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World Federation of the Catholic Medical Associations
USA Judge Denies New Trial on Terri Schiavo's Catholic Faith and Euthanasia
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 22, 2004Clearwater, FL (LifeNews.com) -- A local judge on Friday refused to allow a new trial to determine whether subjecting Terri Schiavo to a painful starvation death would violate her Catholic beliefs. That would happen if her estranged husband Michael is allowed to remove the gastric tube that is providing her with food and water. On Friday, Circuit Court Judge George Greer said he would not order a new trial requested by Terri's parents Bob and Mary Schindler. The Schindlers had requested the new trial saying that recent statements by Pope John Paul show the Catholic church opposes removing the feeding tubes of patients like Terri, causing their death. Terri and her family are active Catholics and they say ending her life would violate her Catholic faith. They argue Terri would want lifesaving medical treatment and rehabilitative care.
In his 4-page order, Greer states that "Nothing has changed. There is nothing new presented regarding Terri Schiavo's religious attitude and there still is no religious advisor to assist this or any other court in weighing her desire to comply with this or any other papal pronouncement." However, Greer approved a stay that prevents Michael from removing the feeding tube until at least December 6 so the Schindlers can have an opportunity to appeal his decision.
In a statement related by the law firm of David Gibbs, the Schindlers attorney, the family thanked Greer for issuing the emergency stay. The Schindlers indicated they will be appealing Greer's decision preventing the new trial. At a hearing earlier this month, David Gibbs, a highly-regarded religious liberties attorney, argued that Terri, as a pro-life Catholic who attended twelve years of Catholic school, would likely have followed the Catholic church's position on euthanasia.
Expanding on the Catholic Church's pro-life policies on assisted suicide and euthanasia, the Pope in March said that removing the feeding tube of a disabled patient is immoral and amounts to "euthanasia by omission." Michael's attorney, assisted suicide advocate George Felos, disputed the claim that the Pope's statement was sufficient for Judge Greer to overturn his two previous decisions allowing Michael to euthanize Terri. On Thursday, the Florida Supreme Court decided not to allow a rehearing of its unanimous decision to overturn Terri's Law, the measure that allowed Governor Jeb Bush to protect Terri's life. That puts Michael closer to removing Terri's feeding tube a third time.
BRAZIL
Brazilian Highest Court annuls the liminary which allowed abortion of anencephalic babies but action is still waiting for a definitive sentence.
On October 20th 2004 the Federal High Court plenary in Brazil has runned again discussion of ADPF 54, the action that has as its goal allowing abortion of anencephalic babies in Brazil, what would be the first step for the full legalization of abortion in that country. The Ministers that compose the High Court have decided, by 7 votes against 4, to annul a liminary granted by Minister Marco Aurelio, the action's relator, by which this kind of abortion was temporarily allowed in Brazil since last July till.
The action, however, has not reached to its end, and is still waiting, in next weeks, its final sentence.
News that come from Brasilia are that, during all Court history, there never has been so many people, from Brazil and from all over the world, that have manifested so lively and so clearly about any matter. Official news may be read at the Federal High Court (Supremo Tribunal Federal) site: http://www.stf.gov.br/
VATICAN
Holy Father urges respect for the disabled and that includes the unborn, he stresses
Vatican City Nov. 16, 2004 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II made an urgent appeal, especially to politicians, to respect the life of the disabled, the weak and the poor, whether born or unborn.
The Pope made his appeal during his meeting Saturday with 50 members of the Christian Office of the Disabled, who arrived from France on pilgrimage, on the 40th anniversary of the office's foundation.
Among those present was the founder, Marie Helene Mathieu, a pioneer in special education. Mathieu, together with Jean Vanier (founder of L'Arche Communities), is also founder of the Fire and Light movement for the spiritual assistance of the disabled and their families.
"Your presence," the Holy Father told the group, "invites me to appeal once again in an urgent manner to all people of good will, especially government leaders and legislators, to have a heightened awareness and humanity so that all human life is protected, especially that of the weakest, the smallest and the poorest, and to halt all actions aimed at eliminating conceived and unborn children, who are defenseless, with man thus making himself the master of life."
"To strike the little ones is, in a certain sense, to strike our own humanity, as there is among all the same fraternity and the same solidarity," he said. The Pope thanked his guests for the care they give "to persons suffering from some disability.""You remind people that the person is not reduced to his aptitudes and place in economic life, but rather is a creature of God, loved by him for himself, not for what he does," he said.
ZE04111603
TAIWAN
Love, Hope and Faith in Family Health Care: the Asian Federation of Catholic Doctors holds its 13th Congress
The 13th Congress of the Asian Federation of Catholic Medical Associations (AFCMA) was held recently in Taipei, Taiwan from 25th to 27th Nov. The organisers chose the theme, "Love, Faith and Hope in Family Health Care" in response to the Holy Father's call to promote the dignity of the Family. In his prophetic encyclical "Familiaris Consortio" written in 1981 which is more relevent than ever today, the Holy Father affirms the salvific role of the Christian family.
Through Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Holy Father sent his blessings to the participants of the Congress and exhorts all healthcare workers to exercise faith, hope and love in our daily profession especially in this Year of the Eucharist, that 'by our mutual love and in particular by our concern for those in need we will be recognised as true folowers of Christ'(ManeNobiscum Domine, 28).
The keynote speech entitled "Health and the Family" delivered by His Eminence Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragan was inspiring and thought provoking. The Alimurang Lecture in honour of one of the co-foundrs of AFCMA was given by Fr Louis Aldrich. Coincidentally both Cardinal Lozano and Fr Aldrich dwelled on the idea of the Trinitarian God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit and the concept of Trinitarian Love.
The Congress afforded a opportunity for us to meet up with old friends and to make new ones. Our Taiwanese friends went to great lengths to make the foreign delegates feel welcome. After the turmoils of SARS which was felt deeply in Asia it was indeed a time of great rejoicing and celebration.
We also had a successful EXCO meeting which saw Prof. Kwang-ho Meng (Korea) being elected as the new President. The Vice Presidents are Sr Dr Mary Ann Lou(Taiwan), Dr. Chong Khin Yam(Malaysia), Dr. Buichi Ishijima (Japan) and Dr Peter Au Yeung (Hong Kong). The AFCMA delegates to FIAMC are Dr John Lee
(immediate past president) and Dr Freddie Loh (Malaysia). The Sec Gen is Dr Bum Soo Kim (Korea) and Ecclesiastical Advisor Fr Hygino Hendriques.
The EXCO meeting also saw the acceptance of proposal to create two coordinating bodies for Bioethics and Missions headed by Drs Ian Snodgrass and John Lee respectively. More news and information can be found on the newly created AFCMA website www.afcma.blogspot.com
The next Congress will be hosted by Hong Kong in 2008.Members have pledged to make an effort to attend the 22nd FIAMC Congress to be held in Barcelona in 2006.
Dr. John John Lee, Past President AFCMA
TAIWAN
Card. Lozano at the 13th Congress of the Asian Federation of Catholic Doctors.
Taipei (Fides Service) - The 13th Congress of the Asian Federation of Catholic Medical Association was held in Taiean on 26 - 27 November to reflect on the theme, Love, Hope and Faith in Family Health Care to respond to Pope John Paul II's call to promote the dignity of the family.
The main issues for discussion were problems concerning people of all ages, including instruction and healthcare for pregnant mothers, infants and children; challenges and measures to adopt for a new informative approach for spiritual healthcare of adolescents and adults; reflection on the Christian spirit in the care of the elderly.
