Members of MRL Write to the Press

Abortion crisis needs our attention By Lois Irwin, Muscatine, Iowa
Is the pro-life term sometimes being used as a misnomer in today’s society? Let me share with you some information from the Iowa City Press Citizen on Jan. 25 in the Opinion section by a member of their “Citizens Writer’s Group.”I am quoting the following from Karen Kubby: “I am pro-life. I believe strongly in the value of living beings on this planet. I celebrate life in a variety of ways through my daily activities and spiritual life.“I recognize the lives gained through abortion. I see the lives of women and their children who are stronger and more stable because of a decision toward abortion.”
She goes on to state that every decision we make results in some form of equilibrium. When women make decisions about a pregnancy, they are thinking deeply about their equilibrium.My question: Where was this equilibrium before engaging in the sexual act(s)?
Was there any thought as stated in Psalms 139:13-16: “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body, and knit them together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous — and how well I know it. You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your Book.”Oh, it is so depressing when one thinks of these abortion stats: Today in the USA, as of 2 p.m., Jan. 31, more than 1,860 babies have been aborted. Since Jan. 22, 1973, more than 46,835,400 have met the same fate.Can these stats be turned around, and when in this country which espouses to Christianity?At a time when there is great concern over Social Security benefits for people in the future, where would we be if the majority of aborted babies were working and viable citizens?Hopefully, more citizens will truly get involved in PRO-life campaigns. Currently, the Muscatine Right To Life Committee is being established and we welcome ALL who are interested. Our next meeting is at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19, in Gannon Hall at St. Mathias Church. You may go to muscatinerighttolife@hotmail.com for more information.Additional information on Karen Kubby from her Opinion article: She is the pro-life executive director of the Emma Goldman Clinic, Iowa City, Iowa.Emma Goldman Clinic: first outpatient abortion clinic in Iowa, September 1973, eight months after the U.S. Supreme Court declared the right to chose an abortion is constitutionally guaranteed.Are we only in a crisis in the Middle East or is there a crisis here in the USA that is not being recognized?

Proposed bill is really 'clone and kill' By Shellie Clyde, Jim Miller, Debbie Hills, Mike Miller, John Miller, Sharon and Mark Rauenbuehler, Lea Gentzler, Muscatine
In the near future, discussion is being planned at our state capitol regarding the reversal of Iowa Code 707 B, the very important ban passed in 2002 on human cloning. This bill they will try to pass is referred to as SF 115, which they want to call “Stem Cell Initiative” to avoid its human cloning purpose. It is really a “clone and kill” bill being used to reverse Code 707B.At this time, Iowa does not ban any type of stem cell research. In fact, the Iowa human cloning ban states that the cloning ban does not interfere with stem cell research.I am under the impression that some (especially researchers in Iowa City) want to clone humans so that they have more embryos for research purposes. The act of taking the stem cell out of the embryo for research is a completely different act from creating human clones. But, they also want to create a clone of specific patients by using their DNA — this is the act of human cloning.
At this time, I understand that Iowa permits both embryonic and adult stem cell research. I support adult stem cell research, which has already healed nine mice with type one juvenile diabetes. Adult stem cell research is saving lives — NOT CLONING HUMANS. There is a huge distinction between the two.The discussion being planned by our legislature is to repeal the “Human Cloning Ban.” The next logical step if this ban is eliminated would be mass cloning of humans.
I feel that everyone should be informed so that those who would be against such action could begin to write letters to their representatives before it is too late.707B.4 Human cloning — prohibitions — exceptions — penalty.1. A person shall not intentionally or knowingly do any of the following:a. Perform or attempt to perform human cloning.b. Participate in performing or in an attempt to perform human cloning.c. Transfer or receive a cloned human embryo for any purpose.d. Transfer or receive, in whole or in part, any oocyte, human embryo, fetus, or human somatic cell for the purpose of human cloning.2. This section shall not restrict areas of scientific research not specifically prohibited, including in-vitro fertilization; the administration of fertility-enhancing drugs; or research in the use of nuclear transfer or other cloning techniques to produce molecules, deoxyribonucleic acid, tissues, organs, plants, animals other than humans, or cells other than human embryos.