WASHINGTON, D.C.--Life Decisions International (LDI) recently joined the long list of pro-family organizations to receive a threatening form letter from the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation (MoD).
"We are in receipt of correspondence that contains statements that seriously misrepresent that mission of the March of Dimes," wrote Lisa Bellsey, the Foundation's senior vice president and general counsel. "Your organization is cited as the source of the misinformation. Specifically, we have been informed that your organization maintains that the March of Dimes supports abortion. The March of Dimes does not support abortion and we strongly urge your organization to cease and desist from issuing any statements to the contrary."
Bellsey quoted from a policy statement adopted by the MoD's National Board of Trustees more than 20 years ago: "The March of Dimes maintains a neutral position on the abortion issue. Foundation funds may not be used for abortion services or directive counseling. While the March of Dimes cannot censor or control the personal beliefs of grantees, violation of these policies constitutes grounds for immediate cancellation of a grant."
According to the lawyer, the MoD "recognizes the contribution of prenatal diagnosis in the treatment of fetal abnormalities and birth defects." She claimed that the Foundation "supports research that is scientifically and ethically sound and conforms to current federal policies." Of course, the most interesting part of Bellsey's letter is the sentence which reads, "The March of Dimes does not encourage abortion or cooperate in the performance of abortions."
"We are concerned that your organization is doing a public disservice by misrepresenting our mission and policies," Bellsey wrote. "We are requesting that you immediately cease from issuing any further false statements and that you remove all false statements from your organization's materials."
The corporate lawyer closed her letter with a demand: "[W]e ask for your assurances in writing that you will comply with our request no later than October 15, 2004. Your failure to respond will be interpreted as a refusal to respond and we reserve our right to pursue further legal remedies." LDI did not respond by the deadline, but did sent a reply shortly thereafter.
LDI President Douglas R. Scott made it clear that the organization he represents is "not the least bit impressed" by the attempt at intimidation. After all, LDI has been threatened in the same way by countless numbers of corporations. (LDI has never been sued, primarily because LDI does not publish anything without first confirming its accuracy.)
"Needless-to-say," Scott told Bellsey, "we look forward to receiving a copy of the material you claim to possess. Furthermore, we expect to receive, forthwith, a copy of the specific Life Decisions International document from which you have reached the conclusion that we have been involved in 'misrepresentation.'"
But is there any basis for Bellsey's complaint? Consider the following:
The Elliot Institute, which researches the physical and psychological effects of abortion, has accused MoD of concealing evidence that shows women who have had abortions need to be especially vigilant in receiving adequate prenatal care in subsequent pregnancies. MoD has removed information from its website about the risk of premature birth following abortion. The website had previously included a statement that women with a history of three or more miscarriages or abortions may be at higher risk of premature delivery. In actuality, the Elliot Institute says the risk of premature birth increases after only one induced abortion.
David Reardon, Ph.D., director of the Elliot Institute, said at least 50 published studies have shown a higher risk of premature birth and low birth weight delivery among women with a history of abortion. One study found the risk doubles after just one abortion. Multiple abortions increase the risk even more. Reardon said a doubling of risk among an estimated one-fourth of delivering women who have a history of abortion would result in a 25 percent rise overall.
Rather than changing the website to include the more accurate information, MoD eliminated mention of the risk entirely. "Has it (MoD) updated its website and literature to better prepare American couples to receive adequate prenatal care to avoid premature births when there is a history of induced abortion?" Reardon asked. "No. March of Dimes has instead decided it must try even harder to cover up the abortion link to neonatal deaths and handicaps by removing even the vastly understated risk of premature birth after three or four abortions from their website."
MoD claims it does not take a position on abortion, but every respectable pro-life organization opposes the group due to its acquiescence to a "search and destroy" attitude. The primary objection is over prenatal testing that is done to give women "choices" about bringing a child into the world. "The Pro-Life Movement strongly opposes fetal testing that is done for such reasons," Scott said. "Prenatal testing should be done only for the sake of the unborn child, such as diagnosing problems that can be corrected in the womb or helping parents prepare for the special needs of a disabled child. Any other use is clearly for eugenic purposes."
MoD is just fine with the use of abortion as a "solution" to the "problem" of "imperfect" children. A MoD booklet states: "When a birth defect is diagnosed, genetic counselors provide emotional support and understanding during what can be a very difficult time. If there are decisions to be made...about the pregnancy, the care of a child, having more children, or about the ability of the family to cope with ongoing problems...the parents can make more informed choices with the facts in hand."
MoD has awarded grants for research on genetic problems that may be used to encourage medical personnel to suggest abortion. Abortionist Maurice Mahoney received $35,000 for research on chorionic villi sampling and for developing a prenatal diagnostic technique which would permit the first-trimester abortion of affected unborn children. From 1989 to 1990, MoD gave Haig H. Kazazian of Johns Hopkins University a $50,000 grant to perfect early detection methods for such disorders as Beta-Thalassemia, Hemophilia A, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and Cystic Fibrosis, none of which is treatable in the womb. Kazazian is a devoted advocate of eugenic abortion.
A MoD policy statement notes its support of fetal tissue experimentation as "one technique to broaden understanding of human biology and pregnancy outcome." It has funded fetal experimentation and fetal tissue use for more than two decades. In the early 1970s, it gave $19,000 to John F. S. Crocker of Dalhousie University to study congenital kidney abnormalities. The study involved 60 pairs of embryonic kidneys that had been obtained from human abortions after five to twelve weeks gestation. MoD has also written to influential members of Congress in support of federal funding for fetal tissue and embryonic stem cell experimentation.
Pro-abortion activists have held MoD leadership positions. For example, President Bill Clintons Senate-rejected nominee for Surgeon General, Henry Foster, served on its Medical Service Advisory Committee. Foster admitted committing nearly 700 abortions based on the results of fetal testing. He also defended fetoscopic prenatal research as "clearly therapeutic" since it is done "for the same reasons that we do amniocentesis; to decide whether or not the pregnancy should continue and to provide a therapeutic abortion."
The head of Planned Parenthood of the Palm Beach and Treasure Coast Area was recognized by MoD as "Woman of Distinction 2003." In accepting the award, the Planned Parenthood chief executive officer said she "longs to see every child wanted, loved, and cared for--the result of choice rather than chance."
And what was the last straw? MoD presented Senator Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., with its prestigious Franklin Delano Roosevelt Award for a "lifetime of work in advancing a wide range of initiatives central to the health and well being of children and families." As MoD's president put it, "Senator Kennedy has been a strong voice on issues important to American families for decades. He is a visionary legislator whose work has resulted in significant improvements in federal support of research and services critical to children and their families." The award is presented to individuals and corporations who have "made a substantial contribution to the community."
"Ms. Bellsey objects to the having the March of Dimes referred to as 'pro-abortion,'" Scott said. "The group is clearly not opposed to abortion as a 'solution' to preventing the births of 'imperfect' children. Bellsey may claim neutrality on behalf of her employer, but which just doesn't fly. If you are not opposed to abortion, you support it as a viable option. That makes you pro-abortion in my book."
Scott said LDI will continue to expose the March of Dimes until it changes its attitude toward children.
|
