Medicine/Bioethics

AIDS Kerby Anderson: This essay addresses the issues of What is AIDS?, AIDS transmission, education, and testing. It answers theological questions about AIDS.
Abortion Sue Bohlin: A woman's look at abortion from a biblical position. This essay explores the reason abortion is such an emotionally volatile subject, as well as biblical and medical reasons it is wrong, concluding with some personal stories dealing with handicaps.
The Abortion Cocktail First Things, January 1996: A former abortionist (who is now a pro-life doctor) reviews the history of chemical abortafacients. He also describes a current drug that is used for the same purpose.
Abortion, Breast Cancer, and Ideology First Things, May 1997: Many studies over the decades have linked induced abortion to an increased risk of breast cancer in women. In spite of their substantial statistical evidence, however, these studies have been ignored and criticized by the medical establishment.
Abortion: The Issue That Won't Go Away John H. Stoll, Ph.D.: Among the issues in today's world that are divisive and inflammatory, none is so great as the battle over abortion. It has increased over the years, and seems it will become even greater in the days ahead. Christians are divided over how to address the issue from a Biblical perspective.
The America We Seek: A Statement of Pro-Life Principle and Concern First Things, May 1996: A group of authors, professors and organization leaders state their united concern in this document for America's unborn children. They describe the many problems with the current status of abortion on demand. They also address possible solutions to thi
Answering the Big Questions of Life Sue Bohlin: The three major world views--theism, naturalism, and pantheism--have vastly different answers to some of life?s biggest questions: Why is there something rather than nothing? How do you explain human nature? What happens to a person at death? How do you determine right and wrong? How do you know that you know?
Apologizing to the Babies First Things, October 1996: A large proportion of Japanese women have undergone one or more abortions. The procedure there has no religious or social stigma attached to it. But recently there has been a trend in which couples express regret over their past abortions with extended
An Argument Against Abortion Paul Cox: Germain Grisez, in Abortion: the Myths, the Realities, and the Arguments, defends a strategy which links moral personhood to membership in the human species. A look at Grisez's presentation will help focus the abortion debate on those fundamental issues whose resolution, or at least clarification, can provide the conceptual basis for a well thought through decision about the moral personhood of the unborn.
Arguments Against Abortion Kerby Anderson: Biblical, medical, legal and philosophical arguments against abortion are offered.
Assisted Suicide: No and Yes, but Mainly Yes First Things, March 1997: The Justice Department's brief to the Supreme Court over the issue of assisted suicide might seem ambiguous. The brief allows for the states to make exceptions to their homicide laws so that doctor assisted suicides would be permitted.
Begetting and Cloning First Things, June/July 1997: The author, a Protestant theologian, considers the question of human cloning. He seeks to understand and explain the issue in a distinctly Christian context. This task involves looking back to the biblical account of God's plan for family life.
BioMedical Ethics: In this Monograph Paul Cox will do three things: (1) place biomedical ethics within the more general discipline of ethics; (2) give the reader an idea of how biomedical ethics developed as a separate discipline under the rubric of ethics and; (3) survey some of the current concerns of biomedical ethics and within that survey explicate the central issues involved in each of those concerns.
Biotech Cannibalism C. Ben Mitchell, Senior Fellow at The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity: Government-approved human cloning may begin any day now. Already we've seen the cloning of sheep, monkeys, cows, and pigs--a veritable barnyard of clones. Ole McDonald, the mythical farmer, is next.
The Casey Court and Feminism The Public Policy of Casey v. Planned Parenthood: In the most recent U.S. Supreme Court case to review the constitutionality of legal abortion, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, the Court said in what is probably the key passage to the entire opinion that continued legal abortion was necessitated by the reliance of society on legal abortion. There are four problems with this central argument for legal abortion: The Court has made an argument that undermines the ultimate interests of feminism, the Court allows society to rely on abortion, which is murder, the Court is supporting the existence of the sexual revolution, and the Court is assisting in the perpetuation of violence in society.
