University Faculty for Life

Here, here, and here are links to tributes to Nat Hentoff, who died on Saturday January 7, 2017 at the age of 91. Hentoff described himself as “a Jewish, atheist, civil libertarian, left-wing pro-lifer.” Wesley Smith once commented that “Hentoff’s advocacy cuts a wide swath across what are often called ‘the life issues.’ Indeed, his unyielding […]

Here is a link to a good essay by Margaret Somerville entitled–“Euthanasia: it’s a long, long, long way down.” Her essay discusses the logical and practical slippery slopes, and also the idea that “no potential slippery slope exists” because “the diminishment or repeal of existing restrictions [on euthanasia] is not recognized as a slippery slope, rather, […]

On December 30, 2016, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that the phrase “minor child” in the state’s Wrongful Death Act includes a pre-viable fetus. Justice Parker’s special concurrence noted that Alabama law generally protects the unborn from the moment of conception, and that “[t]he fact that life begins at conception is beyond refutation.” Justice Parker noted, as […]

Here is a very interesting essay by Margaret Somerville discussing post-truth, euthanasia, and elder abuse. Somerville’s work is always worth reading.

Here is a link to a blog post by Wesley Smith on developments in Ohio relating to assisted suicide. Smith makes the important point that there is not an inevitable current in favor of the legalization of assisted suicide.

Here is a link to a blog post by Alex Schadenberg about the recent (December 6, 2016) decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa rejecting a lower court ruling that allowed assisted suicide/euthanasia. Here  is a link to the opinion.          

Here is a link to an article in today’s New York Times describing, in the wake of the election of Donald Trump, new efforts to restrict abortion. Here’s a bit from the article— “The effects of Mr. Trump’s victory are only beginning to be felt. But one of the biggest changes is playing out in abortion […]

The French government has banned a video that portrays the lives of children with Down syndrome in positive terms. “The video features a number of young people from around the globe telling about their lives. Their stories reflect today’s reality of living with Down syndrome and aims to reassure women who have received a prenatal diagnosis. Their […]