Unborn Babies Cry
As we investigate the life of the unborn, we continue to find evidence that babies in utero share characteristics with their newborn siblings. A recent study even found babies in their mothers’ wombs actually cry.
The study was carried out to assess the effects of exposure to tobacco and cocaine on fetal response to noise and movement. The unborn babies were startled enough to begin crying. This was seen on ultrasound, and recorded on video.
The researchers describe “an initial exhalation movement associated with mouth opening and tongue depression, followed by a series of three augmented breaths, the last breath ending in an inspiratory pause followed by an expiration and settling.” Anyone who has ever seen a baby cry can recognize this for what it is: The startled cry of a baby.
In the past, four behavioral states have been recognized in unborn babies that are comparable to those of newborns: 1F (quiet sleep), 2F (active state), 3F (quiet awake) and 4F (active awake). State 5, or crying, was not considered to have a fetal correlate. The researchers excitedly report that “This is the first report/video documenting these behaviors and suggest[ing] the possibility of a state 5F.”
Is anyone — aside from those who would dehumanize the unborn — really surprised that unborn babies can cry?
See the Source:J.L. Gingras, E. A.Mitchell, K. E. Grattan, “Fetal homologue of infant crying,” The SIDS CARE Center, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA, Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2005 Sep; 90 (5): F415-8, PMID:15857876 [PubMed-indexed for MEDLINE, http://fn.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/adc.2004.062257/DC1; http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15857876&query_hl=1
World Vision and HIV/AIDS
Many people of good will support the Christian charity World Vision, which does much good work in poor areas of the world. Unfortunately, World Vision also promotes condom use, which is both inherently destructive and also ends up worsening the very problems it is supposedly intended to solve. Where condoms are promoted, risky sexual activity increases, thus spreading HIV and illegitimacy even faster. In response to a question from a donor, a World Vision representative wrote in November, “World Vision maintains a balanced ABC approach (abstinence, being faithful, and condom use) and places primary importance on values-based abstinence education and faithfulness in marriage. However, in targeting high-risk groups (those who cannot or will not practice abstinence and faithfulness), as well as people living with HIV/AIDS, World Vision acknowledges the importance of condom use.” Those who believe that Christian charities should promote abstinence and being faithful only should keep in mind that, as World Vision itself says, “‘World Vision programs include appropriate information on condom use as a means to reduce risks and save lives.”
For More Information: see http://www.wvi.org/wvi/home.htm
Victory in Peru
In response to a petition filed by the Association for the Struggle Against Corruption Without Compromise, the courts of Lima, Peru, granted an injunction to stop distribution of the morning-after pill in Peru. This means all health authorities must stop the distribution of the morning-after pill until it is determined that it is not an abortifacient.
Health Ministry officials say they will appeal the ruling, but Jose Luis Garrido-Lecca of the Anti-Corruption group feels there is enough evidence showing the morning-after pill is an abortifacient to prohibit its sale.
The ruling comes after a long struggle against distribution of the morning-after pill in Peru, Peruvians have protested against its sale, saying that the action violates the country’s constitution, which protects life from conception.
See the Source: “Court Injunction Stops Morning After Pill Distribution in Peru,” LifeSiteNews, 6 September 2005, http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2005/sep/05090605.html
China Baby Control
The Chinese government continues its population control policy, which is scheduled to continue through the mid-21st century.
Coercive fines are the main enforcement mechanism, although reports of local officials using physical coercion to ensure compliance continue, even though this practice violates Chinese law.
The severe gender imbalance resulting from the population control policy has grown worse over the past two decades. The Chinese government has established a commission to draft legislation to criminalize sex-selective abortion.
See the Source: “Executive Summary and lists of Recommendations,” Congressional Executive Commission on China, 2005 Annual Report.