The Casey Court and the Perpetuation of Violence in Society The Public Policy of Casey v. Planned Parenthood: In the most recent U.S. Supreme Court case to review the constitutionality of legal abortion, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, the Court said in what is probably the key passage to the entire opinion that continued legal abortion was necessitated by the reliance of society on legal abortion. There are four problems with this central argument for legal abortion: The Court has made an argument that undermines the ultimate interests of feminism, the Court allows society to rely on abortion, which is murder, the Court is supporting the existence of the sexual revolution, and the Court is assisting in the perpetuation of violence in society.
The Casey Court and the Reliance on Murder The Public Policy of Casey v. Planned Parenthood: In the most recent U.S. Supreme Court case to review the constitutionality of legal abortion, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, the Court said in what is probably the key passage to the entire opinion that continued legal abortion was necessitated by the reliance of society on legal abortion. There are four problems with this central argument for legal abortion: The Court has made an argument that undermines the ultimate interests of feminism, the Court allows society to rely on abortion, which is murder, the Court is supporting the existence of the sexual revolution, and the Court is assisting in the perpetuation of violence in society.
The Casey Court and the Sexual Revolution The Public Policy of Casey v. Planned Parenthood: In the most recent U.S. Supreme Court case to review the constitutionality of legal abortion, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, the Court said in what is probably the key passage to the entire opinion that continued legal abortion was necessitated by the reliance of society on legal abortion. There are four problems with this central argument for legal abortion: The Court has made an argument that undermines the ultimate interests of feminism, the Court allows society to rely on abortion, which is murder, the Court is supporting the existence of the sexual revolution, and the Court is assisting in the perpetuation of violence in society.
College Right-to-Life Handbook Andrew A. Sicree: This handbook is intended to serve as a resource for college students working to bring the right-to-life movement to their campuses. It is meant to be a practical, working manual - with a smattering of pro-life theory for good measure.
Common-Sense Answers to Arguments for Abortion Dr. Norman L. Geisler: Dr. Geisler examines 14 common arguments for abortion and presents common-sense answers.
Conclusion The Public Policy of Casey v. Planned Parenthood: In the most recent U.S. Supreme Court case to review the constitutionality of legal abortion, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, the Court said in what is probably the key passage to the entire opinion that continued legal abortion was necessitated by the reliance of society on legal abortion. There are four problems with this central argument for legal abortion: The Court has made an argument that undermines the ultimate interests of feminism, the Court allows society to rely on abortion, which is murder, the Court is supporting the existence of the sexual revolution, and the Court is assisting in the perpetuation of violence in society.
Copying the Human Script Nancy Pearcey: The race to decipher the code of life has ended--in a tie between two research groups. Now that the human genome project has succeeded, what does it imply for our understanding of life and its origin? Find out in this article by Nancy Pearcey, published in World magazine, Vol. 15, No. 27, July 8, 2000.
Cracking the Code Les Sillars, World Magazine: Mapping the human DNA sequence is a dream come true for many scientists, but the possible consequences are giving bioethicists nightmares. Meanwhile, some observers think Darwinian assumptions cause researchers to place too much emphasis on genes.
Darwinism Takes a Step Back in Kansas: Dr. Ray Bohlin dissipates the rhetorical fog surrounding the recent decision by the Kansas State Board of Education, revealing the core issues and discovering some surprising support for Intelligent Design.
Debriefing the Philosophers First Things, June/July 1997: This "Philosopher's Brief" advocates legalization of physician-assisted suicide based on the Supreme Court's Casey decision which strongly reaffirmed abortion rights.
Dehumanization Triumphant First Things, August/September 1996: What effect would the legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia really have on America? The author claims that it would essentially give doctors a license to kill patients even without their consent. Holland has already has legalized assisted suic
Euthanasia Kerby Anderson: A look at various kinds of mercy-killing and physician-assisted suicide from a biblical perspective.
Euthanasia, Assisted Suicide, and Suffering Dr. Kenneth Simcic, M.D., FACP: Dr. Kenneth Simcic, M.D., FACP, offers an extensive overview of euthansia and practical, loving advice to those in or near this situation.
Euthanasia: The Battle for Life Dr. Raymond G. Bohlin: A discussion of four kinds of euthanasia: voluntary passive, voluntary active, involuntary passive, and involuntary active, from a biblical perspective.
Evolution, Genes and Morality Raymond Bohlin, Ph.D.: Sociobiology claims to explain the origin and meaning of all human and animal social behavior in terms of genetics and natural selection. This view is inadequate to explain the complexities of human nature but curiously agrees with theism that man?s basic behavior is ultimately selfish.
