The pro-life, pro-choice debate today remains one of the most argued topic. As Christians, our beliefs firmly hold, life begins at conception. Preservation of life is sacred and dutiful. Pro-choice supporters contest this by arguing, a woman has the choice of when life should begin. The question then becomes; what other arguments could convince non-religious liberalists life begins at conception? It is prudent to remember people don’t take kindly to criticisms especially when those criticisms feel like judgment. Arming yourself with facts is the best way to communicate pro-life views.
Pro-choice activists fail to recognize fetuses as human beings with inherent rights. They argue the fetus is not yet a person, and does not deserve the same rights as a person. It’s a flawed argument because we should consider all humans with inherent rights, even the unborn. Furthermore, pro-choice activists fail to recognize fetuses as human beings with inherent rights. They believe a fetus cannot be considered human until birth.
Scientific argument
Pro-choice activists argue a fetus is not a person, and so it does not deserve the same rights as a person. If the fetus is not a human being with inherent rights until after birth, what of children born with disabilities? Disabled children are yet to fully develop as fetuses. Following this argument, does an infant born without arms or legs have no moral worth because of their disability? After birth, don’t disabled children have the same rights as other people and not considered any less human?
In this light, the pro-life movement is not trying to take away women’s rights but tries to protect the rights of potential human beings. The pro-life movement seeks to prevent the loss of life of unborn children, especially those who cannot speak for themselves and are unable to tell their own stories. Further, the human heart is among the first parts of the human body to develop. At around 3-4 weeks after conception, placing the fetal heartbeat is possible.
Within six weeks, the fetus develops ears, eyes, arms, nose, and mouth. Further, in support of pro-life debate, are arguments of the effect abortions have on women’s mental health. A report by Guttmacher Institute states 1 in 4 women experiences mental health issues after having an abortion. This is because women who have had an abortion are more likely to experience anxiety and depression as a result of trauma they experienced. High risk of complications when obtaining an illegal abortion, such as sepsis, hemorrhage and incomplete abortion contribute to this mental health effect.
Legal argument
Legally, Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling established in 1973 stated women had the right to terminate a pregnancy before the fetus becomes viable outside of the womb. The ruling was overturned making abortion illegal in some states. This increases the chances of having illegal abortions. Illegal abortions are statistically more likely to be unsafe and have detrimental consequences to women’s health. Legally, scientifically, or religiously, life is not a choice and should not be treated as such.
About The Contributor
