XVDHMAK@VCUVM1 (Michael Kline) (02/28/90)
Abortion #4 - Part 1 of 2.
This got to be kind of long, so I broke it into 2 parts. This part
concerns itself with the development of the baby itself, and the humanity
of that offspring.
John Ankerburg Show, 02/25/90. Opening comments.
John Ankerburg: "90% of the 1.5 million abortions each year take place
during the first 3 months of pregnancy. That is the first week through the
twelfth week. Pro Choice people argue that a woman has the right to have an
abortion, admit that there is now doubt that the child is alive, and that
it is human. But because it is small, or not fully formed, they believe
that the child is not yet fully human, and not a person. Therefore they
think they can kill it. Now in this program, you're going to see the
scientific evidence that proves the Pro Choice argument is wrong asserting
that the growing child is no more than a blob of tissues or the product of
conception. You will see the marvelous stages of a child's development in
the womb. You are also going to see the abortion techniques used today to
destroy human life.
But, I'd like to begin with a tragic story. A father walked into the
delivery room of a hospital, and in a rage, threw his newborn son against
the floor, and killed him. This man was charged with murder and put in
jail. Ironically, he was punished for an act, namely killing his son, that
could have been done by an abortionist the previous day with out any
penalty.
When I read this account, I thought, there must be something wrong with
our laws. Why is a child only protected 24 hours after it is born and not
24 hours before? Did the child change is some significant way? No.
Biologically we know there is no difference with the child. So then, why
does the location, inside or outside of the womb, make a crucial difference
to its moral status? And let me ask you, do you think there should be a
difference in the moral status of say, a nine month old child in the womb
as compared to a newborn baby? If you say no, then going back in time, when
would you judge that the baby has change so significantly that he doesn't
deserve the right to be protected as a living human being? Well to help you
answer this question, let's look at the baby as it develops in the womb,
through the different stages of pregnancy."
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(much on the different stages of development... summarized)
At month 5, the baby has: body is formed, sound provokes him, hiccups,
kicks, punches, they relate to moods and emotions. The heart pumps 300
gallons a day. They are viable with new technology. This is why some
states, PA for instance, have enacted laws to prohibit abortion past this
point.
At 4 months, the baby has: face is taking on expression, hair is
growing on its head, eyebrows and eyelashes are present. Heart is pumping
blood. At this point, a doctor holds a 4 month aborted fetus up in his
hands. I don't know the method used to abort, but the child was perfect
except for a crushed skull and a black and blue mid section.
At 3 months: arms, fingers, toes, hands. Is sensitive to touch. Can
turn head, curl toes. Genitals are present and already contain premature
eggs or sperm. Brain waves for at least 6 weeks, heart for 8 weeks or so.
At 8 weeks: 8-12 weeks. Every organ is already present. Heart beats,
stomach produces digestive juices, liver makes blood, kidneys begin,
fingerprints are present, eyelids and palms sensitive to touch. It can suck
thumb at 9 weeks. At 8 weeks eyes form and darken. Can feel pain from 8
weeks on.
"Science tells us from this time until adulthood the changes in the
child's body will only be in dimension and in the refinement of working
parts."
The first 30 days: From the moment of conception until death, no new
genetic information is added. The genetic coding from the moment of
conception is fixed, and determines many characteristics of the individual
making them unique. Not a potential human being, but a human being with
great potential. (a day by day development of the first 30 days was given
for the organs, arms, legs, etc. skipped to keep brief(?)(briefer?))
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What does science say about human life in the womb? Is it fully human?
Prof. Micheline Matthews- Roth, Harvard University Medical School "It
is incorrect to say that the biological data cannot be decisive. It is
scientifically correct to say that an individual human life begins at
conception when the egg and sperm join to form the zygote. This developing
human always is a member of our species in all stages of its life."
Dr. Alfred Bongiovanni, University of PA Medical School - "Standard
medical texts have long taught that human life begins at conception. I am
no more prepared to say that these early stages of development represent an
incomplete human being than I would be to say that the child prior to the
dramatic effects of puberty is not a human being. This is human life at
every stage."
Dr. Jerome Lejeune, University of Descarte, Paris France - "Each
individual has a unique beginning, the moment of its conception."
Professor Hymie Gordan Mayo Clinic, before the congress of the United
States - "By all the criteria of molecular biology, life is present from
the moment of conception. Now we can say unequivocally that the question of
when life begins is an established scientific fact."
Quotes from C. Everett Koop and Bernard Nathanson confirming followed.
Their arguments had been presented before.
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MAKS> This just got to be too long, so I split it into 2 parts. The
second part concerns itself with the different abortion procedures. I got
quite depressed writing it up. It's also sad, that with the qualifications
of the above individuals, there will be posts saying they are wrong and
don't know what they are talking about. Yet, these individuals didn't say
anything for or against abortion, but said the baby was human. Guilt will
drive some to say, "No it's not..." Part 2 covers this some as well. <MAKS
In His Love,
Michael A. Kline, Sr. SSE
VDH, Technical Support
(804)786-1559
XVDHMAK at VCUVM1
Richmond, Virginia