"Harmony is the basic element for good health," the President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Cardinal Lozano Barragan told the participants in his opening address on the relation between health and the family. The President indicated guidelines of his introduction in which he examined God as harmony and the family's health as divine harmony and then analyses God as family harmony and authentic family health which consists in this divine harmony.
"At the centre of everything there is life which is always a precious gift" the Cardinal said, adding "...The very essence of the family health are the virtues: the theological virtues of course, but certainly the cardinal virtues as well. Only with the practice of these virtues is it possible to proceed toward the divine harmony, in which the reality of health consists... It is impossible to understand the health of the family without faith. ... It is only with a profound faith that we can build an understanding of the health of the family" he concluded. (AP) (25/11/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:24; Parole:286)
Links (More info on Congress): http://www.evangelizatio.org/portale/adgentes/db/pcps_05eng.html
VATICAN
AIDS: "Reduction of the price of the anti-viral drugs needed to treat HIV/AIDS patients; intensification of information campaigns in order to avoid mother/child transmission of the virus; greater attention for most vulnerable social groups." Message for World AIDS Day from ! the President of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Care of Health workers and the Sick
Vatican City (Fides Service) - December 1 is World AIDS day. A recent study showed that women are physically more liable to become infected than men. This year the United Nations Organisation programme for AIDS UNAIDS decided to dedicate the Day to women and girls and HIV/AIDS.
In view of World AIDS Day Cardinal Lozano Barragan, President of the Pontifical Council for pastoral care of healthcare workers and the sick issued a message in which he recalled: "The Church has always defended women and their very great dignity with especial vigour and is struggling to fight those examples of discrimination which still today in a great deal of our society require greater efforts to secure the elimination of disparities in relation to women in such sectors as education, the defence of health, and work."
He also referred to the recent UN report The impact of AIDS 2004 which reveals that since the epidemic first appeared more than 22 million people have died of AIDS and at present 42 million are infected with HIV/AID .
The Cardinal underlined "Responding to the sorrowful appeal of the Holy Father, the Catholic Church, ever since the appearance of this terrible scourge, has always made her contribution both to preventing the transmission of the HIV virus and to looking after AIDS victims and their families at the medical/assistance, social, spiritual and pastoral levels. At the present time, 26.7% of the centres dedicated to treating HIV/AIDS in the world are Catholic centres.."
At the end of his message Cardinal Barragan listed lines of action to effectively fight and prevent HIV/AIDS. (AP) (24/11/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:29; Parole:335)
Links: http://www.evangelizatio.org/portale/adgentes/db/pcps_03.html
See message in Italian, Spanish and English
FRANCE
«Laisser mourir», pas «faire mourir» La Croix, 25.11.2004
La proposition de loi sur les droits des malades et la fin de vie est examinée vendredi 26 novembre en première lecture à l'Assemblée. Le texte définit les conditions dans lesquelles certains traitements peuvent être arrêtés
La proposition de loi sur les droits des malades et la fin de vie examinée aujourd'hui à l'Assemblée nationale constitue un petit événement. À double titre. Sur une question qui s'avérait particulièrement redoutable, le texte a réussi à mettre d'accord les députés de tous bords, alors même que leurs positions initiales se situaient parfois aux antipodes. Il a aussi tenu le pari de renforcer les droits du patient à décider de son sort, sans tomber dans le piège de la dépénalisation de l'euthanasie. Bref, il a trouvé un équilibre entre la protection de la vie et le respect du libre choix
Issue du travail parlementaire élaboré au sein de la mission que présidait le député (UMP) des Alpes-Maritimes Jean Leonetti, la proposition va aussi loin que l'on pouvait aller. Elle embrasse la quasi-totalité des situations dans lesquelles se pose la question d'un arrêt des soins. Initialement, la mission devait se limiter à l'examen des situations de fin de vie. Mais il lui est apparu «qu'on ne pouvait se pencher sur ces patients et ignorer les droits des autres», explique Jean Leonetti. Ainsi, contrairement à ce que prétendent des associations favorables à l'euthanasie, le «cas Vincent Humbert» fait partie des hypothèses envisagées par la loi. Enfin, cette loi n'enferme pas la décision médicale dans une procédure administrative préétablie. Elle fixe un cadre, une démarche à suivre, mais n'entre pas dans les détails, laissant aux médecins et aux patients un espace de liberté.
Que dit ce texte ? Il établit une double distinction : entre le malade qui est en fin de vie et celui qui n'est pas en fin de vie, et entre le malade conscient et le malade inconscient. Premier cas : le patient est en fin de vie, il est conscient et il refuse certains traitements. Le médecin doit l'informer des risques qu'il court, mais si le malade persiste, il doit accéder à sa volonté, tout en continuant à lui prodiguer des soins palliatifs. Le médecin peut aussi, pour soulager les souffrances du malade, lui administrer des doses croissantes de calmant, même si cela risque d'abréger sa vie.
Si ce même malade est inconscient, et donc hors d'état d'exprimer sa volonté, plusieurs précautions s'imposent. Le médecin peut décider d'arrêter des soins qui s'avèrent inutiles, à plusieurs conditions : en avoir décidé collégialement avec son équipe, avoir consulté la famille et/ou la personne de confiance désignée par le patient et avoir pris connaissance d'éventuelles «directives anticipées» rédigées par le patient.
S'efforcer de convaincre le malade
Deuxième hypothèse : le malade n'est pas en fin de vie, il est conscient et veut arrêter un traitement. Ce faisant, il met sa vie en danger. C'était le cas de Vincent Humbert. Le médecin doit d'abord s'efforcer de convaincre le malade. Il peut faire appel à un autre membre du corps médical et, naturellement, convoquer la famille. Mais si, au terme d'un délai raisonnable, le malade persiste dans sa volonté, le médecin doit s'y conformer. Il est ainsi autorisé, par exemple, à enlever la sonde d'alimentation qui maintient le patient en vie. Les soins de confort sont naturellement poursuivis, et le malade peut être sédaté s'il souffre. «En revanche, il n'est pas question de lui faire une piqûre, précise Jean Leonetti. Il n'est pas équivalent de laisser mourir quelqu'un ou de le faire mourir. On ne se débarrasse pas d'un mourant. Car sinon, plus rien n'empêche la dérive euthanasique.»
Reste le cas des malades qui ne sont pas en fin de vie et qui sont inconscients, comme les états végétatifs chroniques. Là encore peut se poser la question du maintien de certaines thérapeutiques. Là encore, les mêmes règles s'appliquent : décision collégiale, consultation de la famille ou de la personne de confiance. Avec toute une gamme de situations possibles : «Si l'on a affaire à une personne en état végétatif qui est autosuffisante, qui respire spontanément, on n'a aucune légitimité à intervenir, estime Jean Leonetti. En revanche, l'équipe peut, après consultation de la famille, décider qu'elle n'engagera pas une réanimation lourde en cas de survenue d'une infection, car ce serait disproportionné. Autre cas : si la personne en état végétatif ne survit que grâce à une assistance alimentaire et respiratoire, la réflexion sera différente et on pourra se poser la question d'arrêter le respirateur. Mais, en aucun cas, un médecin ne pourra décider de débrancher le malade clandestinement, de sa propre initiative. Pas plus qu'il ne pourrait arrêter les traitements s'il y avait le moindre espoir que le patient reprenne conscience.»
