Pediatricians' Group Issues Strong Pro-Life Statement

Concerned Women of America ^ | 6/16/2003 | Pamela P. Wong

[nickcarraway]

ACPeds reveals the fallacy of Roe v. Wade's emphasis on "viability" and "life and health of the mother."

The American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds) has issued a courageous position statement on abortion that upholds the "inviolability of all human persons from conception to natural end" and recommends that "elective abortions not be performed."

The position of the newly formed ACPeds, which was founded last fall, stands in stark contrast to other pediatric groups, including the influential American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), which have never questioned the 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade.

According to Joseph Zanga, M.D., president of ACPeds, the group issued its statement at this time because of legislation banning partial-birth abortion, which passed Congress and will soon go to President Bush for his signature. "We'd like the White House and the bill's sponsors to know that ACPeds supports this legislation and would like it to go further."

An AAP policy statement in 1972, Age Limits of Pediatrics, stated: "[T]he pediatrician's responsibility for the child [extends] from conception through young adulthood." However, Roe switched averted that priority, because it centered on the mother's "health," rather than on the life of the unborn baby.

When the Roe decision created the "right" to abortion, it was uncommon to save babies born before 30 weeks, and even up to 35 weeks. Now, babies born at 22 or 23 weeks often survive, Zanga said: "As the clock of viability moves to earlier and earlier stages of pregnancy, it becomes clearer that there is a life [before birth]."

In addition, the statement refers to a 1997 report of the American Medical Association, Late Term Pregnancy Termination Techniques, which acknowledges that third-trimester abortions are not usually necessary to save the life or health of the mother.

The ACPeds statement concludes with the following recommendations:

"(1) In recognition of the constitutional principles regarding the right to an abortion articulated by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade, but with higher regard for the advance of science and the values of medicine, we recommend that elective abortions not be performed. Although some abortions are said to be performed to preserve the life of the mother, they are in fact, rarely necessary for those purposes. Maternal health factors that are said to demand termination of the pregnancy can also be accommodated without sacrifice of the fetus. When there is possibility of independent viability of the fetus, we argue for ending the pregnancy by appropriate delivery.

2) All pre-term deliveries should be done with the health and safety of both mother and infant in mind, and, whenever possible, with a second physician present to safeguard the life and health of the fetus.

3) Decisions regarding the provision of life-sustaining medical treatment for the newly born infant should then proceed as for any other infant or child."

[nickcarraway]

ping

[nickcarraway]

ping

[Dr. Scarpetta]

BUMP

[Mr. Silverback]

ProLife Ping!

If anyone wants on or off my ProLife Ping List, please notify me here or by freepmail.

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Ill put you on mine if you put me on yours !

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

bump

[Dusty Rose]

This is a group founded in 2002. It is a group that would be expected to take this position, so IMO it's not a real breakthrough for the pro-life cause. Some people may confuse this group with the American Academy of Pediatrics.
If the Academy would come out with a statement like this, THAT really would be a pivotal news statement with far-reaching effects.

[Liz]

An affirmation of life that is so inspiring. We need more pro-life support of this caliber........

..........and less of lowlife creeps like this pro-abortion liar and fraud.....


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/872877/posts

[attagirl]

Wellllllllll, that's why the group is still pro-life. It hasn't been infiltrated and "transformed" from the top down.

Consensus is just a way to shut up the people with principles.

After all, who can argue with the National Cancer Institute, the American Psychiatric Assn., the AMA, American Assn. for the Advancement of Science, etc., etc., etc.

That's how the game works.

[cgk]

Thanks for the ping and the post...

"(1) In recognition of the constitutional principles regarding the right to an abortion articulated by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade, but with higher regard for the advance of science and the values of medicine, we recommend that elective abortions not be performed. Although some abortions are said to be performed to preserve the life of the mother, they are in fact, rarely necessary for those purposes. Maternal health factors that are said to demand termination of the pregnancy can also be accommodated without sacrifice of the fetus. When there is possibility of independent viability of the fetus, we argue for ending the pregnancy by appropriate delivery."

Note this is one of the reasons WHY the pro-babykillers want to include "mental health" as one of the "women's health issues" for allowing abortions to continue.

More on thread... EXCELLENT news - bump for babies!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[Under the Radar]

Thanks for the ping. I now know what to look for in a pediatrician.

[Dusty Rose]

Consensus is just a way to shut up the people with principles.

One woman of principle is Norma McCorvey. The brave stand she is taking today, in contrast to the infamous Roe vs. Wade position, upsets the consensus. If one public figure on this issue can do a radical 180 degree turn, perhaps there's hope that others will also see the light and follow.

[attagirl]

While I agree witih your above post, you missed my point: beware of organizations taking stands on things because they're all political (not based on truth)and members who may not agree just shut up and go with the program. IT'S CALLED A MINORITY REPORT!

[victim soul]

American College of Pediatricians - Core Values

http://acpeds.org/index.cgi?BISKIT=1451967317&CONTEXT=cat&cat=3

The American College of Pediatricians:

Recognizes that there are absolutes and scientific truths that transcend relative social considerations of the day.


Recognizes that good medical science cannot exist in a moral vacuum and pledges to promote such science.


Recognizes the fundamental mother-father family unit, within the context of marriage, to be the optimal setting for the development and nurturing of children and pledges to promote this unit.


Recognizes the unique value of every human life from the time of conception to natural death and pledges to promote research and clinical practice that provides for the healthiest outcome of the child from conception to adulthood.


Recognizes the essential role parents play in encouraging and correcting the child and pledges to protect and promote this role.


Recognizes the physical and emotional benefits of sexual abstinence until marriage and pledges to promote this behavior as the ideal for adolescence.


Recognizes that health professionals caring for children must maintain high ethical and scientific standards and pledges to promote such practice.


Recognizes the vital role the College has in promoting quality education for parents, physicians, and other health professionals.

[hocndoc]

Wonderful!

The fact that is often over looked by the pro abortion side (besides the fact recognized by these pediatricians of the humanity of the prenatal human we study in our human medicine books in human medical school) is that advances in medicine has changed the way we treat pregnant women and constantly decreased the risk of pregnancy in virtually all cases. We have antibiotics, medicines that can lower or raise blood pressure, change blood chemistry and support and improve the mother's health.
Another overlooked fact is that statistically it is safer for women to go to term than to have an abortion after 15 weeks.

[Dusty Rose]

I agree with you entirely. Political stands taken may often be contrary to members own convictions.It's difficult for members when funds are appropriated for causes and candidates they as individuals cannot in conscience support, because the leadership (from top down) decide on a direction. All the more important for "grassroots" to be aware, organized and vocal. I, for one, could not support my own professional organization because of PACS. I felt very much in the minority because I was not "politically correct," but I do believe there were many of us "in the minority" who did not speak up so as not to "make waves." I resigned professional membership. One has to choose one's battles where a difference can be made.

[freeangel]

My guess is that they're smart enough to try and keep their " business" alive.

[attagirl]

great tag line!