NEW MEANING

New meaning of therapeutic abortions
Family News In Focus - April 26, 2000
http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/A0011142.html
Health Report Reveals Shocking Truth
by Stuart Shepard

So-called "therapeutic abortions" are more widespread than once thought. A report from the Illinois Department of Health is renewing concerns over a controversial practice at Christ Hospital in Chicago.

According the department, on average, two babies a month are subjected to therapeutic abortions. That's the hospital's practice of forcing the premature delivery of babies with birth defects and then allowing them to die. The official statistics validate the claims of Jill Stanek, a nurse who first brought the practice into the media spotlight. "Just this year alone, two babies have been born that lived between two and three hours," she said.

The hospital has claimed all along that it performs very few therapeutic abortions, and reportedly has disciplined Stanek for speaking out. Stanek said she won't back off, in spite of the opposition. "The difference is that we are right there on the abortion line where pro-life and pro-choice both are seeing these abortions done," Stanek said. "In that regard, it is very hard."

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to end the practice. Penny Pullen, with Life Advocacy Resource Project, says a bill recently introduced in the U.S. House would protect any infant born alive. "These babies who survive abortions, even for a few minutes, would be considered persons to be protected by the law," Pullen said.