In Focus takes a deeper look at various cultural topics in order to develop a meaningful understanding of significant issues of our day.

Benedict in America

Pope Benedict XVI visits the United States for the first time as Pope.  In Focus gathers thoughtful commentary, news and information about this historic event.

Natural Law

In Focus examines the doctrine of Natural Law, with an introductory commentary & follow-up by Senior Fellow, Dr. Christopher Oleson, PhD.

Roe v. Wade at 35

January 22, 2008 marked the 35 th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that mandated legal abortion throughout the United States. Since then, it is estimated that nearly 50 million unborn lives have ended in abortion in the United States.  This In Focus includes several perspectives, news stories and commentaries about the 35th anniversary of Roe.

Faith in America - Romney, Religion and the Public Life

Governor Mitt Romney's "Faith in America " speech brought forward the subject of religion in public life as a primary topic of national discussion.  In Focus takes a look at some of the commentary and background documents on the important subject of faith and public life.

Reprogramming - Tremendous Breakthrough in Stem Cell Research

Two major scientific papers published this week in Science and Cell (pdf) unveil a proven way to generate patient-matched human pluripotent stem cells without human cloning, and without the use of human embryos or human or animal eggs. Research groups in Wisconsin and Japan have generated "induced pluripotent state" (iPS) cells with the properties of human embryonic stem cells by direct reprogramming of adult cells.

Chimera - Merging Human Cells
with Animal Eggs

In early September, Britain's Human Fertilization and Embryology Authority (HFEA) approved the concept of creating hybrid embryos by merging human cells with animal eggs for research purposes.

In Focus examines the issue of hybrid embryos, with an introductory commentary by Fr. Thomas Berg.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis -

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) was developed in Britain in the mid-eighties as a way to test human embryos (created through IVF) for genetic abnormalities prior to transferring them to the mother, with an introductory commentary by Senior Fellow Dr. Chris Oleson.

NaPro Technology -
advances in Women's Health

NaPro TECHNOLOGY is a field of science focused on female fertility, allowing women to monitor their fertility through self-observation, and address problems without suppressing or altering their natural reproductive system. In Focus examines NaPro TECHNOLOGY, with an introductory commentary by Senior Fellow Dr. Mark Stegman.

Stem Cells -
Breakthroughs, Background, News

Scientists recently confirmed a breakthrough for creating pluripotent stem cells using adult cells, not embryos. In Focus takes a look at the breakthrough on this technically-simple procedure that reprograms adult cells into embryonic-like stem cells. Read an introductory commentary by Senior Fellow Dr. Christian Brugger.

American Eugenics -
History, Culture and Resources

One hundred years after the first eugenics law was passed in the U.S., ultimately leading to the forced sterilization of over 60,000 people, the movement that was once so prevalent in our country is now viewed with revulsion and regret. In Focus examines the American eugenics movement, with an introductory commentary by Senior Fellow Fr. Peter Ryan, SJ.

Gonzales v. Carhart
Examining the Supreme Court Decision
The U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision, Gonzales v. Carhart , upholds the federal ban on Partial Birth Abortions. In Focus examines the Partial Birth Abortion issue and the Supreme Court's holding, with an introductory commentary by Westchester Institute Director of Operations Michelle Gress.

The Death Penalty -
Essays, Commentary, News, Statistics
The UK 's regulator on fertility treatment and embryo research - the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) - recently agreed to allow payment for women to donate their eggs for research.  This raises concerns about exploitation of women - especially poor women - for their eggs.

Egg Donation -
Fertility Tratment and Embryo Research
The UK 's regulator on fertility treatment and embryo research - the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) - recently agreed to allow payment for women to donate their eggs for research.  This raises concerns about exploitation of women - especially poor women - for their eggs.

Unsound Therapy -
The Ashley Experiment
Even for those with long experience in following the latest ethical controversies chronicled by the media, the case of Ashley X is likely to catch one by surprise. After learning about her "treatment" for the first time, it is hard to suppress the foreboding question "What will they think of next?"

Missouri's Amendment 2
On November 7, by the slimmest of margins (51%), Missourians passed an amendment to their state constitution which will allow big biotech-in perpetuity-to engage in embryo-destructive research, including research cloning.  At a cost of more than $30 million, and rife with deceptiveness, the campaign for Amendment 2 goes down in history as one of biggest electoral scams in history.

Stem Cells -
News, Federal Funding, Research
Westchester Institute Senior Fellow Dr. Markus Grompe weighs in on a reported new source of ethically acceptable stem cells.

Pope Benedict XVI -
Apostolic Journey to Turkey
As the Holy Father begins his Pilgrimage to Turkey IN FOCUS will put into perspective the implications, context and reactions from the world.

Bioethics Organizations on the Web
The web is full of information on bioethics. Here are our picks for some of the best resouces.