PRINCETON, NJ (February 2, 2009) -- Of seven actions Barack Obama has taken during the early days of his presidency, five are supported by large majorities of Americans.

:: Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new poll conducted by a research institute that surveys how abortion affects women finds 85 percent of Americans say negative emotional problems after an abortion are common or very common. Several post-abortion researchers discussed the poll at a recent forum.

The Family Research Council held a discussion forum on Thursday featuring top researchers from across the country who discussed how abortion adversely affects women'<<Selection in Document>>s mental health.

They focused considerable time discussing a new poll sponsored by the Elliot Institute and conducted by DialingServices.com, a firm that arranges automated phone polls.

The survey asked several different questions about whether women face negative problems after an abortion and it found even 60 percent of those who say they are "pro-choice" also believe post-abortion emotional problems are common or very common.

Only 15 percent of those polled believed that abortion generally makes women's lives better while almost 55 percent believe it generally makes women’s lives worse. As expected, pro-life advocates were more likely to say abortion makes women's lives worse while abortion backers say better.

Men were more likely than women to say that abortion makes women's lives worse.

Just 12 percent of respondents said abortion has little impact on women's lives and another 18 percent were unsure.

When negative emotional reactions occur, 84% believe the reactions are moderately to very severe.

The poll relied on a scale of 1 to 9 to ask respondents how many women suffer problems after an abortion. Only 19 percent marked 4 or less to show that they thought fewer women had problems while 34 percent marked 9 to show they thought all women had emotional problems after an abortion. Some 65 percent marked 6 or higher.

Women were more likely than men to say that higher numbers of women suffered from emotional problems after an abortion.

Using the same 1 to 9 scale to mark how severe the problems are that women have after an abortion, almost 85 percent ranked the mental health problems following an abortion a 5 or higher.

Women were more likely than men to rank the problems a 7 or higher, but also more likely to rank them lower as men were more likely to call the mental health problems moderate.

Those who have the least affiliation with either a pro-life or pro-choice view, tend to have a significantly more negative view of abortion's effects than those who are pro-choice, but not as negative as for those who are pro-life.

Related web sites:
View the poll results at http://downloads.frc.org/EF/EF08J06.pdf

:: BIOETHICS NEWS AND ISSUES...

British High Court Hears Debbie Purdy's Assisted Suicide Case, No Ruling Yet
London, England (LifeNews.com) -- The British High Court this week heard the case of a woman who wants prosecutors to reveal when they will charge someone with participating in an assisted suicide. Debbie Purdy wants to travel to Switzerland to kill herself at a euthanasia center and doesn't want her family charged when they return.

Schwarzenegger Signs Bill That Will Cause Deaths of Patients Via Dehydration
Sacramento, CA (LifeNews.com) -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is drawing condemnation from pro-life advocates who say he was wrong to sign a bill that puts vulnerable patients at risks and has physicians promoting suicide. The measure didn't legalize assisted suicide but contained suicide-promoting provisions pro-life groups opposed.

Nonpartisan Group Labels Barack Obama's Stem Cell Research Ads Misleading
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The misinformation and misleading nature of Barack Obama's ads on stem cell research was too much for one leading nonpartisan institute. The FactCheck web site run by the University of Pennsylvania, which reviews political ads and debates, says Obama's ads are inaccurate.

Washington Group Airs First Ads Against Assisted Suicide, Feature Martin Sheen
Olympia, WA (LifeNews.com) -- The leading group in Washington battling against the November ballot measure to legalize assisted suicide has launched its first set of radio ads. The spots feature actor Martin Sheen, a pro-life Democrat known for his role as the president in the popular television drama West Wing.

New McCain Ad Refutes Barack Obama's Misleading Stem Cell Research Ad
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The campaign of John McCain and Sarah Palin has released a new radio ad designed to refute the misleading claims of a recent attack commercial from Barack Obama. The Obama ad falsely claims McCain and Palin don't support stem cell research to help patients.

British Woman’s Challenge to Assisted Suicide Guidelines Starts This Week
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A British woman’s case begins at the England High Court to force a decision on whether she can force prosecutors to reveal when they will charge someone with participating in an assisted suicide.

