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Writer's pictureLilith

The actual science of fetal development

Updated: Jul 10, 2019




So not only have we discussed the religious aspects of how the Christian Bible actually allows for abortion, in addition to allowing for fetuses to be ripped from the womb, but we have also looked at what US history tells us about access to abortion for women in this country.


Now it’s a good time to see what science has to say. In fact, as you’ll see from the quoted links below, there is very little going on at different gestational periods that would indicate proof of life. Part of the reason that the “heartbeat“ bills have taken so much flack is because there is no actual heart developed at six or eight weeks in utero. There are cardiac cells there that mimic the mother’s heartbeat, but it is not a four chambered heart, nor can it beat on its own.


Most organs aren’t fully formed for another few months. And what we used to call “quickening” very roughly translates to viability...EXCEPT...movement of the fetus also does not indicate life. In modern times we know this—we’ve seen unanimated hearts suddenly start beating again, simply because of an electrical charge applied to it. Even other muscles will move from an applied electric impulse. So what ultimately makes the difference medically? Brain activity. In short, the nucleus that drives the whole body. This is why doctors allow for families to pull the plug on a brain dead patient. They are no longer alive. In which case, how could a fetus with no brain formed yet be considered a life? Or a fetus whose brain activity has stopped with no detectable heart beat any longer? Non-viability means no life present.




 

“In no way, shape or form is a 20-week fetus viable. There’s no evidence of a 20-week fetus surviving, even with intensive medical care.”

–American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Executive Vice President Hal Lawrence, quoted in a news article, May 13, 2015


https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2015/05/26/setting-the-record-straight-on-measuring-fetal-age-and-the-20-week-abortion/?utm_term=.683186baf085



 

So when exactly does viability occur? Here’s why that’s a hard question—in the first trimester, even as far as eight weeks in, the brain and heart are just beginning to form. It takes well past the 20-week mark, which Dr Lawrence mentioned, to get enough brain tissue and neural pathways formed to sustain life. Furthermore, the lungs are barely formed even into the 30th week, and not quite fully formed then. The brain is also finishing development into weeks 33-36. But don’t doctors pull off premature births? Frequently no. Premies born before week 25 are a very rare exception. More likely the fetus does not survive. In cases where there is no more detectable brain or heart activity, the fetus is considered dead inside the womb and the mother is now at risk as well.


One thing is certain however. There’s simply not enough functional organs formed yet prior to 25 week—despite any movement—to be a sustainable life. See for yourself:


https://m.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/How-Your-Fetus-Grows-During-Pregnancy



 

In light of all of this, it bears repeating that most abortions take place WELL before the second trimester is complete. Most abortions done after that juncture are typically because there is a risk to the mother and/or viability is no longer valid.


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