Series V. TOPIC FILES, 1845-2004 (#69.3-188.4, FD.3, OD.1)

Series V, TOPIC FILES, 1845-2004 (#69.3-188.4, FD.3, OD.1) consists of newspaper clippings, published and unpublished articles, printed ephemera, correspondence, handwritten notes and lists, business cards, transcripts of media appearances and court proceedings, financial and legal information, and draft legislation compiled and organized by Stanton. The materials generally relate to three core life issues: abortion and reproduction, euthanasia, and bioethics. Also included are files documenting the work of individuals and organizations active in pro-life and pro-choice work. Although materials center around the United States, there are also legislation transcripts, statistics, news articles, and printed materials regarding abortion and euthanasia in numerous countries, with euthanasia particularly documented in the Netherlands and United Kingdom. The topics in this series were major areas of concern for Stanton and represent the scope of his research and work in the pro-life community. Most of the materials were collected by Stanton. Materials created by Stanton in the form of personal writings, notes, and correspondence are also found throughout the series.

Clippings and articles throughout this series include coverage of abortion legislation; Catholic pro-life perspectives; pro-life and pro-abortion activism; the AIDS epidemic; and birth control methods, particularly natural family planning and medical advances in birth control. Clippings related to bioethics are also well represented, including considerations of genetic testing, Tay-Sachs disease, anencephaly, abortion, birth control and contraception, fetal experimentation, scientific use of fetal tissue, fetology, euthanasia, and hospice care. Clippings follow prominent right to die/euthanasia cases including those of Christine Busalacchi, Elizabeth Bouvia, Paul Brophy, Julie Brown, Nancy Cruzan, Brother Fox, Marcia Gray, Karen Quinlan, Hector Rodas, and Earle Spring, as well as partial court testimony from the Brophy trial (#109.1-109.2). Coverage of other legal cases such as that of "Baby Doe," Roe v. Wade, and Nazi criminal trials are also included. Newspaper clippings also document the progress of "Death with Dignity" legislation at the state level, particularly in Washington, Oregon, Massachusetts, and California, as well as profiles of the Society for the Right to Die and Hemlock Society founder Derek Humphry. Catholic publications, both national and Boston-based, include articles on abortion; marriage; sexual health and education; LGBTQ issues; papal positions; statements; and writings such as Pope Paul IV's 1968 encyclical letter, Humanae vitae. Additionally, Christian journals and publications are represented, including those from The Family Research Institute and the American Life League, and the Journal of Christian Healthcare. Newspaper and pro-life publication clippings also follow the work of pro-life and pro-choice activists, including pro-choice activist Bill Baird and male pro-life leaders including Stanton; Randall Terry, founder of Operation Rescue; activist Charles Swain, etc. Medical journal and public health articles address issues of abortion procedures and post-abortion psychology, advancements in obstetrics, contraception, genetic and embryonic research, pain control, medical definitions of death and brain death, and life-sustaining treatments.

Printed materials in this series contain information on genetic counseling; medical and legal options for sexual assault survivors; sexual health and education, including sex education in response to the AIDS epidemic; population education; and legal information for right to die issues. Examples include a booklet published by the 1969-1970 Boston University Student Union titled "Birth Control, Abortion, and Venereal Disease: A Guide for the Boston University Student" (#174.5), a booklet from the Boston Rape Crisis Center containing medical and legal information (#168.1), and numerous instructional materials for do-not-resuscitate orders, living wills, and Christian living wills (#140.1-141.2). Pamphlets and booklets throughout the series contain position statements and action agendas from pro-life and pro-choice organizations; parent groups; pharmaceutical companies; right to die organizations, including the Society for the Right to Die and Hemlock Society; and government entities such as the Supreme Court and Boston Public Schools. Statistics and surveys from the Population Reference Bureau and illustrated informational sex education pamphlets from family planning clinics such as Montreal Women's Liberation, The Family Planning and Population Information Center (Syracuse University), and LISTEN from the Narcotics Education, Inc., are also included (#172.6).

Correspondence in this series includes letters related to Stanton's pro-life activism, including his legislative endeavors and his research on issues of abortion, bioethics, right to die issues, and sex education. Letters also reflect Stanton's notable connection to Catholic leadership and organizations across the United States and throughout the world. Included are letters from prominent figures, such as the Archbishop of Boston Humberto Medeiros who wrote to Stanton and the Value of Life Committee expressing his thanks for Stanton's work on behalf of the Catholic Church during a pro-life action to keep the Massachusetts Abortion Statute in 1972. Stanton received additional letters of support for his opposition to in vitro fertilization from the archbishops of several major American cities, such as Philadelphia, New York, Detroit, and Los Angeles. Correspondents in this series include other notable pro-life activists such as Mildred Jefferson; Marie Dietz, founder of the Center for Pro-Life Studies; and Margaret White, former vice-president of the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child. Correspondence with fellow pro-life activists on right to die issues is also included, particularly with Julie Grimstad, director of the Center for the Rights of the Terminally Ill; and Mary Senander, director of the Human Life Alliance of Minnesota, Inc., and spokesperson for the International Anti-Euthanasia Task Force. There are also letters exchanged between Stanton and The White House and other offices within the Federal Government expressing disapproval of or support for abortion legislation or public statements, as well as suggestions for enacting a greater pro-life agenda. The manufacture and use of RU-486, also known as the abortion pill, was met with opposition from pro-life groups. Activism against RU-486 is described in correspondence between Stanton and the Pro-Life Action League, and in direct mail and press releases detailing plans for joining a protest meeting at the French Consulate in Boston in 1993 (#171.4).

This series also includes Stanton's writings and materials pertaining to his public appearances, including his speech addressing in vitro fertilization and embryonic transfer given at the 1980 National Right to Life Convention (#182.3) and a syndication list and interview transcript related to his appearance on The Phil Donahue Show's episode on in vitro fertilization in 1979 (#147.1). Other writings by Stanton in this series can be found in the form of handwritten notes, drafted legislation, statements, articles, and editorial work.

Also within this series are clippings, publications, correspondence, financial information, and donor lists for organizations, funds, and foundations. Included are correspondence, meeting minutes, clippings, and Life Advocacy Briefings for Massachusetts Citizens for Life; and there are extensive materials related to the National Right Life Committee, including board minutes and related meeting materials, direct mail, financial information, publicity, reports, media and education campaign materials, press releases, correspondence and internal memos, etc. Series is arranged alphabetically.