Facing Up to Infantcide First Things, February 1996: Even abortion advocates are beginning to admit that abortion, although it should remain legal, is actually the killing of a child. The attempt to reconcile a belief in legalized killing with liberal "compassion" is most difficult. The author describes t
Fetal Psychology Janet L. Hopson: Behaviorally speaking, there's little difference between a newborn baby and a 32-week-old fetus. A new wave of research suggests that the fetus can feel, dream, even enjoy "The Cat in the Hat." The abortion debate may never be the same. This article explores fetal alertness, fetal movement, fetal taste, fetal hearing, fetal vision, fetal learning, and fetal personality.
First AIDS Education, Then "Safe Schools," Then Gay Advocacy: Not only is social-moral affirmation of homosexuality taught in many public schools, but inaccurate scientific data is used as well. Those who disagree with gay advocacy 'are perilously close to losing the right even to voice their concerns on this issue
For the Patient's Good or the Company's Profit? C. Ben Mitchell, Senior Fellow at The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity: "For the patient's good" has been a governing axiom of moral medicine for centuries. Many contemporary business arrangements in medicine threaten this axiom and, thereby, threaten patient well-being.
The Forgotten Factor in Physical and Mental Health An Independent Study Seminar: "The Forgotten Factor in Physical and Mental Health: What Does the Research Show?" is an independent study seminar for professionals and graduate students in medicine, social work, psychology and pastoral counseling or for any other persons interested in factors affecting health. The seven study modules and accompanying group discussion guide lead participants through research studies from the scientific literature to examine findings which may be highly relevant to the prevention and treatment of illness. The seminar focuses on the role of religious commitment and its impact on physical and mental health: Is it a help, or is it a hindrance? These findings are compared to what is often taught in graduate programs. This seminar is an invaluable tool for becoming familiar with up-to-date quantified research documenting the physical and mental health benefits of Judeo-Christian beliefs and practices.
The Forgotten Factor in Physical and Mental Health Module 1: Charting the Religious Gap: "The Forgotten Factor in Physical and Mental Health: What Does the Research Show?" is an independent study seminar for professionals and graduate students in medicine, social work, psychology and pastoral counseling or for any other persons interested in factors affecting health. Module 1 charts the religious commitment gap. You will be able to recognize the pervasive and central influence of religious commitment in the lives of many patients and begin to examine how it may be relevant in treatment and therapy.
The Gay Gene? Dr. Jeffrey B. Satinover, M.D.: On July 15, 1993, National Public Radio (NPR) made a dramatic announcement on stations across the country: Was a team of scientists at the National Institutes of Health on the trail of a gene that causes homosexuality? Their report would be published the next day in Science, one of the two most prestigious scientific research journals in the world. In order to understand what is really going on, Dr. Satinover explains some little- known features of the emerging study of behavioral genetics.
The Gay Youth Suicide Myth Peter LaBarbera: The rate of suicide has nearly tripled among young people since 1965. Efforts to discover the root causes of this epidemic of self-inflicted violence must be dispassionate and free of politics. However, homosexual activists have manipulated this national tragedy to promote their political agenda.
Gender Identity Disorder Dr. George Rekers, Ph.D.: The past three decades have witnessed a well-publicized trend for certain vocal elements in education and the media in American culture to sharply question the legitimacy of many, if not all, sex role distinctions in the socialization of children. Paradoxically, during these same recent decades, two developments emerged in the mental health and behavioral science disciplines. First, a mass of research data accumulated which led to a recognition of the often detrimental effects of father absence on several critical aspects of child development, including normal sex role development and sexual adjustment. Secondly, clinical and research data accumulated to a sufficient degree to enable the mental health professions to officially identify a newly recognized form of psycopathology-"Gender Identity Disorder of Childhood".
Genetic Engineering Issues Tearing Our Nation's Fabric: Chapter 9 of "Issues Tearing Our Nation's Fabric", exploring 25 key issues dividing the nation of America.
Genetic Engineering Dr. Ray Bohlin: Ethical and technical questions swirl around discussions of genetic engineering like the wall clouds of the eye of a hurricane. I hope to lend a reassuring voice with a dose of sober realism.
