Abortion and the Ethical Status of the Human Embryo/Fetal Child
The Ethics of In Vitro Fertilization, Abortion in Light of Scripture
When does fertilized human tissue become worthy of "person-hood"? many secular ethicists have taken the position that certain physiologic and psychological characteristics must be present first. Up to that point the manipulation, experimentation, and resultant death of fertilized "clumps of cells" is acceptable as part of the process of improving the knowledge and medical care for those who already meet the requirements for protection as human beings with person-hood. It is the opinion of the author of this website that the Bible is very clear as to when human life begins-fertilization of the ovum by the sperm, and that "person-hood" begins at that time. See comments at the bottom of the page regarding Jesus' forgiveness.
Psalm 139:13-16 KJV (JGL comments in parentheses)
13 "For You formed my inward parts; (Organ development)
You covered me in my mother’s womb.(embryonic/fetal child in the placental sac.)
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,(fetal child with the bony frame forming)
When I was made in secret,(Out of sight in David's day.)
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. (embryo without bony structure implanted in the uterine wall.)
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.(fertilized ovum)
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them."
God has had a plan for every embryonic/fetal human being even before fertilization occurred and also before birth. Note that development goes from verse 16 to 13.
These issues are discussed in more detail in the following papers-all published in public newspapers.
Psalm 139:13-16 KJV (JGL comments in parentheses)
13 "For You formed my inward parts; (Organ development)
You covered me in my mother’s womb.(embryonic/fetal child in the placental sac.)
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,(fetal child with the bony frame forming)
When I was made in secret,(Out of sight in David's day.)
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. (embryo without bony structure implanted in the uterine wall.)
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.(fertilized ovum)
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them."
God has had a plan for every embryonic/fetal human being even before fertilization occurred and also before birth. Note that development goes from verse 16 to 13.
These issues are discussed in more detail in the following papers-all published in public newspapers.
Newspaper Article Regarding the Ethical Status of the Embryonic and Fetal Human Being-1984 (Magnifier can enlarge print.)
| responding_to_faith_at_the_frontier_c__cc.pdf |
Further articles on the embryo debate and abortion-1984. (Please note that the scrolling format does not always open quickly but can be opened by clicking the box in the lower right corner. Magnifier enlarges print.)
| discussion_on_embryo_debate_a__cc.pdf |
The Ethics of In Vitro Fertilization-1984
"Children are a wonderful blessing from God. They teach us much about God’s love for us and our covenant relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. Psalm 127:3 says 'Behold children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward.' Probably most people would say there are limits to the way a child can be obtained, that, for example, the buying and selling of children is not acceptable. Scientists have recently come up with several new techniques that offer alternative ways of obtaining children. Among these are In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Artificial Insemination by Father or Donor (AIH or AID), and Surrogate Motherhood. These techniques are part of a broader class of procedures available for the manipulation of the life of man. Some of these other procedures are contraception, sterilization, abortion, infanticide, suicide, euthanasia, genetic engineering, and cloning. Is IVF an acceptable procedure for obtaining a child?" In this article there is a broader discussion of the status of the embryo/fetal human and issues regarding the experimentation on human life. The over-riding principle is that all human life is precious and should be protected. See rest of article at the below link.
JGL Note: The three previous articles were written at a time when IVF was still being experimented with, and there was wastage and experimentation of human embryos thus a loss of human life. Now that the method has been more perfected, hopefully a married couple will understand that each embryo represents a unique new human being.
The article below was given the title by the publisher not myself so I added the-A Pro Life Position in which I argue against abortion as presently practiced.
| abortion_cc.pdf |
In Striking Contrast to the Sanctity of Life View see Below Articles
The American Academy of Pediatrics Position on Abortion (e.g. "the morning after pill") which is contrary to the Pro-Life Position (see JGL articles above and below)
"The American Academy of Pediatrics has issued a policy on refusal to provide information or treatment on the basis of conscience. According to the policy, pediatricians have a duty to inform their patients about relevant, legally available treatment options to which they object and have a moral obligation to refer patients to other physicians who will provide and educate about those services. Failure to inform/educate about availability and access to emergency-contraception services violates this duty to their adolescent and young adult patients." www.nationalreview.com/blogs/print/334032. Dated 11/26/12.
Planned Parenthood Selling Baby Parts-Tragic (see report from CMI. Link below).
"Planned Parenthood has received negative press recently after some of its representatives were filmed negotiating prices for the sale of organs from aborted babies. Many have expressed outrage, and rightly so, because it is an abomination. Not only does Moloch want his child sacrifices, he wants to turn a profit on the deal! But why is it evil to sell tiny livers and hearts? Of course, the answer is, because a tiny human being was killed in the process."
Romans and Infanticide-nothing new Under the Sun
"These remains were already ancient by the time they were excavated from the English countryside in 1912 and put into boxes. Eyers estimates they are now about 1,800 years old, dating back to the time when England was part of the Roman Empire.These 35 babies appear to have died soon after they were born, thevictims of infanticide. But while these deaths clearly seem unnatural, Eyers and a fellow researcher disagree on the circumstances behind them, with Eyers suspecting a brothel was to blame...In fact, the spike in deaths right around the time of birth matches the profile of infant remains found in a sewer in Ashkelon, a site in Roman-occupied Israel believed to hold a brothel."