Ethical Embryonic Stem Cell Research Alternative Crosses Another Hurdle
Boston, MA (LifeNews.com) -- An alternative to embryonic stem cell research that pro-life advocates have hailed as ethical has passed another hurdle in its effectiveness. Scientists first created iPS cells less than a year ago and they excited pro-life groups because the direct reprogramming process to create them doesn't destroy human life.

Wisconsin Pro-Life Group Worried Court Ruling Promotes Assisted Suicides
Madison, WI (LifeNews.com) -- A Wisconsin pro-life group is concerned that a state appeals court ruling could pave the way for financial incentives for family members to encourage loved ones to commit suicides. The case involves a decision allowing family members to obtain a person's inheritance after he killed himself.

Barack Obama Stem Cell Research Ad Falsely Promises Alzheimer's Cure
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The radio ad the Barack Obama campaign is running that falsely accuses John McCain of opposing stem cell research and misleads listeners on the best hope for diabetes patients has another problem. The ad promises cures for Alzheimer’s even though leading scientists say the disease likely won't benefit.

Barack Obama Stem Cell Research Ad Ignores Best Diabetes Hope: Adult Cells
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Barack Obama is running a misleading radio ad on the issue of stem cell research -- falsely accusing presidential candidate John McCain of voting against it. The ad, which features a mother of a child with juvenile diabetes, also ignores how adult stem cell research provides the most hope for patients.

John McCain Campaign Calls Barack Obama Stem Cell Research Ad Misleading
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The campaign of John McCain is calling a new radio ad the Barack Obama camp is airing "incredibly misleading." News of the radio ad, which is airing in a handful of battleground states, first surfaced on Monday and now more details about the ad are coming to light.

Washington Euthanasia Backers Promise $1M to Legalize Assisted Suicide
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Backers of euthanasia promise to spend as much as $1 million on making Washington the next state to legalize assisted suicide. The group that sponsored Oregon's first-in-the-nation law has already put in over $300,000 for the ballot measure and plans to invest twice as much in the next 40 days.

Leading Embryonic Stem Cell Researcher Shifts Focus to Ethical Alternatives
Madison, WI (LifeNews.com) -- Wisconsin scientist James Thomson is considered the father of embryonic stem cell research for isolating the first embryonic stem cell in 1998. Now comes the news that Thomson's two research companies are merging and planning to focus their energies on stem cells that don't involve the destruction of human life.

Barack Obama Campaign Airs Misleading McCain Ad on Stem Cell Research
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- It appears the Barack Obama campaign has released a new radio ad bashing presidential candidate John McCain on stem cell research. The ad claims McCain has held up stem cell research even though the Arizona senator has repeatedly voted for it.

Fake Cloning Scientist Hwang Woo-Suk May Get Embryonic Stem Cell Patent
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Hwang Woo-suk, the embattled scientist who became an international laughingstock when he admitted he faked all of his embryonic stem cell research successes, may get a grant to patent embryonic stem cells from the Australian government.

Michael J. Fox to Campaign in NH Senate Race on Stem Cell Research
Concord, NH (LifeNews.com) -- Actor Michael J. Fox came under fire in previous elections for misleading ads making it appear pro-life lawmakers oppose all forms of stem cell research when they just oppose the kind that kills unborn children and has never helped patients. Fox is back for the 2008 elections.

Australia Assisted Suicide Advocate Caren Jenning Kills Herself to Avoid Jail
Canberra, Australia (LifeNews.com) -- Assisted suicide advocate Caren Jenning has taken her own life rather than go to jail following a decision finding her guilty of manslaughter. Jenning was charged in a controversial euthanasia-murder case when she and her friend pleaded guilty in a New South Wales Supreme Court to murdering Graeme Wylie.

Florida Disabled Woman in Family Legal Battle Like Terri Schiavo Dies
Okeechobee, FL (LifeNews.com) -- A Florida woman who was the center of a family legal battle in the same way as Terri Schiavo has died. The case involved 57-year-old Karen Weber, who doctors claim had been in a partial vegetative state since December, when she suffered a stroke.

