Challenging the “New Normal” on Commercial Surrogacy

Bioethics,

Last week we published a blog post about New York’s recent decision to legalize commercial surrogacy.

On Friday, John Stonestreet at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview released a column about CNN host Anderson Cooper’s decision to hire a commercial surrogate.

Stonestreet writes,

This story demonstrates that commercial surrogacy, including cases in which the child is intentionally deprived of its mother, is now fully normal. . . .

Behind Anderson Cooper’s money and these headlines is this baby’s mom. No matter what we tell ourselves about how willing she was or how better off she is now, she is harmed and so is her son – who somehow knew from the moment he was born to look for her. Unfortunately, he won’t find her. Shame on us.

Stonestreet points out several of the ethical problems with commercial surrogacy, such as:

  • Commercial surrogacy assumes “children” are a right that God never promised
  • It denies children the opportunity to be raised by their biological mom and a dad
  • It treats children as products
  • It poses a significant risk of financial exploitation for women

As we keep saying, being pro-life means believing that human life is sacred from conception until natural death.

It means treating human life with respect at every stage of development.

It also means recognizing that human beings are not products that can be bought or sold. That’s why Family Council opposes commercial surrogacy — and will continue to oppose it.

Read John Stonestreet’s entire commentary here.

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Arkansans Spending Millions on Marijuana During Pandemic

Marijuana

Since March 11, Arkansans have bought nearly $24.4 million worth of so-called “medical” marijuana, according an article published by KUAR.

The major increase in “medical” marijuana sales tracks with the COVID-19 outbreak — and public health officials encouraging Arkansans to stock up on supplies.

According to officials from Arkansas’ Department of Finance and Administration, some “medical” marijuana users appear to be spending upwards of $2,000 per month on marijuana, on average.

Like we have said before, marijuana is big business in Arkansas.

The state’s “medical” marijuana amendment is so open-ended that practically anybody can buy and use marijuana.

Marijuana use is tied to a host of health problems.

A 2019 study presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions found that marijuana addiction among young people is tied to increased risk of heart problems.

A second study found regular marijuana use increases a young person’s risk of suffering a stroke.

Marijuana use is tied to stroke as well as permanent loss in IQ and an increased risk for schizophrenia.

That’s part of the reason why the U.S. Surgeon General has issued warnings about marijuana.

As we have said for years: Marijuana may be many things, but “harmless” simply is not one of them.

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Judge Rejects Abortionists’ Lawsuit Against State

Abortion, , , ,

Last week ACLU attorneys representing abortionists in Little Rock filed a legal challenge against the State of Arkansas over health directives that require women to test negative for COVID-19 within 48 hours before having a surgical abortion.

On Thursday U.S. District Judge Brian Miller rejected the ACLU’s motion against the state.

This is a big win for Attorney General Leslie Rutledge and her team.

As we have said before, the State of Arkansas is requiring everyone to test negative for COVID-19 before having an elective surgery.

This is a general rule that applies to all elective surgeries — including surgical abortions.

But abortionists have kept trying to get the courts to carve out special exemptions just for them.

At a time when other doctors and facilities are abiding by state rules to help fight COVID-19, it’s very telling that abortionists still want special treatment.

Fortunately, Judge Miller has recognized that abortionists need to follow the same rules as everybody else during a pandemic like the current one.

That’s a very good thing.

Here’s a quick recap of everything that has led up to this point:

  • On March 30, Governor Hutchinson issued guidelines telling all medical clinics to postpone elective procedures, but abortion providers did not comply.
  • On April 3, Governor Hutchinson and Secretary of Health Dr. Nathaniel Smith issued a directive, with the force of law, specifically naming abortion providers. Again, abortionists kept performing surgical abortions.
  • On April 7, inspectors from the State of Arkansas found proof that elective surgical abortions were taking place despite the state’s directives and guidelines.
  • On Friday, April 10, Little Rock Family Planning Services — Arkansas’ only surgical abortion clinic — received a “cease and desist” letter and was told to stop performing surgical abortions or face penalties from the state.
  • Abortionists filed a legal challenge on April 13.
  • On April 14, U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker issued a restraining order against the state.
  • On April 15, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge’s office asked the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn Judge Baker’s restraining order.
  • On April 22, a three-judge panel from the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated Judge Baker’s temporary restraining order, thereby letting the state restrict surgical abortions.
  • On April 27, the State of Arkansas rolled out new directives permitting elective outpatient surgical procedures if the patient tests negative for COVID-19 within 48 hours of the procedure.
  • On Friday, May 1, the ACLU renewed its legal challenge against the state, arguing that it is unreasonable to require a woman to test negative for COVID-19 before having a surgical abortion.
  • On Thursday, May 7, U.S. District Judge Brian Miller rejected the ACLU’s renewed legal challenge.

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