Pope right about AIDS

The director of Harvard's AIDS Prevention Research Project is affirming that Benedict XVI's position was right in the debate on AIDS and condoms.
Green, an expert on AIDS prevention, said that "as a scientist he was amazed to see the closeness between what the Pope said last March in Cameroon and the results of the most recent scientific discoveries.The condom does not prevent AIDS. Only responsible sexual behavior can address the pandemic. When Benedict XVI said that different sexual behavior should be adopted in Africa, because to put trust in condoms does not serve to fight against AIDS, the international press was scandalized."

The scientist affirmed that the Holy Father spoke the truth. He noted, "The condom can work for particular individuals, but it will not serve to address the situation of a continent. To propose the regular use of the condom as prevention in Africa could have the opposite effect."

He explained the phenomenon of human behavior called "risk compensation," whereby a person "feels protected and thus exposes himself more."

Green highlighted the successful policies that have been implemented in Uganda to battle AIDS, programs based in the "ABC" strategy: "Abstain, Be faithful, and, as a last resource, use a Condom."

He reported: "In the case of Uganda, an impressive result has been obtained in the fight against AIDS. The president was able to tell the truth to his people, to young people, that on occasions some sacrifice, abstinence and fidelity are necessary. The result has been formidable."

FAQs on STEM CELLS

In view of the current controversies surrounding stem cell research, it would be appropriate to try to present some information regarding stem cells. I will try to answer some common questions regarding embryonic stem cell research as well as other alternatives such as adult stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells.

1) What are stem cells?

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells(ie. a cell that has not yet specialized into a particular type of cell like a liver cell or muscle cell or brain cell). They have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. In addition, in many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells. A stem cell can divide into daughter cells identical with itself or it can become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.


2) Why are stem cells unique?

Stem cells are distinguished from other cell types by two important characteristics. First, they are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division, sometimes after long periods of inactivity. Second, under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, they can be induced to become tissue- or organ-specific cells with special functions. In some organs, such as the gut and bone marrow, stem cells regularly divide to repair and replace worn out or damaged tissues. In other organs, however, such as the pancreas and the heart, stem cells only divide under special conditions.


3) What is a stem cell’s potency?

Potency refers to its capacity to differentiate into particular type of human cells.

a) Totipotent stem cells: Totipotent stem cells can differentiate into every tissue in the human body including the extraembryonic support tissues like placenta, umbilical cord and amniotic sac, Such cells can construct a complete, viable, organism. A single celled embryo(also called a zygote) is totipotent These cells are produced from the fusion of an egg and sperm cell. Cells produced by the first few divisions of the fertilized egg are also totipotent.

b) Pluripotent stem cells: Pluripotent stem cells are the descendants of totipotent cells and can differentiate into nearly all cells, i.e. cells derived from any of the three germ layers but not the extra embryonic support tissues. Embryonic stem cells are pluripotent.

c) Multipotent stem cells: Multipotent stem cells can differentiate into a number of cells, but only those of a closely related family of cells e.g. blood cells.

d) Oligopotent stem cells: Oligopotent stem cells can differentiate into only a few cells, such as lymphoid or myeloid stem cells.

e) Unipotent stem cells: Unipotent cells can produce only one cell type, their own, but have the property of self-renewal which distinguishes them from non-stem cells (e.g. muscle stem cells).


4) What is the difference between embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells?

Embryonic stem cells are derived from the inner cell mass of an embryo usually during the blastocyst stage (around 5 days old). In the process of harvesting these cells, the embryo will be destroyed. Embryonic stem cells are undifferentiated, self renewing, pluripotent cells.
Adult stem cells too have the ability of self proliferation and differentiation. They are derived from adults cells but not from embryo. They are also found in newborn tissues e.g. the cord blood of new born babies. Although some adult stem cells have been found with the capacity for pluripotency, most are only capable of differentiating into the tissue type or related cell type of the tissue they were found.

5)What are the ethical concerns surrounding stem cell research?

