Download March of Dimes: The Update By: Josh Brahm, Dir. of Education For

March of Dimes:
The Update
By: Josh Brahm, Dir. of Education
For years, Georgia Right to Life has held a no-support
policy of the March of Dimes (MOD). One of the most
frequent questions I’m asked is if there is any new
information on MOD, or is our boycott is based on old
information. After some recent study, there is new
information. However, it does not bode well for the
March of Dimes!
Above: The March of Dimes ironic logo
Just to refresh you, the MOD boycott began in 1972,
on their website.
because they sponsored and pushed the technique of
amniocentesis in order to diagnose handicapped children in the womb, and then 90% to 95% of
them were killed. (At that rate, we will not have “Special Olympics” for very much longer.)
We also knew that Henry Foster, who served on the March of Dimes’ Medical Service Advisory
committee, admitted doing nearly 700 abortions following the results of amniocentesis.
Amniocentesis is no longer an experimental technique - doctors seem to use this test on nearly
every pregnant woman, so the reasons for the MOD boycott have slowly changed.
In 1995, the MOD sent records of all the grants they made for research in the previous two years
to Rev. Robert Fleischmann, the national director of WELS Lutherans for Life, hoping that the
boycott would be lifted. After they were evaluated, it was discovered that several projects
apparently used fetal tissue from aborted babies. Rev. Fleischmann’s requested that the MOD add
an official policy that they would refuse grants for research projects involving the use of tissue
from aborted babies - the MOD refused.
The MOD lobbies Congress for federal funds (your tax dollars) to use human embryo stem cells
in research. To be an organization that claims to have the best interest of children in mind, the
MOD doesn’t seem to be protecting the interests of the unborn at all.
The MOD is also involved with Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). Before human
embryos are implanted into the womb by in-vitro fertilization, they are first screened for genetic
imperfections or diseases. The human embryos that don’t meet their standards are instead
destroyed. During the March of Dimes 2002 Annual Clinical Genetics meeting, they taught a
workshop on how to use PGD to identify more genetic diseases. This is truly a “search and
destroy” mission.
Another startling discovery is that the MOD is involved with Planned Parenthood! According to a
letter that MOD sent to Tennessee Right to Life, MOD staff and volunteers participate in
coalitions along with Planned Parenthood, and some MOD chapters give community grants to the
pro-abortion group.
In 2006, the MOD released their Global Report on Birth Defects, The Hidden Toll of Dying and
Disabled Children. One of strategies it encourages is called “secondary prevention,” which “aims
to reduce the number of children born with birth defects.” Although rarely stated explicitly, one
potential ’treatment’ at this stage is frequently implied: abortion.
We recognize that some of the things MOD has done are great, but their support of embryonic
stem cell research, fetal tissue research, and abortion as an alternative to prenatal abnormalities is
as anti-life as you can get.
There is an alternative to the March of Dimes. The Michael Fund is dedicated to intertwining
scientific research for the prevention of genetic defects and the pro-life philosophy:
The Michael Fund may be reached at:
4371 Northern Pike
Pittsburgh, PA 15146
(412) 374-0111