La loi a aussi voulu renforcer les soins palliatifs. Pour ce faire, elle a prévu l'obligation de créer des lits identifiés de soins palliatifs et d'imposer des référents en soins palliatifs dans chaque grand service accueillant des pathologies graves.
Marianne GOMEZ
À lire : La version abrégée du rapport de Marie de Hennezel : Propositions pour une vie digne jusqu'au bout, qui vient de paraître au Seuil (135 p., 14 ¤ ).
© copyright la-Croix.com 2003
ARGENTINA
Médicos católicos rechazan "educación" sexual que vulnera derechos de los padres
BUENOS AIRES, 29 Nov. 04 (ACI).-El Consorcio de Médicos Católicos rechazó los dos proyectos de ley sobre "educación" sexual aprobados recientemente en la Comisión de Educación del Parlamento argentino, por despreciar el derecho de enseñanza de los padres en la materia y atentar contra la pureza física y moral de los alumnos.
Según la declaración, firmada por los médicos Carlos Carranza Casares, Carlos Ray y Susana Vaucheret, los dos dictámenes son inconstitucionales, ya que la Carta Magna consagra que "la planificación familiar atañe a los padres de manera indelegable, de acuerdo a principios éticos y morales", y es el Estado el encargado de garantizar ese derecho.
Uno de los proyectos altera la idea original de las escuelas para padres, introduciendo la enseñanza sexual obligatoria en las materias de biología, psicología, y formación ética y ciudadana.. El otro dictamen pretende imponer la difusión de anticonceptivos, la normalidad de la homosexualidad y el concepto de género.
El comunicado también señala que "la verdadera educación sexual es la que brindan los padres con su ejemplo de vida, con la formación espiritual, moral e intelectual que dan a sus hijos, con la enseñanza de valores y conceptos sobre Dios; el amor, la pureza y la castidad"
Finalmente, los médicos católicos advierten que de aprobarse de manera definitiva algunos de los proyectos será manifiestamente anticonstitucional, por lo que esperan que los Tribunales de Justicia de la Capital Federal y de la Nación así lo declaren.
Esta información fue obtenida de ACI Prensa. Visítenos en http://www.aciprensa.com/
UNITED NATIONS
United Nations Now Pushes Chile and Malta to Legalize Abortion
GENEVA, November 30, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A United Nations committee has urged two of the five countries in the world which prohibit all abortions to legalize abortion. Chile and Malta were before the United
Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, earlier this month. The committee ruled on Friday, that the countries should allow abortion in cases of rape and incest.
The committee is set up to monitor compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR). Like all other UN documents, the CESCR does not officially contain clauses requiring the legalization of abortion.
Nonetheless, in official recommendations to Chile, released November 26, the CESCR committee said, "The Committee recommends that the State party revise its legislation and decriminalize abortion in cases of therapeutic abortions and when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest."
Commenting on the UN abortion push, Jorge Reyes, the lawyer and coordinator for the Chilean Pro-Life Network, told LifeSiteNews.com that the committee of "experts" was acting beyond its competence. "They are not allowed to interpret the Convention," Reyes said.
Reyes, who represents 35 pro-life and pro-family NGO's in the country told LifeSiteNews.com he was also concerned about the official response of Chilean government officials to the UN committee. He said that the government's responses did not represent the thoughts of the vast majority of Chileans. Reyes said that due to the pro-life constitution, those government officials would now have "to render serious account in Chile."
Reyes concluded that the incident was a sufficient reason to launch a "formal protest on the part of our country" to the United Nations
The CESCR committee used similar language in recommending Malta allow abortion. "The Committee urges the State party to review its legislation on abortion and consider exceptions to the general prohibition of abortion for cases of therapeutic abortions and when the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest," said the Committee report.
The Public Relations Office of the Archbishop of Malta rejected the UN committee's advice. In comments to LifeSiteNews.com, Charles Buttigieg, spokesman for Malta Archbishop Joseph Mercieca said, "God alone is the author and owner of life. Moreover, every human being has an inalienable right to life and physical integrity from the moment of conception until death. This right to life of every innocent human individual is a constitutive element of a civil society and its legislation. The moment a positive law deprives a category of human beings of the protection which civil legislation ought to accord them, the state is denying the equality of all before the law. Since it must be treated from conception as a person, the embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed, as far as possible, like any other human being."
Jim Hughes, Vice President of the International Right to Life Federation said that the CESCR committee members should be held accountable for their actions. "It's just another example of big brother interfering in the democratic rights of free citizens," Hughes told LifeSiteNews.com.
For more information on the committee members see (copy and paste URL into address bar): http://www.unhchr.ch/tbs/doc.nsf/(Symbol)/895cc497384d43e6c1256e5f0050924b?Opendocument
The CESCR Committee recommendation to Chile and Malta are available here:
http://www.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cescr/docs/e_c12_1_add105.pdf
http://www.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cescr/docs/e_c12_1_add101.pdfUNITED NATIONS
ABORTO: OTRO COMITE EXIGE LEGALIZARLO. Reacción del arzobispo de Malta.
Fuente: Committee on economic, social and cultural rights, Thirty-third session, Unedited version, E/C.12/1/Add.101 y 105, 26-11-04. (Vid entre otros NG 679). Por Juan BacigaluppiUna vez más un Comité de la ONU recomienda liberalizar la legislación que pena el aborto. Entre el 8 y el 26 de noviembre pasado, tuvo lugar la sesión 33 del Comité de seguimiento de la Convención Internacional sobre derechos económicos sociales y culturales, que fiscaliza la implementación de ese documento internacional. Entre las conclusiones el Comité recomendó a Chile y Malta liberalizar su legislación sobre aborto para permitirlo en caso de aborto terapéutico, violación e incesto. Siguiendo el vicio que se ha hecho común a todos los comités del sistema de Derechos Humanos de la ONU, este comité extralimitándose y abusando claramente de sus funciones, reinterpreta la Convención Internacional sobre derechos económicos, sociales y culturales, que no dice nada sobre el aborto, para exigirlo a los estados partes. Además el Comité recomendó a los países mencionados promover la igualdad de género "superando los estereotipos de género". En el caso de Chile se recomendó además, fortalecer el SERNAM, una agencia gubernamental que se ha convertido en promotora de la "reingeniería sexual de la ONU".
La oficina de relaciones públicas del Arzobispado de Malta rechazó enérgicamente la pretensión de la ONU.
Charles Buttigieg, vocero del arzobispo Joseph Mercieca, dijo entre otras cosas que "el derecho a la vida del ser humano inocente es un elemento constitutivo de la sociedad. En el momento en que la ley priva de esa protección a algunos seres humanos, el estado niega la igualdad ante la ley. El embrión debe ser tratado como una persona desde la concepción, con más cuidado si cabe, que cualquier otro ser humano".