The objective of stem cell research is indeed noble. It has the potential ability to treat a host of diseases such as Alzeimers / Parkinsons disease, spinal cord regeneration stroke, diabetes, heart failure, liver failure, inflammatory bowel disease, short bowel syndrome, GI motility disorders.
It is currently being used in haemopoietic stem cell replacement.
The nobility of such objectives should not justify the means. Is it justifiable to kill embryos to achieve such objectives? Those who judge human embryos to be human beings think that embryonic stem cell research is wrong. There are those who believe that embryos are “pre human entities” and that such research are justified. The Catholic church does not condone embryonic stem cell research. The Vatican and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops have consistently supported stem cell research that does not exploit or destroy embryos. (Please refer to the following references: i)Pontifical Academy for Life, Declaration on the Production and the Scientific and Therapeutic Use of Human Embryonic Stem Cells (August 25, 2000); Catholic Online, "American Bishops Reaffirm Church Support for Adult Stem-Cell Research," www.catholic.org, June 26, 2006, www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=20275. ii)Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Instruction Dignitas Personae (On Certain Bioethical Questions) (2008), nos. 24, 31, 32.)


Adult stem cell research avoids this ethical problem by avoiding research on embryos altogether. Adult stem cell research has made remarkable progress in its ability to treat serious diseases. In contrast, embryonic stem cell research despite all the millions of dollars spent have produce nothing but failures.

6) What are induced pluripotent stem cells(IPSC)?
This latest research which was pioneered by researchers in late 2007 shows great promise as it avoids the ethical controversy surrounding embryonic stem cell altogether.
Here an adult somatic cells(usually a fibroblast) is induced to become like an embryonic stem cell through a process whereby certain genes are inserted into the somatic cell via the help of viral vectors. The resulting stem cell which is pluripotent will have similar properties to embryonic stem cells. These cells can then be allowed to develop into tissues to be used for transplantation and other therapeutic uses.

posted by cdam at 9:47 PM

Annual Retreat

The Catholic Lawyers in collaboration with the Catholic Doctors of Malaysia will
be having this years annual retreat, the particulars of which are as follows:-

Theme : "DEFENDING GOD'S STAND" (A mandate given by the Lord to Lawyers & Doctors)
Date  :  21.8.09 (Friday) to 24.8.09 (Monday)

Venue :  Maranatha Retreat House (Indonesia)
        Berastagi, Medan.

Retreat Master : Rev. Fr. Sirilus Manalu (OFM)

[Fr Sirilus is a Capuchin Friar who is 46 years old and hold a Ph.D in
Psychology from Manila majoring in clinical psychology. Regularly
conducts individual counselling, family therapy, seminars and retreats.]

Cost (excluding airfare) : Adult RM400 per person (full board on twin
sharing)                  Child RM200 per child

This cost also includes transport from Medan airport to retreat centre and back to airport on designated date and time as below.

Note: You are to make your own flight arrangements. You are encouraged to book on the xxxxxxxx flight departing Subang on 21.8.09 at xxxxxxx and departing Medan on 24.8.09 at xxxxxxx. This is to facilitate transport arrangements from Medan Airport to retreat centre and back to the airport. For those of you who wish to stay on for sightseeing purposes, accommodation and food for the additional dayswould cost RM60.00 per person. Please make all other travel arrangements on you. Please contact Dr Gladys Lawrence. our secretary if you need more info.

Influenza A H1N1 Info

Everyday preventive actions for Influenza: 1) Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. 2) Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. 3) Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. 4) Avoid close contact with sick people. 5) Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. 6) If you get influenza-like illness symptoms, stay home from work or school except to seek medical care and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

You may refer to the following website for more influenza guidance:
http://cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/

FIAMC Statement on OBAMA & Life Issues

Here is the statement released by the World Federation of the Catholic Medical Associations about new threats to human life under the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama.

The election of Barak Obama as President of the United States marked an important watershed in American history and culture. Running for office in a time marked by economic and geo-political turmoil, Obama promised to be a force for positive change, political reconciliation and effective government. Unfortunately, President Obama has begun his term with actions that will undermine respect for human life, human dignity and religions freedom. We call upon Catholic physicians and health care providers, and all people of good will, to spare no effort in convincing President Obama to reverse these decisions.

During the 2008 campaign, some Catholics and self-identified Catholic advocacy groups endorsed Barak Obama for President based in part on his support for economic justice and foreign policy, and in part on his pledge to try to reduce the number of abortions by increased social spending on support for pregnant women. Yet as a legislator and as a candidate, Obama had taken positions utterly opposed to respect for human life. For example:

-- Obama has long been an advocate of abortion on demand, and has touted his 100% approval rating from Planned Parenthood, the largest provider of abortion in the United States;

-- Obama opposed every limitation on abortion, including laws requiring parental notification and consent before minors could obtain abortions;

-- Shockingly, as a state senator, Obama actively opposed any protections for infants born alive after failed abortion procedures and misrepresented his record on this issue during the 2008 campaign;

-- Finally, during the campaign, Obama proudly proclaimed his support for the “Freedom of Choice Act” (FOCA) -- the most radical expansion of abortion license in the world -- and promised to sign the law as President.

