alternative method that does not require the use of embryos is available and has produced some remarkable successes so far. Recent advances made in the use of adult stem cells, which is ethical, increasingly show cures for various diseases can be achieved with this technique. Adult stem cells are easily obtainable from the umbilical cord, bone marrow and other organs with very little risk posed to the human donor. In its declaration, the UN assembly stated that human cloning for medical treatment is incompatible with human dignity and the protection of human life.

The UN went on further to “ban all genetic engineering that may be contrary to human dignity” and urged countries to adequately protect human life in the application of the life sciences. The vote served as a clear confirmation that there is no justifiable medical or scientific basis that warrants the creation of human life for the purposes of destroying it.

Dr. Bola Omoniyi Pharmaceutical Department

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ORISON PICTURES PRESENTS

First on the What’s Hot list is a 45 minute pro-life video called “All About Abortion”. It follows the development of the fetus, and using medical and scientific evidence, proves beyond a shadow of a doubt, that life starts at conception. The video addresses the danger of using abortion to solve social problems. As the video also includes “Hard Truth” and a documented abortion, the copyrights are still being processed and the video should be available soon. The second production is a short promotional on Life Child which includes progress made over the past year and the experiences of some volunteers who have worked in the centers. It will be used for promoting the project and raising funds. In the future our prospects involve a documentary and promotional of Aid to Africa 's outreach to Angola , a Home Based Care promotional, Euthanasia arguments and answers, Cloning and Stem-cell Research, and most importantly an update on the AIDS Against the Family. This revised version will contain more information on the progression of HIV and go in-depth on the effect of lifestyle on the family structure. Very positive results on our previous productions, particularly “In Your Face” have shown that the video medium is a powerful and effective tool.

The Orison Team

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LIFEPLACE - A HAVEN IN DURBAN

Pickering Street has been a place where drugs, prostitution, and violence have been the norm rather than the exception. Here God has raised up ‘ Life Place ’ as a light to shine in the darkness. Life Place is a center which reaches out to this afflicted population by helping them to find meaning and get insight into what the ‘good’ life is all about. Life Place is where girls in the sex trade can come to find rest and to vent their feelings, concerns, and frustrations. It’s a place where they are provided with assistance, counseling services, as well as advocacy, and linking them to

pregnancy crisis programs. Their response has been awesome! Since it’s conception in January 2005, Life place has effected the lives of more than 200 people working on the streets. Many girls have been saved from a life of prostitution and the pimps are also being reached. Some of them are in the process of rehabilitation. These are the words of one of the girls who has left the ‘sex business: “I will never go back to that evil life!” “I have been through a lot, but thank God for Life Place . It has been my way to salvation. To God be the glory!”

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LEGAL CORNER

A history of victories in the Constitutional and High Courts of SA motivates the legal team to continue the "good fight” on a number of issues. On 4 April 2005 DFL submitted an amicus brief to the Constitutional Court on the issue of same-sex marriages. The Crystal Osler case (a girl (18) whose baby was born alive but subsequently died after an unsuccessful, illegal abortion performed at an abortion clinic) is still in process in the Durban High Court. DFL also instituted action on behalf of a nurse who was dismissed on grounds of her conscientious objection to the abortion procedure. Oral submissions were made to Parliament on the Children's Bill with regards to corporal punishment, minors' access to abortion and contraceptives and HIV testing in children.

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SPONSOR AN ORPHAN

Operation Life Child has launched a new website introducing our orphans to the world.

Read all about the children, their caregivers and the difference that is being made in their lives by the love and support that they are receiving from DFL.