NOTICIAS GLOBALES es un boletín de noticias sobre temas que se relacionan con la PROMOCIÓN Y DEFENSA DE LA VIDA HUMANA Y LA FAMILIA. Editor: Pbro. Dr. Juan Claudio Sanahuja; E-mail: noticiasglobales@hotmail.com . http://www.puertovida.com/noticiasglobales
SPAIN
Científicos de élite revelan que las células madre de embriones no son seguras y causan tumores (La Razón/Spagna)
La Razón, 01.12.2004: Aseguran que sólo las procedentes de otras partes del organismo han demostrado capacidad para curar
Actualmente, no hay ensayos clínicos en humanos con células madre embrionarias con resultados fiables: los estudios realizados en animales muestran que, tarde o temprano, estas células, capaces de transformarse en cualquier tejido, terminan desarrollando tumores en los animales de laboratorio. Así lo aseguraron expertos internacionales y nacionales en un simposio celebrado en la Fundación Areces, en Madrid. Sin renunciar a la investigación de estas células, afirmaron que las células madre de tejido adulto son más seguras y algunos ensayos en pacientes empiezan a dar sus frutos. (L. M. Ariza)
Madrid- Tumores y cáncer. A las seis semanas de la inyección de células madre embrionarias en los estudios con los ratones de laboratorio, el resultado es tan contundente como desalentador. «Por el conocimiento médico actual, las células embrionarias no son viables en la clínica», indicaba ayer la doctora Catherine Verfaillie, directora del Instituto de Células Madre Adultas de la Universidad de Minnesota (EE UU). Verfaillie participa en un simposio de varios expertos, organizado por la Fundación Ramón Areces en Madrid, sobre las posibilidades de las células madre adultas en la «medicina regenerativa».
Las células madre embrionarias o ES no han demostrado la misma seguridad que las adultas, que «se han inyectado en centenares de ratones, y no hemos visto que se hayan producido tumores dos años después de su administración», según esta experta. En contraste, las experiencias con células ES en ratones demuestran que «a las seis semanas de su inyección desarrollan tumores». La probabilidad de desarrollar un cáncer es más alta si se usa este tipo de células, dice Verfaillie, si bien, el riesgo existe para «cualquier célula que se cultive en el laboratorio por un periodo largo».
Aunque no hay conocimientos de ensayos en humanos con células ES, la administración de células madre adultas en ensayos en 40 pacientes no han desarrollado «ningún tumor» hasta la fecha. Lo que no quiere decir, de acuerdo con Verfaillie, que no se deban investigar con células ES, debido a la enorme plasticidad y potencial que exhiben a la hora de diferenciarse en cualquier tejido, aunque es posible que dentro de 20 años dejen de usarse. La estrategia es averiguar cómo lo hacen.
El cirujano cardíaco Christof Stamm, del Instituto de Terapia Regenerativa Tisular de la Universidad de Rostock, en Alemania, aseguró que la estrategia es minimizar el riesgo de las ES, modificándolas en células más especializadas para que den un tejido concreto antes de usarlas en los tratamientos. Christof trabaja con células madre adultas que fabrican vasos sanguíneos, cuyo potencial es enorme para tratar pacientes que han sufrido un infarto. En un ensayo en fase II que comprende a 36 pacientes que sufrieron un ataque al corazón, se les practicó un by-pass, y a la mitad se les administró células madre adultas para que construyeran nuevos vasos. En este último grupo, asegura, los resultados preliminares arrojan una mejoría con respecto al «by-pass» como única opción.
Otros campos en los que las células madre adulta están empezando a dar resultados se refieren a la cicatrización de heridas y las suturas en las intervenciones, de acuerdo con Damián García Olmo, del Departamento de Cirugía de la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid. «Es algo que no se ha resuelto en el mundo de la cirugía, sólo en Madrid hay más de mil intervenciones diarias», indica. García Olmo y su equipo trabajan en ensayos clínicos en el Hospital La Paz de Madrid con células madre extraídas de la grasa humana que intervienen en los procesos de cicatrización, en especial para tratar la fístula anal. Mediante el trasplante, «tratamos de aumentar la cantidad de estas células madre adultas», asegura.
© Copyright, 1999 La Razón C/Josefa Valcárcel 42, 28027 Madrid (España)
FRANCE
The French Parliament approves the law on end-of-life rights
Reuters..fr, Tue November 30, 2004 5:37 PM CETPARIS (Reuters) - Les députés français ont adopté à l'unanimité, en première lecture, la proposition de loi relative aux droits des malades et à la fin de vie, qui instaure un droit au "laisser mourir". Sur 551 votants, il y a eu 548 suffrages exprimés. Tous les groupes avaient appelé à voter ce texte qui avait été examiné vendredi dans un climat consensuel et dont le Sénat débattra à son tour en février ou mars.
"Désormais, avec cette loi, la fin de vie en France aura un autre visage, elle sera un moment de choix et plus un moment de soumission (...)", a dit Philippe Douste-Blazy, ministre des Solidarités, de la Santé et de la Famille. "Respecter la vie et accepter la mort, voilà ce dont nous devons légiférer aujourd'hui. Une mort humaine et digne est possible sans recourir à l'euthanasie. Il faut que les Français le sachent", a-t-il poursuivi.
Le ministre avait auparavant annoncé que 1.990 lits de soins palliatifs seraient ouverts "dans les deux prochaines années". En ce qui concerne les unités mobiles de soins palliatifs, aujourd'hui au nombre de 320, trente-cinq seront créées en 2005.
Le rapporteur de la commission spéciale chargée d'examiner le texte, l'UMP Jean Leonetti, a rappelé qu'une mission d'information avait été créée en octobre 2003 à l'Assemblée, après la mort du jeune tétraplégique Vincent Humbert, dont la mère Marie était vendredi et mardi dans les tribunes du public. Cette mission avait présenté le 30 juin dernier la proposition de loi.
Celle-ci repose sur trois axes: lutter contre la souffrance, refuser l'obstination déraisonnable, accroître le droit des malades. "Cette loi correspond à un équilibre entre le respect de la vie et le respect de la liberté", a dit Jean Leonetti. "Elle constituera un progrès pour les malades et les professions de santé."
"Cette proposition ne peut certes prétendre apporter des réponses complètes et définitives à une question douloureuse qui fait de chaque cas une exception", a déclaré le socialiste Gaëtan Gorce. "Mais elle fait franchir à notre société et à notre droit un pas considérable. Elle rejette d'abord le statu quo, ce statu quo insupportable, ce mur de silence et d'hypocrisie, ce refus de voir et de comprendre qui fait d'un geste d'amour et d'humanité un crime punissable par la loi", a-t-il ajouté.
"Cette proposition de loi permet de dépasser le conflit entre ceux qui pensaient pouvoir aller plus loin et ceux qui considéraient qu'il ne fallait rien changer à l'existant", a dit le communiste Michel Vaxès.
"Le groupe UDF vote cette proposition de loi (...) mais souhaiterait qu'à plus long terme elle puisse être réexaminée, réévaluée car peut-être d'autres modifications législatives seront nécessaires", a dit l'UDF Olivier Jardé.
Le texte, composé de quinze articles, dispose que les actes médicaux "ne doivent pas être poursuivis par une obstination déraisonnable". "Lorsqu'ils apparaissent inutiles, disproportionnés ou n'ayant d'autre effet que le seul maintien artificiel de la vie, ils peuvent être suspendus ou ne pas être entrepris. Dans ce cas, le médecin sauvegarde la dignité du mourant et assure la qualité de sa vie en dispensant les soins" prévus, ajoute-t-il.
La proposition de loi précise également que "si le médecin constate qu'il ne peut soulager la souffrance d'une personne, en phase avancée ou terminale, d'une affection grave et incurable, quelle qu'en soit la cause, qu'en lui appliquant un traitement qui peut avoir pour effet secondaire d'abréger sa vie, il doit en informer le malade". Si le patient est inconscient ou si, conscient, il a "exprimé le souhait d'être tenu dans l'ignorance du pronostic", le médecin doit informer la personne de confiance du malade, sa famille ou à défaut un de ses proches, la procédure suivie devant être inscrite dans le dossier médical.