Advocates Want Montana Courts to Legalize Assisted Suicide by Judicial Fiat
Helena, MT (LifeNews.com) -- Not able to get their way in the legislatures or voting booths in most states, assisted suicide advocates are increasingly turning to the courts to push their agenda. Montana is becoming the latest battleground and language in its state constitution calling for a right to privacy could help their cause.

New McCain Statement on Stem Cell Research Shows More Pro-Life Movement
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The campaign of presidential candidate John McCain has released a new statement on his position on stem cell research funding that has some observers saying it shows the senator continues to move in a pro-life direction on key bioethics issues.

Canada Parole Board Allows Euthanasia Offender Robert Latimer to Move to BC
Ottawa, Canada (LifeNews.com) -- The National Parole Board has issued a ruling allowing Robert Latimer, the man who murdered his disabled daughter by forcing her into the cab of his truck and letting exhaust fumes kill her, to move. Latimer has been on day parole in Ottawa and he will be allowed to move to British Columbia.

Pope Benedict XVI Urges Catholics to Oppose Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide
Lourdes, France (LifeNews.com) -- Pope Benedict XVI reminded Catholics to oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide in a Mass he conducted in France on Monday. He urged people to accept death "at the hour chosen by God," rather than succumb to the pressure or temptation of taking one's own life or that of another.

John McCain Ad Responds to Biden Attack on Sarah Palin on Stem Cell Research
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The campaign of presidential candidate John McCain has responded to attacks on his running mate Sarah Palin with a new ad touting his support for stem cell research. Palin came under attack from pro-abortion vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden claiming she doesn't support the science.

Victoria Parliament in Australia Reject Bill to Legalize Assisted Suicide
Melbourne, Australia (LifeNews.com) -- The parliament of the Australian state of Victoria has rejected a measure that would have legalized assisted suicide there. The vote comes at the same time as the body is considering a bill to officially legalize abortions, even though they have been allowed across the island nation for years.

Obama Campaign Furthers Attack on McCain, Palin on Stem Cell Research
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The Barack Obama campaign on Wednesday furthered the attack Joe Biden made on John McCain and Sarah Palin over the issue of stem cell research. On Tuesday Biden claimed Palin isn't truly concerned about disabled people because she opposes embryonic stem cell research.

Alaska Woman Won't be Starved to Death Thanks to Pro-Life Law Firm's Help
Anchorage, AK (LifeNews.com) -- A leading pro-life law firm has stepped in and helped save the life of an Alaska woman who was in danger of becoming a euthanasia victim. The case involved what is becoming a growing and disturbing trend -- with doctors and hospital staff deciding a patient is too far gone and removing a patient's life support.

Joe Biden Slams Sarah Palin on Down Syndrome Son, Stem Cell Research
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Joe Biden, Barack Obama's pro-abortion running mate, is coming under fire for comments he made today attacking vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. After attacking her on abortion, Biden then slammed Palin on the birth of her son, who has Down syndrome.

Brother of Potential Euthanasia Victim Janet Rivera Allowed to Become Guardian
Fresno, CA (LifeNews.com) -- The family of potential euthanasia victim Janet Rivera has won again as a local court has allowed Michael Dancoff, her brother, the become the permanent conservator. Rivera, of Sanger, California, was denied food and water for 11 consecutive days in the same manner as Terri Schiavo.

Nation's Catholic Bishops Offer New Print Ads on Abortion, Stem Cell Research
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The nation's Catholic bishops are offering dioceses and others new print ads that cover abortion and bioethics issues like stem cell research. The Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is offering the ads for churches and local groups to use at no cost.

Florida Legal Battle Involves Life and Death Debate Similar to Terri Schiavo
Okeechobee, FL (LifeNews.com) -- A legal battle is brewing in southern Florida pitting a disabled woman’s husband against her family in a fight over whether or not to take her life. The battle is similar to the one the family of Terri Schiavo faced to prevent her husband from subjecting her to a painful starvation and dehydration death.

Republican Party Platform Calls for Ban on Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Minneapolis, MN (LifeNews.com) -- The Republican party platform committee has released a platform that contains some of the strongest pro-life language in the history of the party. Looking at bioethics issues, it also strengthens the language on stem cell research by calling for a ban on not just funding of it but of the unethical science in general.

