Swift enactment of this legislation is necessary due to a seriously flawed ruling by U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno… The ruling asserts that Oregon, by rescinding its own civil and criminal penalties for assisting the suicides of certain patients, has established assisted suicide as a “legitimate medical practice” within Oregon’s borders — and that the federal government lacks any basis for disagreeing with this judgment. Under this ruling, however, federal intervention by the Drug Enforcement Administration in Oregon “may well be warranted” in cases where a physician “fails to comply with state procedures” regarding how and when to assist suicides. Federal law will protect the lives only of those deemed by the state to be “ineligible” for assisted suicide.
The Oregon assisted suicide law, in and of itself, poses an enormous threat to human dignity and to equal protection of all citizens under law. While continuing to forbid assistance in the suicide of a young and healthy person, this law rescinds criminal, civil and professional penalties for a doctor who assists the suicide of someone he or she believes “in good faith” to have six months to live. Ironically, once this “good faith” judgment is made it will never be proved wrong, because the patient will be dead from a drug overdose in a few days. Oregon’s discriminatory policy stigmatizes an entire class of vulnerable patients as having lives not worth protecting. For this reason it has been found unconstitutional by the only federal court to review Oregon’s law on the merits. See Lee v. Oregon, 891 F.Supp. 1429 (D. Or. 1995), vacated on other grounds, 107 F.3d 1382 (9th Cir. 1997), cert. denied, 118 S. Ct. 328 (1997).
Current federal policy demands an increased penalty when the victim of a crime is seriously ill or otherwise “unusually vulnerable” (United States Sentencing Commission, Guidelines Manual, p. 227, § 3A1.1). How, then, can the federal government now adjust its penalties under the Controlled Substances Act to confirm and enforce Oregon’s discriminatory policy on assisted suicide — where the vulnerable condition of the victim turns a crime into a “legitimate medical practice”?
Any “states’ rights” argument on this issue is contradicted by the plain language and intent of the federal Controlled Substances Act.
The True Risk Which Abortion Involves abortion argumentative persuasive
The True Risk Which Abortion Involves Over 750 papers have been published regarding the risks to abortive women. Women fall into one of two categories: normal risk or high risk. This essay, which uses a well-documented approach with the best medical opinion available, treats both groups. Several types of women are at significantly higher risk for post-abortion problems. They should be particularly aware of the greater potential for complications. Women under 20 experience a 2 times greater risk of medical complications than for women aged 25-29 (CJPH 73 (1982): 396-400). 1 in 24 (4.1%) have experienced immediate medical complications. (These have included severe bleeding, infection, perforation of the uterus, and part of the baby being retained.)(CJPH 73 (1982):396-400. 150% greater risk of cervical injury than for women over 30 years of age(NEJM 309 (1983):621-4). Women who’ve had a previous abortion 200% increased risk of miscarriage after two or more abortions (JAMA 243 (1980): 2495-9). 160% increased risk of tubal pregnancy (AJPH 72 (1982): 253-6). Increased risk of abnormal positioning of the baby in future pregnancies. (AJOG 146 (1983):136-40). Women with previous or existing pelvic infections (PID) experience a decrease in fertility following an abortion (Acta 58 (1979): 539-42). More days of post-abortion pain (Acta 61 (1982): 357-60). Increased risk of tubal pregnancy following an abortion (AJPH 72 (1982):253-6). This brochure is not long enough to list the more than 750 references in medical literature, each of which indicate serious complications to legalized abortion. Women with normal risk factors, following legal abortion, may have the following complications: Breast cancer: Recent studies have pointed out that there is what some might term a “dramatic relationship” between the rate of abortion and the rising incidence of breast cancer among women who have aborted. In fact, as the rate of abortion rises in America, so does the rate of breast cancer, with the most increased rate being among those women who have had abortions (Somerville, Wilke). Post-abortion grief: This has been identified in numerous studies as a serious complication of induced abortion (Human Medicine). Acute grief reaction: Experienced by 3 in 4 (77%) if abortion is for genetic reasons (BMJ 290 (1985): 907-09). Emotional and physical disturbances: Experienced by 1 in 2 (50%). These disturbances may last for months (may include depression, insomnia, nervousness, guilt, and regret) (McGovern). Complications in future pregnancies: Experienced by 1 in 4 (24.3%). May include excessive bleeding, premature delivery, cervical damage, and sterility (Acta 58 (1979): 491-4). Pelvic inflammatory disease: (PID) A first-trimester abortion can result in bacterial vaginosis, leading to PID–a condition that must be treated (AJOG 166 (1992): 100-103). Uterine perforations: It can well occur that uterine perforations go unrecognized and untreated (Bernadell). Breast cancer: 140% increased risk following a abortion (BJC 43 (1981):72-6). Tubal pregnancy: Legal abortion appears to contribute to an increase in ectopic pregnancy in younger women when associated with pelvic inflammatory disease (AJOG 160 (1989): 642-6). 30% increased risk after one abortion. 160% increased risk after two or more abortions (AJPH 72 (1982):253-6). Placenta previa: A condition producing extremely severe, life-threatening bleeding in future pregnancies. 600% increased risk following an abortion (AJOG 141 (1981): 769-72). Decreased maternal bonding: The loss of a baby through abortion may cause a mother to be less affectionate toward future children and may contribute to child abuse (CJP 24 (1979): 610-20). Increased bleeding during subsequent pregnancies (AJOG 146 (1983): 136-40). Retention of placenta: Increase during subsequent pregnancies (Acta 58 (1979: 485-90). The Rutherford Institute, 1-804-978-3888, has a complete listing in “Major Articles and Books Concerning the Detrimental Effects of Abortion.” Alternatives: If you are going through a difficult time with your pregnancy, there are people who want to help you: Bethany Christian Services (800) 238-4269 Birthright USA National Office (800) 550-4900 Care Net (703) 237-2100 The National Life Center, Inc. (800) 848-LOVE (5683) The Nuturing Network (800) TNN-4MOM (866-4666) WORKS CITED Acta/Obstetrics and Gynecology Scandinavia 58 (1979):485-90 Acta/Obstetrics and Gynecology Scandinavia 58 (1979):491-4 Acta/Obstetrics and Gynecology Scandinavia 58 (1979): 539-42 Acta/Obstetrics and Gynecology Scandinavia 61 (1982): 357-60 American Journal of Obstetrics