Le texte prévoit également que toute personne majeure "peut rédiger des directives anticipées pour le cas où elle serait un jour hors d'état d'exprimer sa volonté", ces directives étant "révocables à tout moment". ~ © Reuters 2004
NETHERLANDS
Dutch euthanasia cases
Two recent test cases in the Netherlands have helped to clarify the distinction between murder and palliative care. In the first, the Dutch Supreme Court rejected an appeal by an Amsterdam GP, Dr Wilfred van Oijen against a charge of murder. He had an 84- year-old patient in a coma who was expected to die within 48 hours. He injected 50 mg of alcuronium and soon afterwards she died. Dr van Oijen's defence was that this "help with dying" was palliative care. However, the Supreme Court rejected this argument. Because the patient was in coma, she was not suffering, and because she had not requested euthanasia, his "life-ending treatment" was murder. He was sentenced to one week in prison suspended for two years.
In the other case, a junior hospital doctor was acquitted after he increased the dose of morphine administered to a dying patient with breathing difficulties. As the patient's condition worsened, the doctor gave him midazolam and shortly thereafter he died. The doctor was arrested. The Supreme Court found that the drugs he used could shorten a patient's life, but in this case the doctor did not intend to do so. ~ BMJ.com, Nov 20
KOREA
Koreans claim that adult stem cells have cured paralysed woman
Researchers at Chosun University in South Korea claim that stem cells from umbilical cord blood injected into the spine of a woman paralysed for 19 years have helped her to walk again. The stem cells were injected on October 12 and within three weeks, she took her first steps with the help of a walker. Professor Song Chang-hun says that the technique will be tested on four more patients soon. The results will be published next year.
Another researcher, Professor Kang Kyung-sun, told the Korea Times that cord blood stem cells were superior in this case because they did not carry ethical baggage and did not create cancerous teratomas, as embryonic stem cells sometimes do. "Embryonic stem cells are omni-potent in that they can divide into anything, even including a tumour cell. But cord blood stem cells are developed enough not to cause such troubles while retaining as powerful a differentiation capacity at the same time."
And in the US, researchers at the University of California Reeve- Irvine Research Center have used mouse embryonic stem cells to create myelin, the insulating tissue for nerve cells. This raises hopes, they say, that people with spinal cord injury can recover some movement and sensation. ~ Korean Times, Nov 26; Medical News Today, Nov 23
SWITZERLAND
Switzerland gives green light to embryonic stem cell research
A nationwide referendum on embryonic stem cell research passed easily in Switzerland on Sunday with the support of two-thirds of the voters. Debates there had mirrored the pattern in other countries, with an alliance of religious, pro-life and green groups clashing with science and industry groups. The referendum was strongly supported by the Swiss pharmaceutical and biotech sector which, along with healthcare, accounts for about one-third of the total capitalisation of the Zurich stock exchange. Novartis and Roche, two of the world's largest drug companies, are based in Switzerland. Under the new legislation, stem cell production will be limited to embryos not more than 7 days old; therapeutic cloning, embryo trading and research on embryos themselves are all banned. ~ Financial Times, Nov 28
HONG KONG
Des médecins catholiques de Hongkong sont à l'oeuvre pour la formation sanitaire dans le Diocèse de Taunggyi au Myanmar
Hongkong (Agence Fides) - Une équipe de 4 médecins et 1 laïc de Hongkong sont rentrés dernièrement à Hongkong après une mission au Myanmar, où ils ont formé des missionnaires et des infirmiers dans le Diocèse de Taunggyi, le plus pauvre du Pays.
Ils ont raconté leur expérience missionnaire à l'occasion d'une fête organisée récemment dans la chapelle Saint Ignace par l'Association des Médecins catholiques de Hongkong, en collaboration avec l'Associations des Infirmières catholiques, et de la Commission Diocésaine pour la Pastorale sanitaire.
Pendant la Rencontre, un des médecins a déclaré : « Cela a été une expérience très intéressante. Les gens et les missionnaires, les religieuses surtout, sont très pauvres. La médecine est un luxe absolu pour eux. Même avec une simple infection intestinale, il est possible de mourir. Ils ne peuvent attendre la mort qu'en priant. Dans la communauté, il y a une atmosphère d'amour et de charité particulière envers les malades ». Tous les médecins ont confirmé que, en apportant leur aide aux gens de Taunggyi, ils avaient reçu en échange un grand enseignement de foi et un beau témoignage.
(Agence Fides, 2 décembre 2004, 19 lignes, 205 mots)
UNITED KINGDOM
The Sunday Times, 12.12.2004
Sarah-Kate TempletonBRITAIN'S leading medical ethics expert has suggested that the frail and elderly should consider suicide to stop them becoming a financial burden on their families and society. Baroness Warnock spoke on the eve of a Commons debate on the Mental Capacity Bill, which critics claim will allow "euthanasia by the back door".
In an interview with The Sunday Times, she said: "I know I'm not really allowed to say it, but one of the things that would motivate me [to die] is I couldn't bear hanging on and being such a burden on people. "In other contexts, sacrificing oneself for one's family would be considered good. I don't see what is so horrible about the motive of not wanting to be an increasing nuisance". "If I went into a nursing home it would be a terrible waste of money that my family could use far better."
Warnock, 80, a Lords' cross-bencher who helped frame Britain's legalisation on embryo research, also suggests that parents of premature babies should be charged to keep them on life support machines if doctors write off their chances of leading a healthy life. "Maybe it has come down to saying 'Okay, they can stay alive but the family will have to pay for it.' Otherwise it will be an awful drain on public resources," she said. Warnock sat on a Lords select committee which agreed on a ban on euthanasia in 1993, but last year she conceded that the law needed to be reviewed.
Warnock's views are of considerable significance as she sat on an influential Lords select committee that agreed on a complete ban on euthanasia in 1993. Last year, however, she and two other peers on the committee conceded that the law needed to be reviewed and backed a private member's bill permitting assisted suicide for the terminally ill. Warnock has previously admitted that a GP enabled her own husband, Geoffrey, a former vice-chancellor of Oxford University, to die peacefully using morphine in 1995 after he was incapacitated by a lung condition.
She said that her volte face on euthanasia was also influenced by the case of Diane Pretty, who suffered from motor neurone disease and unsuccessfully fought a legal battle to allow her husband to help her take her life. "That really moved me to think we must change the law," said Warnock.
The bill gives legal backing to "living wills", enabling patients to refuse treatment in the event of their becoming incapacitated.
Claire Rayner, president of the Patients Association, has written a living will instructing doctors not to give her life-saving treatment if she is given only three months to live or suffers brain damage following a stroke. Her husband, Des, has written a similar document. Rayner, 73, who supports the Mental Capacity Bill, has demanded in her will that a "Do not resuscitate" notice be placed above her hospital bed if she loses the ability to speak or write.
The former nurse and agony aunt said: "If I have brain damage because I have had a stroke, that would be absolutely awful. Not being able to express myself, to talk or write, would be just awful. "If the doctors feel that my time has come and my life expectancy is no more than three months, I don't want them interfering. I don't want them taking any action if I have a cardiac arrest or if I have respiratory failure. I do not want to be resuscitated . . . it is my decision, not their decision."