In addition to his unqualified support for abortion, Obama has promised to provide federal funding for stem-cell research that destroys human life at the embryonic stage.

Since taking office, President Obama has engaged in a series of actions that indicate that he is prepared to implement his prior support for abortion.

-- Within the first few days of taking office, Obama overturned the “Mexico City Policy,” a U.S. government policy that denies federal funding to international agencies that promote or perform abortion as a means of birth control;

-- More ominously, when overturning this policy, President Obama indicated his willingness to provide financial support to the United Nations Population Fund, an organization that lost U.S. government funding after it collaborated with the Chinese government’s coercive “one child” population policy.

-- President Obama is filling his Cabinet and Administration positions with supporters of abortion, including Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State (who has long been a proponent of abortion “rights” in the United States and around the world); Rahm Emanuel, White House Chief of Staff (who had a 100% voting record with the National Abortion Rights Action League as a member of Congress and a reputation as an aggressive pro-choice politician); Dawn Johnsen, nominee for Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel (who was the Legal Director for NARAL and part of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project); Eric Holder, Attorney General (who has been a longtime supporter of abortion “rights”); Melody Barnes, Chair of the Domestic Policy Council (who has been a member of the boards of directors for both Planned Parenthood and Emily's List); Ellen Moran, White House Director of Communications (who is the current executive director of Emily's List); and Thomas Perelli, nominee for Associate Attorney General (who collaborated with pro-euthanasia attorney George Felos to successfully starve Terri Shiavo to death).

-- While he has made no move to encourage the passage of FOCA, many are still concerned that the provisions of FOCA will be added piecemeal to other bills and legislative acts.

-- Finally, President Obama has declared his opposition to the new HHS rule that protects the conscience rights of health care providers. The rule was enacted in the last days of the Bush administration in response to many threats to the conscience rights of physicians, pharmacists and health care providers in the United States.

In light of these actions and appointments, we are issuing an urgent appeal to President Obama to reconsider his support for abortion and research that can succeed only by destroying innocent human life. In addition, we offer our prayers, encouragement and appeals to Catholic physicians in the United States to educate the public and to oppose these efforts to promote abortion. Finally, we appeal to all members of FIAMC to be vigilant in opposing the new threats to human life and dignity that could now come from the Obama administration officials in foreign policy positions and at the United Nations.

14th AFCMA CONGRESS

The 14th Congress of the Asian Federation of Catholic Medical Associations (AFCMA) was successfully concluded in Hong Kong on 30th November 2008.

We wish to congratulate Dr Freddie Loh who was elected as the new President of AFCMA, Dr Anthonysamy who was elected as the Secretary General and Dr Chong Khin Yam who was elected as the new treasurer. we are honoured to have 3 Malaysians serving in the AFCMA Council. We pray to our Lord that He may give Dr Freddie Loh and his office bearers the Grace and Wisdom to carry out their duties for the next 4 years.

The Congress Resolution made at the conclusion of the meeting was:

This congress reaffirms that all human beings have an inalienable dignity proper to the human nature present in everyone. In respect for this human dignity, we pledge to:

1. disseminate the knowledge about the inalienability of human dignity
2. care for our patients in way that maximally preserves their dignity, and
3. advocate for the dignity of vulnerable persons, such as the unborn, elderly, disabled, and the terminally-ill,etc.

Incidentally, our President, Dr Anthonysamy presented a very comprehensive country report on Malaysia at the AFCMA Congress. You may view the text of the report by clicking your mouse at the links section of this website. Click on "14th AFCMA Congress" and then click on "Country Reports", then "Malaysia".

You may access details of the lectures given during the Congress at the following AFCMA website: www.doctor.catholic.org.hk/14afcma.html

US Bishops' comment on Freedom of Choice Act

In the last meeting of the United States Congress, a Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) was introduced that would, if brought forward in the same form today, outlaw any "interference" in providing abortion at will. It would deprive the American people in all fifty states of the freedom they now have to enact modest restraints and regulations on the abortion industry. FOCA would coerce all Americans into subsidizing and promoting abortion with their tax dollars. It would counteract any and all sincere efforts by government and others of good will to reduce the number of abortions in our country.

