“Science, Embryonic Autonomy, and the Question of When Life Begins”
Here is a link to a good essay by Ana Maria Dumitru. Here is the conclusion: “So let’s stop deflecting. It’s time to own up to the truth. Science has already affirmed what we have long since suspected: we can call them fertilized eggs, zygotes, morulas, blastocysts, products of conception, embryos, or fetuses, but that doesn’t […]
Re-Reading Roe v. Wade
Yesterday was the 44th anniversary of the Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade. Here is a link to my article entitled “Re-Reading Roe v. Wade,” which was presented at Washington & Lee Law School at a conference organized by Sam Calhoun.
Congressional efforts to nullify DC assisted suicide law
Here is a story in the National Right to Life News about congressional efforts to nullify DC’s assisted suicide law. The law was passed by the DC Council in December of 2016. Congress has the ability to nullify such laws, although the time-frame for so doing is short.
“Experts warn Australians against following overseas experience with euthanasia”
Here is a good article from MercatorNet about the dangers of legalizing euthanasia.
tributes to Nat Hentoff
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 […]
slippery slopes
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, […]
Alabama Supreme Court ruling protects the unborn
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 […]
Margaret Somerville on “post-truth, euthanasia, and elder abuse”
Here is a very interesting essay by Margaret Somerville discussing post-truth, euthanasia, and elder abuse. Somerville’s work is always worth reading.
Ohio makes assisted suicide a felony
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.
Supreme Court of South Africa rejects lower court decision allowing assisted suicide/euthanasia
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.