Copyright 2004 Times Newspapers Ltd.
http://www.sunday-times.co.ukSPAIN / UNITED KINGDOM
FIAMC Assails "Complicity" in Illegal Abortions and asks British and Spanish Parliaments to Intervene on the Ginemedex case, the Barcelona clinic for late illegal abortions on British women
UDINE, Italy, NOV. 2, 2004 (Zenit.org).- A Catholic medical group has appealed to the British and Spanish parliaments to stop illegal abortions that have been taking place in Barcelona with the "complicity" of both countries.
"Illegal late abortions in Catalonia, with the complicity of British agencies and tolerated by the local government -- where is Europe?" asked Dr. Gian Luigi Gigli, president of the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations, in a recent note.
The federation, widely known by its French acronym FIAMC, represents 30,000 doctors in more than 50 countries.
The Catholic Medical Association of Catalonia, a member of FIAMC, suspected for many years "that some clinics in Barcelona were performing late and very late abortions, outside of any control by public authorities," the doctor explained.
With the collaboration of two undercover reporters of the Sunday Telegraph newspaper in Britain, the Catholic doctors of Catalonia "have been able to prove with a video recording an international criminal network for late abortions, to which British women were referred by government agencies," he said.
Daniel Foggo and Charlotte Edwardes are the two reporters who obtained from the Ginemedex clinic of Barcelona "the issuing of false documents which attested a gynecologic emergency, in order to bypass the legal terms and perform the abortion of a 26-week-old healthy baby," FIAMC said in a note.
Gigli said: "The extension of the criminal network for illegal abortions appears clearly from the recorded conversations, with many women in advanced pregnancy filmed while waiting for their turn. The complicity of British governmental agencies in referring women patients to Barcelona for illegal abortions is also uncovered."
The Sunday Telegraph report "clearly documents the growing business of late abortions and the inertia of Spanish authorities in controlling illegal abortions and 'abortion tourism,'" he added. "It also documents the abortion oriented mentality of official British agencies, such as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service."
"Appalled" by the viewing of the video, FIAMC said it "urgently asks the British and Spanish parliaments to intervene and pressure their respective governments in order to stop these kinds of crimes."
FIAMC also called "on the European Union to take a strong stand against the misconducts" documented in Spain and the United Kingdom.
Dr. Gigli stressed that FIAMC "denounces the crimes against innocent lives caused by the business of abortion tourism and the dangers posed by late abortions to the health of mothers, ignored by the British Pregnancy Advisory Service."
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SPAIN / UNITED KINGDOM
Ginemedex, the Barcelona clinic for late illegal abortions on British women, discovered by the Catalunyan Catholic Doctors and the Sunday Telegraph, arrives to the Spanish Parliament
Recogemos íntegramente las cuestiones elevadas por José Eugenio Azpiroz al Congreso de los Diputados. Mientras tanto, ninguna autoridad en Cataluña se da por aludida.
Del caso del centro abortista Ginemedex, de Barcelona, que según la prensa inglesa realiza cotidianamente abortos tardíos e ilegales, lo más asombroso es que las autoridades británicas lo investigan, mientras que las autoridades catalanas se desentienden. En Madrid, en el Congreso de los Diputados, un diputado del PP ha emitido la siguiente pregunta por escrito al Gobierno, y la recogemos por completo.
José Eugenio Azpiroz Villar, diputado por Guipúzcoa perteneciente al Grupo Parlamentario Popular en el Congreso, al amparo de lo dispuesto en el artículo 185 y ss., del Reglamento de la Cámara, tiene el honor de formular la siguiente pregunta al Gobierno de la que desea obtener respuesta por escrito.
El pasado lunes 11 de Octubre de 2004 los diarios THE TIMES y EL MUNDO referían una información, publicada días atrás por el THE DAILY TELEGRAPH inglés, según la cual en la clínica Ginemedex de Barcelona se viene practicando el aborto de jóvenes británicas con más de veinticuatro semanas de gestación; especialmente se relata el caso de la reportera del DAILY TELEGRAPH Charlote Edwardes a la que con 26 semanas de gestación dicha clínica le ofreció abortar, aún no existiendo ningún fundamento médico de riesgo vital para la madre, dispuesta a falsificar &endash; según refieren - documentos médicos para ello ya que "juegan" con la Ley llegando a realizar en dicha clínica abortos de hasta treinta semanas. Tal cuestión está provocando un escándalo y preocupación social en el Reino Unido ( donde el aborto está totalmente prohibido a partir de las veinticuatro semanas ) preveyéndose &endash; incluso &endash; la comparecencia del Ministro de Sanidad ante el Parlamento británico.
Más recientemente los diarios ABC y LA RAZÓN o la revista ÉPOCA han informado a la opinión pública que por lo menos cinco clínicas, entre ellas la anteriormente citada, practican abortos hasta la vigésimo sexta semana de gestación (alguna incluso hasta la 30) y que miles de extranjeras abortan ilegalmente en España. La revista ÉPOCA informa, en su número de 15-21 de octubre de 2004, que más de mil inglesas y otras extranjeras abortan ilegalmente en España.
Este mismo mes, el día 22, ForumLibertas.com informó de que el SUNDAY TELEGRAPH continua destapando la impunidad de la clínica Ginemedex en la que según reconoce ( eso sí, ante la cámara oculta ) la ginecóloga inglesa de origen indio Dra. Saroj Adlakha se practicó el abortó ilegal de una joven embarazada de 31 semanas de gestación, hija de una colega a la que acompañó a Barcelona a tal fin.
La cuestión está provocando numerosas reacciones en el Reino Unido y las autoridades han prometido una investigación del Chief Medical Officer, Sr. Liam Donalson.
En nuestro país la sensación, evidencia generalizada en una importante parte de la sociedad, de que se practican abortos ilegales a nacionales y extranjeras con total impunidad se traduce ya al día de hoy en un tránsito de la evidencia a las pruebas sobre todo las obtenidas por los diversos reporteros, entre otros los del Reino Unido. La propia Consejera de Sanidad de la Generalitat de Cataluña ( HazteOir.org del 15 de octubre) admite la posibilidad de que se hayan cometido delitos.
Las monstruosas prácticas abortivas matando bestialmente a bebes "in utero" de modo presuntamente ilegal, e injustificado médicamente por no estar en riesgo la vida de la madre, apuntan claramente a la clínica Ginemedex perteneciente a la agrupación de clínicas Barnamedic y sin duda, también presunta pero cada día con más certidumbre, se apunta a otros centros y clínicas abortivas de nuestro país.
A la vista de tales aberraciones, deseamos conocer sobre las clínicas y centros abortivos ubicados en España lo siguiente:
1. Si la Fiscalía General del Estado, o sus órganos dependientes, están actuando al respecto. En caso positivo deseamos conocer toda la información que legalmente se nos pueda proporcionar.
2. Si todavía no se han iniciado la acciones legales pertinentes ¿cuándo se piensan iniciar?, ¿o acaso no se tiene previsto actuar…?
3. Ante la presunta concurrencia de supuestos delictivos graves ¿se va a adoptar alguna medida cautelar que evite la comisión de abortos ilegales como los denunciados por la prensa?
4. En su caso, ¿se han requerido por los cauces judiciales procedentes los elementos probatorios que los reporteros manifiestan poseer?
5. ¿Han solicitado las autoridades correspondientes del Reino Unido alguna información sobre la cuestión a las autoridades competentes españolas....?
6. ¿Ha existido alguna denuncia de la Generalitat o de algún organismo o persona pública o privada al respecto?