Genetic Testing for Diseases: A Judeo-Christian Perspective Michael Atchison: A variety of technological advances over the past 3-4 decades make it possible to acquire a great deal of genetic information on any given individual. This paper looks at some of the ethical issues that arise from this technology and will examine how different worldviews shape our approach to those issues.
The Gravest Show on Earth First Things, March 1996: "The Gravest Show on Earth: America in the Age of Aids" is a book by Elinor Burkett. It is reviewed here by Phillip E. Johnson. The 1980's AIDS scare pressured scientists into prematurely determing the cause for this disease as HIV. All other theories
Homosexuality: Questions and Answers Sue Bohlin: The information in this essay attempts to give a compassionate understanding of the contributing factors to a homosexual orientation without sacrificing the biblical position that acting on such feelings is sin.
Human Cloning: Have Human Beings Been Cloned? Raymond Bohlin, Ph.D.: Recent claims to have cloned human beings are exaggerated. George Washington University researchers Stillman and Hale more correctly achieved artificial twinning of human embryos. True human cloning is still a far-off possibility with many ethical pitfalls.
Inconvenient Lives First Things, December 1996: Robert Bork re-examines the abortion question in this sweeping biological and philosophical discussion. He expresses concern with the current protected status of abortion on demand, as well as the broader cultural implications of such acceptance.
Infanticide for Beginners First Things, January 1998: An article appears in a prominent national magazine and calls for the liberation of murder laws to allow for infanticide. Is this not the fitting compliment to abortion on demand?
Introduction The Public Policy of Casey v. Planned Parenthood: In the most recent U.S. Supreme Court case to review the constitutionality of legal abortion, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, the Court said in what is probably the key passage to the entire opinion that continued legal abortion was necessitated by the reliance of society on legal abortion. There are four problems with this central argument for legal abortion: The Court has made an argument that undermines the ultimate interests of feminism, the Court allows society to rely on abortion, which is murder, the Court is supporting the existence of the sexual revolution, and the Court is assisting in the perpetuation of violence in society.
The Journal On Human Sexuality: No abstract available for this article
Killing As Caring Critical Issues: Volume 1, Issue 1: Richard Rotondi discusses the false charity of euthanasia. Along with the growing acceptance, even welcoming, of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, have come increasingly dire warnings about the practice from ethicists and thinkers. The "mercy" offered by euthanasia can only be offered by those who, logically and emotionally, hold to a conception of the human person radically different from that of traditional medicine: the price of accepting euthanasia?s "compassion" is denying that humans have any inherent worth apart from their productivity or utility.
Kinsey and the Homosexual Revolution Dr. Judith Reisman, Ph.D.: Dr. Alfred C. Kinsey's contention that Americans are 10% to 47%, more or less, homosexual was seized upon by Harry Hay, the father of the homosexual "civil rights" movement, urging that homosexuality be seen no longer as an act of sodomy but as a 10% minority class. Dr. Reisman asks and examines, "But what if all of Kinsey's work was fraudulent, or worse? What if it reflects unethical scientists conducting unprosecuted criminal acts?"
The Legal Logic of Euthanasia First Things, June/July 1996: Critics of abortion on demand have long maintained that the logic justifying this heinous procedure could also be used to rationlize other forms of medical killing. Abortion advocates, on the other hand, have dismissed this assertion as an example of dem
Life as We Know It: A Father, a Family, and an Exceptional Child First Things, May 1997: Professor Michael Berube's experience with his Down's syndrome child causes him to reflect on society's treatment of its most vulnerable members. His book is "Life as We Know It: A Father, a Family, and an Exceptional Child." Reviewed by Molly Finn.
The Little Lamb That Made a Monkey of Us All Can Humans be Cloned Like Sheep?: Dr. Ray Bohlin responds to the March '97 announcement that scientists had cloned an adult sheep, from the perspective of a Christian scientist who has done cloning work in the lab himself.
Medicalizing Abortion Decisions First Things, March 1996: The author, a physician himself, argues that the medical community has a crucial bias with regard to the abortion issue. More specifically, this bias consists in the bringing political aspects of the abortion issue into the medical decision-making proces
Mercy Killing At Golgotha First Things, October 1996: In this fictional letter, an ancient Roman commander describes to a colleague the premature killing he performs, as an act of mercy, on crucified criminals. Having been stationed in Jerusalem, he anticipates the execution of Jesus the Nazarene.
