Reuters Health is reporting research from Japan showing that people who don’t think life is worth living are more likely to die within the next few years. In other words, joyful people live longer.

My Take?

Reuters is reporting that experts are clashing over the safety of the cholesterol drug Vytorin as full results from a controversial study were presented at Europe’s biggest medical congress. Researchers involved in the so-called SEAS study – highlights of which were first released in July – said there was no credible evidence linking Vytorin to cancer and that the higher number of cases seen in the trial was simply a fluke.

My Take?

Fox News is commenting on a study published in the August 27 issue of JAMA in which medical researchers say that one-fifth of Ayurvedic herbal medicines sold on the Internet contain dangerously high levels of lead, arsenic and mercury. How’s a consumer to protect themselves?

My Take?

USA Today is reporting that California’s high court on Monday barred doctors from withholding ethically questionable medical procedures to gays and lesbians based on religious beliefs, ruling that state law prohibiting sexual orientation discrimination extends to the medical profession. The ruling was unanimous, a contrast to the state Supreme Court’s 4-3 schism in May legalizing gay marriage.

My Take?

LifeSiteNews.com is reporting that Barack Obama and National Right to Life went head-to-head over Obama’s abortion record, and the Democratic presidential candidate now has backed off his claims that pro-life advocates were “lying” over his vote to kill a bill that would have prevented infanticide in Illinois. Obama’s campaign now acknowledges he “misrepresented” his position.

My Take?

Gary Bauer says, “Senator Barack Obama may be the most extreme pro-abortion candidate ever nominated for president of the United States by a major political party.” How extreme? When Pastor Rick Warren asked Obama at this weekend’s Saddleback forum, “Have you EVER voted to limit or reduce abortions,” Obama used 200 words of fluffy rhetoric to hide his real answer –- “No!” 

My Take?

LifeNews.com is reporting that the Barack Obama campaign is changing its story again about why the pro-abortion presidential candidate voted against a bill that would have required adequate medical care for babies who survive botched abortions. 

My Take?

LifeNews.com is reporting that during the presidential forum on Saturday night, pro-abortion presidential candidate Barack Obama repeated the erroneous claim that abortions have not declined under President Bush. The idea behind is the claim is to make it appear that pro-life policies don’t reduce abortions.

My Take?

LifeSiteNews.com is reporting an article by pro-abortion leader Francis Kissling in which she acknowledging that the new Democratic party platform favors the cause of abortion and sex education, even more so than in previous years. Kissling notes that the new platform “derives its moral authority from ‘a woman’s right to choose safe and legal abortion’”, unlike older ones that spoke merely of “privacy.”

My Take?

For years the Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA) has been advocating in Washington, DC for the conscience rights of its members and all healthcare professionals, encouraging legal protections and education and reform in the medical profession. The issue took center stage recently when the New York Times published an article based on a leaked copy of draft regulations by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on conscience rights in healthcare.

The revelation of draft regulations to protect conscience rights set off an avalanche of protests from abortion advocates, many of whom have asserted that healthcare professional literally should choose another career if unwilling to participate in abortions. Opponents of the regulations wrongly asserted that HHS was trying to stop abortions and limit contraceptive use—very difficult charges to make stick, since the regulations would not outlaw a single abortion and since HHS this year will fund over $1.6 billion in “family planning” services.

CMDA responded to the New York Times article and alerted its members to communicate with HHS and their congressional leaders, and to write letters to the editor, to explain the need for conscience protections in healthcare. Members responded with insightful communications and personal stories such as those excerpted below:

LifeSiteNews is reporting that new documents just obtained by the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) prove that Senator Obama has for the past four years blatantly misrepresented his actions on the Illinois Born-Alive Infants Protection bill. But one media observer points out that the mainstream media hasn’t touched the new wrinkle in the story about the Born Alive Infants Protection Act.  

My Take?

CBN’s David Brody reported that members of the Democrat Platform Committee have sought input from evangelical leaders to moderate their party platform on abortion with the intent of making the Democrat Party more attractive to people of faith. According to Brody, Pastors Joel Hunter, Jim Wallis and Tony Campolo were involved in the effort. 

My Take?