Madrid a 30 de Noviembre de 2004
UNITED KINGDOM
A right to die? I'm more concerned that everyone has the right to live (The Times/U.K.)
The Times, 02.12.2004, Jane CampbellDEVASTATING is not too strong a word to describe the experience I had in January last year when I was admitted to hospital for emergency treatment. I was suffering from severe pneumonia, but I also have spinal muscular atrophy, a muscle-wasting condition which means I cannot lift my head from the pillow unaided and need to use a powered wheelchair.
The consultant who was treating me commented that I was very ill and that if I went into respiratory failure he assumed that I would not want to be resuscitated on a ventilator. When I said that of course I would want to be ventilated, he looked puzzled but appeared to let the matter drop.
The next day a more senior consultant repeated the same message; that if I went into respiratory failure - and this was looking likely - then he assumed that I wouldn't want to be put on a ventilator. Again I protested, and by then I was getting very scared. My husband rushed home, grabbed a photograph of me in my doctoral graduation robes, and returned to the hospital shouting to the doctors: "This is my wife, not the person you think she is. She has everything to live for. You do everything for her just as you would for anybody in this situation."
It took this confrontation to bring about a change of attitude in the way I was treated. However, I kept myself awake for the next 48 hours, fearful that if I went to sleep I would never wake up. This incident, and similar ones that come to the attention of the Disability Rights Commission, reflect society's view that people such as myself live flawed and unsustainable lives and that death is preferable to living with a severe impairment.
A High Court judge this week lifted a temporary injunction banning a "suicide" trip to Switzerland by a chronically sick woman and her husband. Mrs Z is suffering from the same condition as Leslie Burke, a man who went to the same court in the summer to insist that doctors continue to support him even when he can no longer feed himself. Many will symphathise with the wishes of Mrs Z, but her choice overshadows Mr Burke's fears that doctors will prematurely end his life. Little attention is given to those of us who feel incredibly threatened by the move towards a right to die when what we want is the right to live.
Over the past few years, the campaign for euthanasia has gained momentum, as can be seen in the Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill which is being debated in the House of Lords. The momentum comes from people who do not want to die in pain or become a burden. It is also driven by a culture which, despite advances in modern medicine, still dreads any impairment that may reduce physical or mental capacity - including ageing. Those of us who look physically different challenge society 's obsession with the body beautiful and looking and staying healthy.
When I was born, my mother was advised to take me home and enjoy me as I would die within a year. As can happen with the prognosis of terminal conditions the doctors got it wrong. Although I was often unwell, mostly with life-threatening chest infections, I thrived in a positive medical environment. Happily, some 40 years later, I remain very much alive.
So before we consider regulating the process of dying we need to deal with deeply held prejudices about the quality of life of people such as myself and those with a so-called terminal illness. When I was admitted to hospital with pneumonia I was viewed as someone near death, but I survived to carry on chairing the Social Care Institute for Excellence. "Terminal illness" is not easy to define. More than a quarter of doctors who authorise assisted deaths in Oregon said that they were not confident they could give an accurate six-month prognosis.
While the Bill aims to address the needs of patients in the last stage of their lives, I am concerned about the underlying message that death is the preferable solution for people severely incapacitated or in pain. Much the same message is being communicated to older people who fear being a burden, eating into the family's financial or human resources, and to terminally ill and disabled people with inadequate medical and social support.
Assisted dying should be given as a choice only if good quality palliative and social care becomes available across the whole country. At present this kind of support is patchy at best. Less than half the people who wish to die at home are able to do so and in a recent survey, two thirds of doctors believed that there would be less pressure for euthanasia if there were more resources for the hospice movement. Little wonder some might choose death in the absence of such support. If my electric wheelchair, my adapted home, my accessible van and my personal care assistants were taken away from me tomorrow, I might well conclude that my life was intolerable. But with them I am able to enjoy a high-quality life.
The British Medical Association (BMA) has stated that the benefits of legalising assisted dying for an individual - such as respecting that person's wishes - carry too high a potential cost for society at large. The BMA fears that assisted dying could undermine the trust that vulnerable, elderly, disabled or very ill patients have in the healthcare system.
Being coerced into assisted suicide could so easily happen. I heard of a 59-year-old woman who was very ill. Her family appeared concerned about her pain and constantly asked for her diamorphine to be increased. The medical team was unconvinced that the pain was so severe and the patient declined higher doses. Her 60th birthday passed with minimal celebration, after which the family rarely visited. Her fixed-term life insurance policy had expired.
Physical and mental diversity are part of the human condition and most of us will have to face up to terminal illness before we die. But I will feel safe only when we recognise the benefits of a society which treats disabled people as equals and views difference positively. Only then will freedom of choice be meaningful.
Jane Campbell is a commissioner for the Disability Rights Commission
Copyright 2004 Times Newspapers Ltd.: http://www.thetimes.co.uk
ITALY / VATICAN
John Paul II's Prescription for "Genuine" Medicine Message to the Italian Catholic Doctors Association
Vatican City, Nov. 16, 2004 (Zenit.org).- John Paul II says that doctors who are aware of the very nature of man and the inviolable dignity of the person can be real "promoters of civilization."
The Pope expressed this in a message to Domenico Di Virgilio, president of the Italian Catholic Doctors' Association, on the occasion of the group's national congress, held Oct. 11-13 in Bari. The theme of the congress was "Medicine and Human Dignity: Doctors, Promoters of Health and Instruments of Salvation."
"Medicine genuinely understood," which cannot "give in to discriminations, [.] speaks the universal language of sharing, of listening to all men without distinction, and of accepting all to relieve the suffering of each one," the Holy Father stated in his letter.
To realize this, medicine "cannot do without an attentive reflection on the very nature of man, created by God in his image and likeness," the Pope wrote. "The dignity of man finds its foundation not only in the mystery of creation, but also in the redemption wrought by Jesus Christ," he added.
"If the origin of man is in itself the foundation of his dignity, so is his end: Man is called to be a 'son in the Son' and a living temple of the Spirit, in the perspective of eternal life of beatifying communion with God," John Paul II wrote.
"Man is the center and culmination of everything that exists on earth. No other visible being possesses his same dignity," and as "a conscious and free subject he can never be reduced to a simple instrument," he continued.
Thus, "the inviolable dignity of the person must be affirmed with force and consistency today more than ever," the Pope added. "One cannot speak of human beings who are no longer persons or who have yet to become persons. Personal dignity belongs radically to each human being and no disparity is acceptable or justifiable."
Reminding doctors of the ethical principles whose roots are in the Hippocratic oath itself, the Pope emphasized that "there are no lives that are not worthy of being lived," or sufferings "that can justify the suppression of a life," or reasons "that make plausible the 'creation' of human beings destined to be used and destroyed."
"May you always be inspired in your options by the conviction that life must be promoted and defended from its conception to its natural end," he exhorted. "What will make you be recognized as Catholic doctors will be, precisely, the defense of the inviolable dignity of every human person."
John Paul II also said to the doctors that, in protecting and promoting health, they must never neglect "the spiritual dimension of man." "If, in seeking to cure and relieve suffering you keep very present the meaning of life and death and the function of pain in the human vicissitude, you will succeed in being genuine promoters of civilization," the Pope said.
The Holy Father cautioned the doctors about the existence in society of "an arrogant mentality which presumes to discriminate between life and life, forgetting that the sole truly human response in face of the other's suffering is love that lavishes itself in support and sharing."