Michael Kinsley Out on a Limb: Stem-Cell Rationale Recalls Ideas of Debunked Scientist Nancy Pearcey: Syndicated columnist Michael Kinsley tries to use an out-dated evolutionary theory to support embryonic stem-cell research, and is roundly trounced in this article by Nancy Pearcey, which was published in Human Events.
Mock Medicine, Mock Law First Things, June/July 1996: The author discusses different points regarding the recent career of the infamous Jack Kevorkian. He asserts that most of this doctor's "patients" needed treatment for pain or depression, not assisted suicide. Further, he contends the cases brought agai
National Health Care Kerby Anderson: Looks at national health care debate of 1994. Deals with uninsured Americans, health care costs, and Clinton health care program.
The Ninth Circuit?s Fatal Overreach First Things, May 1996: On March 6th 1996, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco delivered a provocative decision. It ruled that the Constitution guaranteed a "liberty right" to assisted suicide. What precedent did this sweeping pronouncement have? The Supreme Co
Opinion: The New Abortion Debate; Alone for Others; Trusting Laws, Trusting Others First Things, April 1996: The recent abortion debate has taken an interesting turn. Some abortion advocates have admitted that abortion is the taking of a human life. While on the other side, many pro-lifers have doubted the purpose of the continued effort to seek legal prohibiti
Patenting Life: No First Things, May 1996: This essay addresses the specific problems of patenting human genetic material. Such a practice, the author contends, violates the sanctity of human life. It is argued that allowing patented human cells and tissues to be sold in a scientific marketplace
Patenting Life: Yes First Things, May 1996: Prostestations over the patenting of human gene material and genetically engineered animals have essentially created a non-issue. The religious leaders who have raised moral issues related to these practices have failed to display either sound theologica
A Perfect Identifier Bob Jones: DNA testing helps British police fight crime, but will liberty be another casualty? This article from World Magazine explores the implications.
Physical and Psychological Complications of Abortion: The woman is a second victim of abortion. There is physical and psychological damage caused by abortion. We will look at how to begin the healing process when a woman comes to realize how far-reaching her decision was and wonders if there is any hope of making her situation better.
Post-Abortion Syndrome (Part 1) Physical and Psychological Complications of Abortion: Part 1 of the Physical and Psychological Complications of Abortion. Post-Abortion Syndrome (PAS) is a term that has been used to describe the emotional and psychological consequences of abortion. Whenever we go through a traumatic experience, without the opportunity to process the experience emotionally, we can expect a delayed negative reaction. This article examines Post-Abortion Syndrome.
The Pro-Life Movement Then and Now First Things, November 1998: Andrusko reviews two chronicles of the pro-life movement.
Procedural Risks & Complications (Part 4) Physical and Psychological Complications of Abortion: Part 4 of the Physical and Psychological Complications of Abortion. This article explains the process and potential complications of surgical and chemical abortions.
The Public Policy of Casey v. Planned Parenthood Table of Contents: In the most recent U.S. Supreme Court case to review the constitutionality of legal abortion, Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, the Court said in what is probably the key passage to the entire opinion that continued legal abortion was necessitated by the reliance of society on legal abortion. There are four problems with this central argument for legal abortion: The Court has made an argument that undermines the ultimate interests of feminism, the Court allows society to rely on abortion, which is murder, the Court is supporting the existence of the sexual revolution, and the Court is assisting in the perpetuation of violence in society.
Recommended Reading Texans United for Life: Bound books and online books recommended by Texans United for Life.
Religion and Medical Ethics: Looking Back, Looking Forward First Things, December 1996: "Religion and Medical Ethics: Looking Back, Looking Forward" is edited by Allen Verhey. It is reviewed by Gilbert Meilaender. This volume is a collection of essays by speakers who attended a 1993 conference entitled "Ethics in Medicine and Technology."
