The Right to Life of the Human Embryo

A serious challenge has arisen in an appeal to the Irish Supreme Court in respect of the right to life of three unimplanted human embryos. Irish Times article

In a statement to the Supreme court considering the fate of the three embryos Mr Donal O’Donnell SC representing the Attorney General and the Irish State, told the court that an embryo is not an “unborn” within the meaning of Article 40.3.3 of the Irish Constitution and that, in his opinion, the destruction of fertilised embryos prior to implantation in a woman’s womb is permitted under law. He also expressed the opinion that it was not the wish of the people, when passing the 1983 pro-life amendment, to protect the pre-implanted embryo.

Ironically Mr O’Donnell is supposed to be representing the interests of the unborn child for the state in a case involving a separated mother of two who was refused leave by the High Court to have the three frozen embryos released to her against the wishes of her estranged husband.

Despite the attempt by Mr O’Donnell to limit the scope of article 40.3.3 to embryos existing “in vivo”, the Irish constitution does not limit the term “unborn” in this way. The State therefore should not introduce limitations or try to create artificial divisions between one kind of human embryo and another. To do so constitutes a form of unjust discrimination. Once an embryo is brought into existence in whatever way this occurs a new human being exists and must be protected by law from that time.

It is also hard to understand why Mr. O’Donnell saw fit to make this statement on behalf of the Attorney General and the Irish State, when the Irish people by referendum rejected an amendment to the Constitution to limit legal protection to the child implanted in the womb, in 2002. Mr O’Donnell’s statement smacks more of an attempt at political compromise than a statement of fact.

The appeal, which is being heard by a panel of 5 Judges, The Hon. Mr. Justice John L. Murray, Chief Justice, The Hon. Mrs. Justice Susan Denham, The Hon. Mr. Justice Adrian Hardiman. The Hon. Mr. Justice Hugh Geoghegan. The Hon. Mr. Justice Nial Fennelly, has been adjourned and will be revisited later this month.

Population in the news again

In Britain, the chairman of the government's Sustainable Development Commission has said that people who have more than two children are 'irresponsible'. John Porritt feels very strongly about this and would like lowering the population to become the priority for green groups. As a campaigner, I would respectfully suggest that Mr Porritt read Steve Mosher's book Population Control which challenges the Malthusian myths that are still being spread by UN agencies - with disastrous consequences.

As the thoroughly unembarrassed father of seven children, I would respectfully ask Mr Porritt to mind his own business. Couples are perfectly capable of determining how many chidlren they can sensibly bring into the world without resort to contraception and abortion (advocated by Jonathan Porritt) and most definitely without his admonitions.

Jabrilla's story

Jabrilla English was 24 years old and heavily pregnant when the mother of her half-brother told her to have an abortion or leave her house. She left and gave birth two weeks later after seeking refuge in a homeless shelter in New York. Five years on, life is starting to look up for Jabrilla and she has hope for her future and that of her son, Elijah.

In spite of going through what Jabrilla describes as a 'nightmare' in order to bring her son into the world, she is refreshingly down-to-earth about the whole experience: "I’m not going to play victim and say that this or that is the reason why I am in the position I am in. You have to take responsibility," she told a reporter for the New York Times, "There were some things that I could not control. But I’m a mother, I have a son, and I’m no good to him if I’m not together mentally."

As the article points out, Jabrilla's struggle to raise her son is by no means over and she is receiving support through a New York Times charitable fund, which has enabled her to buy her son a bed so that they do not have to share a futon. But I can think of a certain powerful person in the U.S. whose mother struggled single-handedly to raise him and who did rather well for himself. Unfortunately, his policies will not allow other children like Elijah to live long enough to realise their potential.

Go Home! Make Babies!

I couldn't suppress a smile, reading this CNN story about a laudable project in Japan to encourage couples to have more children. Japan has one of the lowest birth rates in the world, well below replacement level and unlike most other countries with a looming underpopulation crisis, the authorities are attempting to turn things around. Workers at Canon are being encouraged to go home early twice a week to spend more time with their familes and, well, make babies. Well done, Japan.

Among the comments on the article I found this gem tagged Lionel

Think of it! Every baby is born a consumer: milk, wipes, diapers, clothing, toys---- and becomes a producer and a tax-payer. Where would our economy be today if had the 40 Million+ babies that have been aborted. Hats off to Japan!

h/t Standing on my Head

New Pro-life Resource

This new pro-life website produced and updated by EWTN looks set to be an excellent resource for campaigners and all those interested in the pro-life movement. It includes articles, video and sound clips, interviews and other excerpts from EWTN'S Pro-life broadcasts.