Embryonic Stem Cell Research Racks Up Another Failure, Immune System Issues
Palo Alto, CA (LifeNews.com) -- Embryonic stem cell research presents a host of moral and ethical concerns for pro-life advocates because it involves the destruction of human life. However, the science has never advanced to the point it can be used in humans because it has a myriad of efficacy issues.

Researchers Make More Stunning Advances With Embryonic Stem Cell Alternative
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Scientists continue to make more stunning advances with direct reprogramming -- an embryonic stem cell research alternative that pro-life advocates hail as moral and ethical. In what some have called a "groundbreaking advance," three genes were added to pancreatic cells within living mice, and this was enough to directly change the cells into insulin-secreting cells.

California Bill Promoting Suicide Almost to Governor, Pro-Life Group Worries
Sacramento, CA (LifeNews.com) -- A California pro-life group that is leading the charge against a bill to encourage doctors to promote suicide is worried that the State Assembly is about to send the measure to the governor. Though the bill doesn't legalize assisted suicide it does enough to worry the California Pro-Life Council.

Euthanasia Opponent Worries Washington Will Approve Assisted Suicide
Olympia, WA (LifeNews.com) -- A leading euthanasia opponent says the pro-life, medical and disability rights communities need to get engaged in the battle against a state measure that could legalize assisted suicide in Washington. If they wait any later to get energized, Alex Schadenberg says it may be too late.

Washington Poll Finds Strong Support for Assisted Suicide Ballot Proposal
Olympia, WA (LifeNews.com) -- A new poll of Washington state voters finds strong support for a November ballot proposal that would make it the second in the nation to legalize assisted suicide. The polling results should serve as a motivation for pro-life, medical and disability rights groups to work overtime to educate voters.

Barack Obama Would Reverse President Bush's Stem Cell Research Policy
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Voters can count on a President Barack Obama to expand abortions more than ever before with taxpayer funding, pro-abortion judges and overturning state pro-life laws. But they can also count on him to reverse President Bush's protections on embryonic stem cell research.

Family of Disabled Patient Janet Rivera Gets More Good News From Local Court
Fresno, CA (LifeNews.com) -- The family of a disabled woman who almost became a victim of euthanasia in the same way as Terri Schiavo won another victory in court on Thursday. Michael Dancoff, brother of Janet Rivera of Sanger, is now in the process of obtaining permanent conservatorship of his sister.

Embryonic Stem Cell Research Backers Worry John McCain Will Change View
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Backers of making taxpayers fund embryonic stem cell research are concerned presidential candidate John McCain would change his position on the issue if he becomes president. That's exactly what pro-life groups hope will happen -- that McCain will see alternatives as so successful funding isn't needed.

Missouri Legal Battle Against Embryonic Stem Cell Research Funding in October
Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) -- A legal battle pro-life advocates have pressed against making taxpayers fund embryonic stem cell research will likely come to a head in October. That's when a state judge will decide whether to block $21 million in public funds from going to the Life Sciences Research Board for the controversial science.

California Hispanic Group Joins Opposition to Legislation Promoting Euthanasia
Sacramento, CA (LifeNews.com) -- Pro-life and disability rights groups in California are already getting out calls and emails to lawmakers about a measure that promotes euthanasia. Now one of the leading Hispanic groups in the state, LULAC, is on board and joining the fight against the measure.

Australian State Officials Review Metal Health Guidelines After Assisted Suicide
Perth Australia (LifeNews.com) -- Officials in the state of Western Australia are reviewing mental health guidelines and treatment of patients following an assisted suicide there. Three sisters of a mother of three are accused of doing nothing to preventing her from following instructions in an assisted suicide book to take her life.

Terri Schiavo's Family Carries Her Legacy Forward Helping Disabled Patients
St. Petersburg, FL (LifeNews.com) -- After her husband won the legal right to subject her to a painful euthanasia death via starvation and dehydration, the mainstream media coverage of Terri Schiavo ended abruptly. Proving they were more interested in protecting people than the lure of the cameras, Terri's family hasn't stopped fighting for the disabled.