Requiem for the Unborn First Things, August/September 1996: A recently released CD entitled "Sacred Music of the 20th Century" is primarily devoted to a cantana by John Boyle called "Requiem for the Unborn." This piece was recorded by Kurt Sprenger, the Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Warsaw Natio
Resource List (Part 3) Physical and Psychological Complications of Abortion: Part 3 of the Physical and Psychological Complications of Abortion. This article lists several resources to help women through the complications of overcoming the abortion process.
Rights and Wrong Leadership University Special Feature: It is time again to recall Roe v. Wade. Pro-lifers mourn the effect of this infamous Supreme court decision. Abortion advocates celebrate it. Most are in the middle. Where do you stand on this controversial matter?
Roe v. McCorvey Norma McCorvey with Gary Thomas: Norma McCorvey was the plaintiff in Roe v. Wade. This 1973 Supreme Court decision in her favor effectively struck down any restrictions on abortion. She used her status symbol role in the Feminist movement to promote the Pro-Choice cause and to work in the abortion industry. More recently, she changed her mind and heart regarding the issue of abortion. This is her story.
Safe Sex and the Facts Raymond G. Bohlin, Ph.D.: Sexually transmitted diseases are at huge epidemic proportions. Young people especially need to be informed of this epidemic and the necessity of choosing abstinence until marriage as the only truly safe sex.
The Sanctity of Human Life: Harvesting Human Fetal Parts: Once a sanctity of human life standard is abandoned for a quality of life ethic, a slippery ethical slope leads to horrors undreamed of even 20 years ago. Legalized abortion has led to the sale of fetal tissue and eventually to legalized euthanasia.
Second Thoughts About Body Parts First Things, April 1996: The need for organ tranplants far outweighs the supply from available donors. How might the supply be increased? What are the main points of concern as transplants become more routine?
Seduced by Death: Doctors, Patients, and the Dutch Cure First Things, May 1997: "Seduced by Death: Doctors, Patients, and the Dutch Cure" by Herbert Hendin explores physician-assisted suicide. Reviewed by Eric Chevlin.
Sexual Purity Dr. Ray Bohlin: Sexual purity is not an old Biblical idea that has lost its usefulness. It is a timeless principle with 21st century consequences if ignored.
A Tale of Three Pregnancies First Things, March 1997: Cher and her famed co-stars made a movie about the abortion issue entitled "If These Walls Could Talk." It is filled with Hollywood strereotypes: bigoted pro-lifers, a sainted feminist and an enlightened conversion. Wendy D. Shalit provides this review.
The Tasks of Healing (Part 2) Physical and Psychological Complications of Abortion: Part 2 of the Physical and Psychological Complications of Abortion. This article explores ways a woman can begin the healing process.
Terminal Logic Leadership University Special Feature: Dr. Kevorkian has challenged the system again, this time moving from assisted suicide to euthanasia. While even some of his former supporters denounce his latest project, others continue to applaud his efforts.
Testing the Medical Covenant: Active Euthanasia and Health Care Reform First Things, November 1996: William May's "Testing the Medical Covenant: Active Euthanasia and Health Care Reform" is reviewed by Gilbert Meilaender. Unlike other books which oppose euthanasia, this one ties the issue in with the question of health care reform. The author does arg
Thought Reform and the Psychology of Homosexual Advocacy President's Address at the 1995 NARTH Meeting: Dr. Charles Socarides, M.D., addressed the 1995 NARTH meeting with these remarks.
Untangling a Ball Les Sillars, World Magazine: A six-paragraph, popular-level primer on the human genome and the job of those cataloging its code.
We Hold These Truths: A Statement of Christian Conscience and Citizenship First Things, October 1997: To commemorate the 221st anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a group of church and organization leaders put forth this statement to reaffirm the principles of that most distinctive of American documents.
What Happened at Beijing First Things, January 1996: The UN's 1994 Conference on Population and Development was not supposed to have been fertile ground for abortion and population control proponents. Some sought to advance radical sexual and abortion agendas throughout the duration of the conference.
Winning isn't the Only Thing Douglas Yeo: Douglas Yeo, Bass Trombonist of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and member of the faculty at Boston University School for the Arts, is heavily involved in influencing public education and policy in his community, Lexington, Massachusetts. This article outlines his experience organizing a public referendum ballot guestion on the issue of condom distribution in public schools and how the music of Alban Berg and J.S. Bach was instrumental In providing him with insight and a proper perspective.