The Pope warned about the risk that scientific progress in medicine might be "subjected to the desire to overwhelm and dominate," losing its original vocation oriented to man's good.
In this context, "the Christian view of service to a suffering neighbor cannot but be useful to the correct exercise of a profession of fundamental social relevance" and to "biomedical research," he said.
"Be proud of the Christian identity that has characterized you in these 60 years of service to the sick and the promotion of life," the Pope said. "Be able to recognize Christ himself in every sick person. . Vivify your service with constant prayer to God," from whom ultimately healing comes.
Finally, the Pope exhorted that "heart" be added to the "irreplaceable contribution" of the exercise of medicine, as the heart is "capable of humanizing structures."
Founded in 1944, the Italian Catholic Doctors' Association aims to facilitate the moral, scientific and professional formation of doctors, to promote medical-moral studies in faithful respect of the Church's magisterium, and to sustain charitable, evangelizing and collaborative activities with other voluntary and aid associations.
ZE04111602
SPAIN
http://www.forumlibertas.com/Documentos 25/11/2004
Médicos católicos europeos alertan en Barcelona sobre "la ola de laicismo que sufre Europa"Las víctimas del aborto y la eutanasia son ejemplos de los nuevos muertos que causa esta nueva ideología
Barcelona acogió el pasado fin de semana la reunión de la junta directiva de la Federación Europea de Asociaciones Médicas Católicas (FEAMC), con Médicos Cristianos de Cataluña como anfitriona. Se reunieron médicos del Norte y del Sur, del Este y del Oeste. Es especialmente destacable la presencia del presidente de la secular Hermandad Médico-Farmacéutica San Cosme y San Damián de Burgos y Madrid, Alejandro Ridruejo. España también se mueve.
Durante los días de la reunión, se pudo constatar una curiosa unanimidad: Europa sufre una ola de laicismo, una pujante ideología que pretende desalojar al cristianismo del Viejo Continente. En el siglo XX, Europa padeció el marxismo y el nazismo-fascismo, ambos generadores de millones de muertos e ingentes sufrimientos y también radicalmente anticristianos. El nazismo, a pesar de pretender hacer creer que "Dios estaba con ellos", era un régimen pagano que despreciaba a la persona humana y al catolicismo y que era proclive a consultar con adivinos incluso las maniobras militares... Lo conocía muy bien el Papa Pío XII, que había sido nuncio en Alemania. Y fueron los norteamericanos los que nos sacaron entonces del atolladero…
Hoy, el laicismo substituye a las anteriores ideologías y también combate al cristianismo. Además, causa millones de muertos. Son los millones de muertos a los que no se permite nacer, los de la eutanasia (en Holanda, el 50 por ciento de los casos son involuntarios, según datos oficiales) y los muertos por la permisividad de la droga. El laicismo causa muertos y recorta libertades. Cuesta ya en todas partes expresarse libremente sobre algunos temas como la homosexualidad (por cierto, que la práctica de la homosexualidad no es antropológicamente correcta), los signos de nuestra Tradición cristiana se quitan hasta de la nueva constitución y sólo en 4 países europeos es posible formarse legalmente como ginecólogo sin tener que practicar abortos.
En el caso de la Medicina, aunque se pretenda disimular (el laicismo se sirve de las buenas maneras), lo terrible es que cada vez se ve más al paciente como un pozo de petróleo que se explota hasta que se seca. Las ideologías que dominaron la primera mitad del siglo XX se fundamentaron en una parte de verdad. Por ejemplo, los trabajadores eran frecuentemente explotados, y el comunismo esto lo sabía. Pero fue mucho peor el supuesto remedio que la enfermedad. También el laicismo puede argumentar en su favor. Sin embargo, lejos quedan los tiempos en que las iglesias -todas- agobiaban a la gente. Hoy se tiene conciencia de que Dios quiere creyentes absolutamente voluntarios. No se puede ser cristiano a la fuerza como no se puede practicar una religión sin ritos públicos.
Combatir el laicismo es luchar por el hombre y por la libertad. Ya se comprende que la laicidad, entendida como la separación legítima entre la Iglesia y el Estado, y el respeto por las creencias de todos son necesarios y deseables. No tiene con el laicismo más que ver que su raíz lingüística. La laicidad respeta las conciencias a la vez que las creencias. La laicidad respeta la vida y la propiedad. Laicidad es libertad. El laicismo, que no deja de ser un credo, como todo esquema de ideas, es una ideología alienadora. Por eso los médicos católicos europeos coincidieron a la hora de asegurar que "debe ser combatido y derrotado".
Dr. Josep Maria Simón Castellví, Vicepresidente de la Federación Europea de Asociaciones Médicas Católicas (FEAMC)
UKRAINA
Ukrainian Catholic Doctors on the local political sitution
"The political situation in Ukraine has become tense. For the past five days, one million people from all provinces of Ukraine have gathered in the capital of Kyiw and in other cities, vigorously protesting the government's falsification of the results of the recent presidential elections. The government controlled election commission declared Victor Yanukovich, a representative of the incumbent corrupt administration, winner of the election, in spite of the overwhelming evidence of election fraud found unanimously by election observers, including an international body of representatives from the European Union and the United States.
The Association of Catholic Physicians of Ukraine, a member of FIAMC, is deeply concerned about this violation of human rights and the perversion of the democratic process, as well as the possible bloody consequences of a confrontation between the peaceful demonstrators and armed units of the government's law enforcement agencies. The Ukrainian Federation asks all Catholic physicians in the world to immediately contact their own governments and ask them to demand from the current President of Ukraine, Mr. Leonid Kuchma, a prompt investigation of the falsified election results. An honest and impartial review of the elections will reveal Victor Yushchenko the winner of the election, expressing the will of the majority of the Ukrainian people.
We also ask for your prayers in this time of national crisis in Ukraine"
Dr. Jurij Dasho, President of the Ukrainian Association of Catholic Physicians
Rev. Protopresbyter Hryhorij Hrynkiw, OSBM,Ecclasiastical Assistant of the AssociationBOOKS
Norman M. Ford and Michael Herbert
STEM CELLS: Science, Medicine, Law and Ethics
St. Pauls Publications, 2003The last work of Fr. Norman Ford, written together with Michael Herbert, is a small book on the hottest topic of modern bio-medical sciences and of bioethics: stem cells. In a 111 pages the two authors report the "facts" of a difficult and controversial field with plain language, clear concepts and unbiased descriptions.
After a concise revision of stem cells biology, the Australian authors report the clinical achievements with stem cells in regenerative medicine and the risks and problems still needing an answer. Very interesting is also the description of the doors that research on stem cells opens on developmental mechanisms, gene therapy, control of neoplastic proliferation, testing of new drugs.
International governmental policies on human embryo research are outlined in a dedicated section.
Finally, the ethical problems of stem cells research are presented, with a sharp choice of the personalistic ethics and of the catholic teachings, but also with a clear presentation of the materialistic and utilitarian views.
This small book is enriched with a list of internet resources on stem cells research and related topics, with the clear glossary for non-experts and with an updated bibliography for scientist, medical doctors and bioethicists.
A simple tool, to be recommended for cultural enrichment and sound doctrine, able to unveil many fashionable myths and mystifications.
An order form to purchase this book may be found on the Caroline Chisholm Centre for Health Ethics own website:
http://www.chisholm.healthethics.com.au (Click announcements)