Parental notification and informed consent precautions would be outlawed, as would be laws banning procedures such as partial-birth abortion and protecting infants born alive after a failed abortion. Abortion clinics would be deregulated. The Hyde Amendment restricting the federal funding of abortions would be abrogated. FOCA would have lethal consequences for prenatal human life.

FOCA would have an equally destructive effect on the freedom of conscience of doctors, nurses and health care workers whose personal convictions do not permit them to cooperate in the private killing of unborn children. It would threaten Catholic health care institutions and Catholic Charities. It would be an evil law that would further divide our country, and the Church should be intent on opposing evil.

On this issue, the legal protection of the unborn, the bishops are of one mind with Catholics and others of good will. They are also pastors who have listened to women whose lives have been diminished because they believed they had no choice but to abort a baby. Abortion is a medical procedure that kills, and the psychological and spiritual consequences are written in the sorrow and depression of many women and men. The bishops are single-minded because they are, first of all, single-hearted.

The recent election was principally decided out of concern for the economy, for the loss of jobs and homes and financial security for families, here and around the world. If the election is misinterpreted ideologically as a referendum on abortion, the unity desired by President-elect Obama and all Americans at this moment of crisis will be impossible to achieve. Abortion kills not only unborn children; it destroys constitutional order and the common good, which is assured only when the life of every human being is legally protected. Aggressively pro-abortion policies, legislation and executive orders will permanently alienate tens of millions of Americans, and would be seen by many as an attack on the free exercise of their religion.

This statement is written at the request and direction of all the Bishops, who also want to thank all those in politics who work with good will to protect the lives of the most vulnerable among us. Those in public life do so, sometimes, at the cost of great sacrifice to themselves and their families; and we are grateful. We express again our great desire to work with all those who cherish the common good of our nation. The common good is not the sum total of individual desires and interests; it is achieved in the working out of a common life based upon good reason and good will for all.

Our prayers accompany President-elect Obama and his family and those who are cooperating with him to assure a smooth transition in government. Many issues demand immediate attention on the part of our elected "watchman." (Psalm 127) May God bless him and our country.

New Office Bearers from HONG KONG

A message from the new Council of the Guild of St. Luke, HONG KONG:

On behalf of the Guild, I am delighted to inform you that our new Council has been elected in 55th Annual General Meeting on 20 June 2008. Details are as follows:

Master:Dr. Michael Poon 潘志明醫生 (Surgery, NDH)

Honorary Secretary:Dr. Wong Pui Yan Stella 黄佩茵醫生 (Medicine, TKOH)

Assistant Honorary Secretary:Dr. Ambrose Leung 梁焯燊醫生 (Medicine, YCH)

Honorary Treasurer:Dr. Francis Chu 朱俊傑醫生 (FM, NTWC)

Our correspondence address is PO Box No. 11302, General Post Office, Hong Kong
Our email address is: hk_guild@pacific.net.hk

Thank you for your attention.

Yours sincerely, from Dr. Stella Wong, ( Hon. Sec.)

14th AFCMA Congress in Hong Kong

Just a friendly reminder to keep your dates free for the coming AFCMA Congress in Hong Kong in November 2008:

Date: 27th to 30th November 2008

Venue: 9/F Catholic Diocese Centre
16, Caine Road, Hong Kong

Theme: Human Dignity in Modern Medicine

Accomodation:Bishop Lei International House,4 Robinson Road, Mid Levels, Hong Kong(2min walk to congress venue)Room rates are HK 780.00 per night inclusive of breakfast.

Registration fees: US $ 200 or HK$ 1,600 ( for early birds before 15/8/08)
Contact: afcma08@gmail.com for more details

AFCMA CONGRESS, HONG KONG

Dear brothers and sisters,

By the grace of our Lord, we are delighted to announce the 14th Congress of Asian Federation of Catholic Medical Associations will be held in Hong Kong from 27th to 30th November 2008. The congress is jointly organized with Hong Kong Catholic Nurses Guild and Catholic Diocesan Commission for Hospital Pastoral Care.

The topic of the congress is "Human Dignity in Modern Medicine"

Details can be found in the attached Website:

http://doctor.catholic.org.hk/14afcma

Looking forward to meeting you!



Love In Christ,

The Guild of St. Luke, St. Cosmas and St. Damian Hong Kong