Oregon Pro-Life Group: Reject Embryonic Stem Cell Research Tax Funding
Salem, OR (LifeNews.com) -- Oregon House Majority Leader Dave Hunt recently said that, under his leadership during the 2009 session of the state House, he plans to push forward a measure forcing state taxpayers to fund embryonic stem cell research. But Oregon Right to Life says state residents should be forced to pay for it.

California Pro-Life Group Continues Opposing Bill That Promoting Euthanasia
Sacramento, CA (LifeNews.com) -- A leading California pro-life group is continuing to urge pro-life advocates to contact their state legislators to oppose a bill that would promote euthanasia. The California Pro-Life Council is opposed to AB 2747, a measure sponsored by the lawmaker who has repeatedly tried to legalize assisted suicide.

Washington Poll Shows Support for Measure to Legalize Assisted Suicide
Olympia, WA (LifeNews.com) -- A new poll shows a plurality of voters favor a measure appearing on the November ballot in Washington that would make the state the second to legalize assisted suicide. Only Oregon currently allows the grisly practice and I-1000 would have Washington state follow suit.

South Korea Prohibits Hwang Woo-Suk From Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Seoul, South Korea (LifeNews.com) -- The government of South Korea has rejected a request from embattled scientist Hwang Woo-suk to resume embryonic stem cell research. Hwang became an international embarrassment after he admitted to faking supposed advances in the science that involves the destruction of human life.

Michigan Panel to Decide This Month on Human Embryo Research Proposal
Lansing, MI (LifeNews.com) -- A Michigan governmental panel will determine later this month whether backers of a state ballot proposal to conduct experiments on days-old unborn children will qualify for the November elections. Backers of the research turned in 570,000 signatures in July for the measure.

Comatose Patient Glad Parents Didn't Listen to Doctors' Euthanasia Suggestion
Casper, WY (LifeNews.com) -- Opponents of assisted suicide have always said that legalizing the grisly practice would lead to euthanasia, where patients would be killed without their request or consent. A Wyoming man who was formally brain dead and comatose is glad that his parents didn't listen to doctors, who suggested taking his life.

Pro-Life Bioethicst Applauds Recent Advance Using iPS Cells to Treat ALS
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Dr. David Prentice, a Family Research Council fellow and former Indiana State University biology professor, is excited about the news that researchers at Harvard and Columbia have made advances dealing with ALS and stem cells without having to destroy human life.

Stem Cell Researchers Make ALS Advances Without Destroying Human Life
Boston, MA (LifeNews.com) -- Researchers at Harvard and Columbia have made advances dealing with ALS and stem cells without having to destroy human life. The scientists were able to use a new technique to transform the skin cells of patients with Lou Gehrig's disease into motor neurons.

Italian Prosecutors Appeal Court Decision for Euthanasia of Eluana Englaro
Rome, Italy (LifeNews.com) -- Italian prosecutors have filed an appeal in the case of a father's attempt to kills his disabled daughter via euthanasia by removing her feeding tube. State prosecutors filed papers on Thursday appealing the ruling a Milan court handed down earlier this month in the case of Eluana Englaro.

Oregon Tells Patients State Will Pay for Assisted Suicide, Not Health Care
Salem, OR (LifeNews.com) -- It's happened again -- another Oregon resident has heard form state officials that it will happily pay for an assisted suicide but will not pay for the medical treatment he needs. For the second time in just over the last month, a patient has said the state health insurance plan has promoted death over medical care.

Disgraced Embryonic Stem Cell Researcher Hwang Woo-Suk May Study Again
Seoul, South Korea (LifeNews.com) -- Embattled scientist Hwang Woo-suk, who became an international embarrassment after he admitted to faking his embryonic stem cell research, has been hoping to re-enter the field for years. South Korea officials will decide later this week if he can do so.
 

North Country Gazette, June Maxam Attacks LifeNews.com on Terri Schiavo
In today's political culture, exploitation has unfortunately become more common. Unfortunately, we're seeing it again with the tragedy of the euthanasia death of Terri Schiavo.

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