Exodus, Exodus, Exodus. Were people nicer to women when you were written?

 "Some contend that life begins at conception. Hence, abortion at any time is murder. Taken to its logical consequence, 1) a natural miscarriage is murder, and a formerly pregnant woman must be punished; and 2) incarceration of a pregnant woman punishes an innocent person. Yet, the concept that a fetus is a person contradicts teachings in the Old Testament, the core of Abrahamic religions. Exodus 21:22-25 says fatal harm to a woman (pregnant or not) is punished by execution of the offender, whereas fatal harm to a fetus merely results in a fine.

States are passing or contemplating laws banning abortion after six or 15 weeks of gestation, or defining personhood at conception. Are such laws medically sound? To answer this, let’s pose the converse: What are the criteria for death? The consensus among medical and legal professionals is for three concurrent signs: failure of the heart, lungs, and brain.

The rudiments of the heart, lungs, and brain appear during fetal development, but when they function is the critical issue. Though cardiac activity begins at six weeks, lungs are only capable of independent function by 24-28 weeks. Ask parents sitting in neonatal intensive care units while their prematurely birthed offspring teeter on the brink of life. Brain activity is complicated. Let’s take control of opposition of the thumb as an indicator — after all, this action distinguishes humans. Volitional control of the digits develops after birth.

Thus, if the three criteria for death guide our definition of the onset of life, there is no time when abortion should be illegal. Distressing as it may be, that includes rare third-trimester abortions. Such heart-rending decisions must be made by the woman and her physician, not politicians.

Using conception, six or 15 weeks of gestation as when life begins is flawed religiously, ethically, and medically. Abortion bans disrespect the diversity of the composition and religious practice of Americans, contradict medical knowledge, and destroy the separation of the church and government. Gage warned, 'Unless the American people rouse to instant action we shall soon find our government turned into a monarchy, church and state united, and the people no better than serfs.'

We must address abortion rights with knowledge, intelligence and respect."

Michael Miller lives in Florence. 

https://www.gazettenet.com/Guest-columnist-Miller-53861024