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DUNKIRK, Maryland, Dec. 13 /Christian Newswire/ -- A delegation from the Family of the Americas Foundation (FAF) has returned from the People's Republic of China following talks intended to steer the world's most populated nation away from its compulsory population control policies. The five-person delegation was led by Family of the Americas Foundation President Mercedes Arzú Wilson, L.H.D.

FAF representatives first traveled to China in 1986 to teach the Ovulation Method of Natural Family Planning (NFP). FAF officials have now made a dozen trips to the country to train thousands of new teachers.

"We wanted to present a positive, life-affirming and family-strengthening alternative to forced abortion, sterilization, and the damaging effects of artificial birth control," Wilson said after returning to the U.S. from the week-long trip that began on December 1, 2007. "Today, the most prestigious universities in Shanghai and Beijing, along with several government-run hospitals, are teaching the Ovulation Method."

The Ovulation Method is a scientifically and medically proven technique that should not be confused with the Rhythm or Temperature Methods of NFP. This newly enhanced family planning program has always been greeted with great enthusiasm by Chinese family planning officials and physicians.

On their most recent visit to China, the FAF delegation addressed groups of educators, family planning officials, physicians, nurses, and students. "The people of China are anxious to spread this knowledge throughout their country," Wilson said. FAF unveiled the latest editions of its NFP educational materials, including the addition of a CD-ROM. The Ovulation Method program may also be used on cell phones, iPods, and similar equipment. "A woman is now able to keep a record of her fertility cycle on these devices, millions of which are now in use in China."

Members of the FAF delegation included Nancy Budowski, a Master Teacher of the Ovulation Method, who spoke about the rampant spread of sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S. Judith Leonard, director of Family Life and Natural Family Planning for the Diocese of Wichita, Kansas, addressed the links between induced abortion and breast cancer and between artificial birth control and several major health conditions, including cancer, stroke and heart disease. Douglas R. Scott, Jr., president of Life Decisions International, offered practical suggestions for convincing Chinese youth to lead a chaste life and embrace NFP after they marry. Master Teacher James Landi provided graphics and videos he had produced for the Chinese audience. Wilson spoke about studies that verify the effectiveness and practicality of the Ovulation Method and the dramatic low divorce rate with couples that practice this form of NFP.

The FAF delegation was delighted to learn that the Chinese family planning officials had conducted an additional study of their own on the effectiveness of the Ovulation Method. After receiving the overwhelmingly positive results, the officials decided to introduce a slogan coined and used in the State of Kansas to promote the Ovulation Method--"99 percent effective; 100 percent natural. Your body knows."

Two Chinese women who have used the Ovulation Method for several years praised the program's effectiveness and ease of use. They also noted that use of NFP had strengthened their marriages. The women had suffered physical and emotional consequences from having to endure induced abortions as a result of becoming pregnant while using IUD's, pills and condoms.

Professor Jin-xun Xu, M.D., director of the Projection & Statistics Division of the Shanghai Municipal Commission and Family Planning, expressed a strong desire to expand the working relationship and cooperation between FAF and his country's family planning office.

"Women in China are like women everywhere," Wilson said. "They want to be treated with respect. They want to safeguard their health and emotional wellbeing. The women of China now have an option that does both."

Wilson, author of "Love & Family: Raising a Traditional Family in a Secular World," has been a leading voice in the promotion of the Ovulation Method of NFP for several decades. Her most recently released book, Love & Fertility, provides practical information about the Ovulation Method, along with the latest scientific research and statistical evaluations from around the world.

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