Visit us at www.doctorsforlifeinternational.com

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MEDICAL MARIJUANA OUTLAWED

DFL, applauds the decision of the US Supreme Court which outlawed the use of marijuana for medical purposes in the United States . Even though DFL does not oppose continued clinical research into the uses of “Medical Marijuana”, science has clearly proved the adverse effects of using crude marijuana. DFL condones every effort made to ensure that medicines are effective, safe and scientifically validated and that they are free from pro-drug politics which is being promoted under the guise of “medicine”. DFL is happy that the US Supreme Courts' pronouncement supports the judgement made by the South African Constitutional Court which banned the use of Marijuana. The Constitutional Court based it's decision on scientific evidence supplied by DFL to the court in 2001. DFL submitted expert medical evidence in the Prince case where the ban on smoking marijuana for religious purposes was challenged in the Constitutional Court . The evidence presented showed that the tar content of one joint of Cannabis is the equivalent of four tobacco cigarettes, and the carbon monoxide produced and the damage done to the airways by one joint is the equivalent of ten tobacco cigarettes. The evidence also demonstrates that Cannabis smokers have a 9-1O time's higher risk of developing lung cancer. On this scientific evidence the Constitutional Court ruled that the smoking of marijuana should remain illegal in South Africa . The US Supreme Court refused on Monday to sanction the use of marijuana for medical purposes by a vote of six to three. The court ruled that even though “medical marijuana” is allowed in ten states, users can still be prosecuted under federal law.

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MEMBER PROFILE



Dr. Helena Hendriks was born in Worcester in the Western Cape . She qualified at the University of Stellenbosch with a MBCHB degree. Dr. Hendriks is currently involved in the primary health care sector but she is considering pediatrics as her field of speciality. She says she enjoys interacting with people and having the knowledge to be able to help them in her own small way. She is concerned about the shortage of medication and lack of specialist treatment in the rural areas. As a member of DFL, Dr. Hendriks believes doctors need to play a major role in the prevention, education and treatment of illnesses such as AIDS. Her advice to aspiring doctors is to remember that the reward of a smile on a patients face when they feel better is far greater than earning a top salary. Your function is to serve and although modern medicine advances everyday, it is God who performs the miracles.

By Dr H. Hendriks

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IN THE NEWS

DFL TIP OFF - PAYS OFF

The Commercial Branch of Durban SAPS have arrested and started proceedings against a Durban doctor, Dr Vikash Nundlall, a nurse, and two employees. They have been charged contrary to section 2 of the Abortion Act with an offence which attracts a penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment. The doctor was also charged with an offence contrary to the Medicines Act, following the illegal use of drugs including the drug Misoprostil, otherwise known as Cytotec, which is widely used in South Africa to procure abortions contrary to the manufacturer's recommendations. The Police operation followed information given to DFL in the wake of the publicity surrounding the launch of their civil action on behalf of the Durban North schoolgirl who was the victim of a 28 week abortion at the Durban Rose Clinic run by Dr Nundlall on the 28 February 2004 . Since passing the information on to the Police last November, DFL have cooperated closely in the investigation.

WOMAN DON’T DESERVE ABORTION

The Honorary Chair of Feminists for Life (FFL), Patricia Heaton, was recently drawing attention to the fact that women deserve better than abortion. FFL's message is that abortion is a sign that our society has failed to meet the needs of women. Merely talking of the horrors of abortion is not enough. Women in need of help must be reassured that there is a place they can turn to. In addition to all the good work they do in preventing abortion, FFL was also the premier feminist group on the frontlines trying to protect the life of Terri Schiavo.

Source: Family Research Council

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THOUGHTS TO PONDER

GOD’S MESSAGE THROUGH EVERYTHING
Daniel 5:5-7

We live in a time where the world is in need of men and women who are professional in their work and live close to God. Such is the life of excellence that we find in Daniel. People like Daniel can hear God speaking through everything that is transpiring in the world around us and can give guidance to their societies and leaders. Belshazzar required a man who could interpret the writing on the wall. He needed to get God's message in the matter. Maybe amongst his wise men there were those who could have interpreted the incident from a social perspective and told him whether the hand belonged to a rich or a poor person. Others, perhaps from a political perspective, could have told him whether the hand belonged to a black, white, Asian or coloured person. Consequently they would have interpreted the message behind the writing from a social or political perspective. Daniel was not part of Belshazzar's worldly and idolatrous feasts, he was in the world but not of the world. Even today God needs Daniels. Being a Christian should not mean not being professional in our work. Many people try to explain major events e.g. the AIDS epidemic, the twin towers or the genocide in Rwanda and Burundi from these different perspectives. They are not necessarily wrong in what they say. Take for instance the AIDS epidemic: Social factors like poverty may play a role in its spread and as professionals we should be able to address it. But at the same time we should be able to tell the world what Gods is saying through these events. In spite of the role of other factors, the fact remains that the increase in sexual immorality remains the main cause for the spread of AIDS. The leaders of this world need men and women of God who, through this epidemic can call mankind to respect His moral standards, principles and laws and to return to Him.

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