2007-02-16

javasaurus: (Default)
2007-02-16 11:13 am

International weapons sale?

According to this WTOP news article, countries near Iraq and Iran are concerned about potential upcoming conflicts, so they want to arm themselves in preparation. So they're all going to an international weapons show and sale. Even better, the bad guys can send representatives and see what's available -- even if they can't buy the stuff themselves, they'll know what to expect!
javasaurus: (Default)
2007-02-16 06:07 pm

1992 Abortion Act?

I found a reference to the 1992 Abortion Act when looking for information on premature infants (which I was doing after Acroyear posted a link to an article on using Viagra to save a 24-week old). From what little I've found about the Act (which I think is British, not American), it modifies the age of viability to 24 weeks from 28 weeks. Prior to its passing, a premature infant of less than 28 weeks gestation was not considered viable. Improvements in premature birth health care have greatly increased the chances of 24-week gestation "premies" and even a very rare 22-week gestation has survived.

This brings to mind the question of what is meant by a legally non-viable infant. I suspect the idea that if an infant is below the legal threshold of 24 weeks, then there is no legal reason to employ emotionally and financially expensive means to try to save the child. Maybe it is even legal to euthanize the child to avoid hours or days of suffering.

Unfortunately, I can find no solid information on this. I cannot even confirm that there was such an Act anywhere, including Britain. Parliament passed an Abortion Act in 1967, and amended it in 1990, and that might be what's meant.