Abortion

Fertilization normally takes place within one day of intercourse, but can occur up to six days later. At fertilization, the genetic composition of a preborn human is formed. This genetic information determines gender, eye color, hair color, facial features, and influences characteristics such as intelligence and personality.

Three (3) Weeks after Fertilization, the eyes and spinal cord are visible and the developing brain has two lobes.

Four (4) Weeks after Fertilization, the heart is beating and a circulatory system is in place. The portion of the brain associated with consciousness (the cerebrum) and internal organs such as the lungs are beginning to develop and can be identified.

Seven (7) Weeks after Fertilization, muscles and nerves begin working together. When the upper lip is tickled, the arms move backwards. The portion of the brain associated with consciousness (the cerebrum) has divided into hemispheres.

Nine (9) Weeks after Fertilization, more than 90% of the body structures found in a full-grown human are present. The medical classification changes from an embryo to a fetus. This dividing line was chosen by embryologists because from this point forward, most development involves growth in existing body structures instead of the formation of new ones. The preborn human moves body parts without any outside stimulation.

Ten (10) Weeks after Fertilization, all parts of the brain and spinal cord are formed. The heart pumps blood to every part of the body. The whole body is sensitive to touch except for portions of the head. The preborn human makes facial expressions.

Twelve (12) Weeks after Fertilization, electrical signals from the nervous system are measurable. After an abortion, efforts to suckle will sometimes be observed.

Fourteen (14) Weeks after Fertilization, the preborn human makes coordinated movements of the arms and legs.

Sixteen (16) Weeks after Fertilization, the preborn human makes eye movements.

Eighteen (18) Weeks after Fertilization, the portion of the brain responsible for functions such as reasoning and memory (the cerebral cortex) has the same number of nerve cells as a full-grown adult.

Twenty (20) Weeks after Fertilization, the preborn human sleeps, awakes and can hear sounds.

Up through approximately this point in time, according to the Supreme Court's rulings in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a pregnant woman can abort at will.

Twenty-four (24) Weeks after Fertilization, the blink-startle reflex and taste buds are functional. The preborn human will swallow more amniotic fluid if a sweetener is added to it. The grip is strong enough to hold onto an object that is moving up and down. If born and given specialized care, the survival rate is more than 80%.

Twenty-eight (28) Weeks after Fertilization, if exposed to an 85 decibel noise while sleeping (about as loud as a blender), preborn humans exhibit the motor behaviors that accompany the crying state. Premature infants born at this time are more sensitive to pain than infants who are born at 38 weeks, and infants who are born at 38 weeks are more sensitive to pain than infants at 3-12 months after birth. If born and given specialized care, the survival rate is more than 95%.

Thirty-eight (38) Weeks after Fertilization, average point in time when humans are born. At birth, the medical classification changes from a fetus to a neonate.

At any point prior to birth, according to the Supreme Court's rulings in Roe v. Wade, Doe v. Bolton, and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a pregnant woman can abort to preserve her health. One example from Roe v. Wade of what may be considered harmful to a mother's health is the work of caring for a child. The Roe v. Wade verdict provides several examples of what may constitute a risk to the health of the mother. These include the stigma of unwed motherhood and the distress associated with the unwanted child. Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, which were issued by the Supreme Court on the same day with the order that they are to be read together, mandate that abortion be legal up until the point of birth if any one physician willing to perform an abortion decides it is necessary to preserve a mother's health.

In 2007, twin brothers Ieuan and Gabriel Jones were born at 31 weeks gestation. Eleven weeks before this, it was found that Gabriel was underweight and his heart three times normal size. Doctors thought he would die and suggested an abortion to protect the life of his twin. An attempt was made to sever his umbilical cord, but doctors were unable to cut through it. Subsequently, the mother's placenta was cut in half to isolate the twins from one another. The boys were delivered via caesarian section, and as of November 2007, were seven months old and both healthy.

Gianna Jessen was born in 1977 after surviving an abortion at seven-and-a-half months gestation. She has cerebral palsy as a result of the procedure. She is now 31-years old and is a marathon runner, writer, singer, and travels the world to campaign against abortion.

In July 2000, two registered nurses who worked in the labor and delivery unit of Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois testified before a U.S. Congressional subcommittee. Both described instances at the hospital in which they had personally seen babies who were born alive after an abortion and left to die without any care or comfort provided. A spokesman for the hospital�s parent corporation estimated that 10-20% of the abortions it performs on preborn human with genetic defects result in live births for short periods of time.

(The above information is from Just Facts: A Resource for Independent Thinkers)