Letter from Senators Dennis DeConcini, et. al., to President Bush requesting he also speak out against the medically unnecessary destruction of prenatal infants in addition to his previous speaking out against abortion

60774 GORDON J. HUMPHREY COMMITTEES NEW HAMPSHIRE JUDICIARY FOREIGN RELATIONS 531 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING (202) 224-2841 ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC FAX NUMBER United States Senate WORKS (202) 224-1353 NEW HAMPSHIRE TOLL FREE NUMBER 1-800-852-3714 WASHINGTON, DC 20510 EMeclure The President August 4, 1989 The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President: You have spoken out against abortion, and once again we commend you for your courageous moral leadership. We ask you also to speak out against the medically unnecessary destruction of prenatal infants. Towards the end of the last administration, at the President's request, an Executive Order was drafted that would, "to the extent permitted by law, protect unborn or newborn children from experimentation, research and organ transplantation, except in cases where the unborn or newborn child would itself directly benefit by any such procedures to which it was subjected." Tragically, time ran out before this directive could be implemented. Using the organs and tissue of aborted infants is the latest extension of the utilitarian ethic which is responsible for the widespread practice of abortion in the first place. It is just plain wrong, in that it further violates the human rights and the dignity of the victim of abortion. And the use of aborted infants for medical purposes will lend the appearance of respectability to abortion, in the sense that some will say that abortion, however unfortunate, at least improves the health of those who benefit by transplants. This rationalizing of abortion will embed the procedures ever more deeply in our society. Absent an Executive Order, the Federal government will continue to fund fetal experimentation. In 1987, the last year for which data are available, the National Institutes of Health spent $11.2 million. The bottom line is, Federally funded fetal experimentation will continue unless you take action. Respectfully, we ask for a meeting with you at your earliest convenience to explain our concerns and discuss several policy options. Dennis DeConcini, USS Gordon J. Humphrey, USS ONE EAGLE SQUARE 157 MAIN STREET CONCORD, NH 03301 BERLIN, NH 03570 (603) 228-0453 (603) 752-2600 The President August Page Brui Two William 4, 1989 L. Armstrong, USS Don Non Nickles, Nickle USS Charles Chuck E. Grassley USS Jesse Helms Grassley, Jesse Helms USS Dan Coats, USS Conrad Burns, USS & Richard Dub G Lugar, USS . Henry J. Hyde, MC Cluis Sunth am Christopher H. Smith, MC Alan B. Mollohan, MC John & J. LaFalce, Q haraw MC Bill Bree Emerson, MC Richard Dick K. Armey Armey, MC Vij Weber, Jach MC Vin Duncan Hunter, William Bell E. Dannemeyer MC MC The President August 4, 1989 Page Three Earl Hutto, MC Thomas J. Bliley, Jr., MC Robert Robert K. Dornan, K.Doman MC Thomas A Luken, MC Hunald L Volkmer Buhun Vucanamich i Barbara F. Vucanovich, MC chycle Harold Clyde C. L. Holloway, C. Volkmer, MC MC e Norman D. Shumway, Shumay MC DowanD. Billy W.J. "Billy" Tauzin, MC V Bill Malalle Bill McCollum, MC mike Michael DeWine, Dewine MC Gerald J. B.H Solomon, 1.1.V MC Custin Austin J. Murphy MC Joe Barton Drinn Joe Barton, MC Hatch Guy V. Molinari, MC Orrin G. Hatch, USS