What a blessing to catch a glimpse of a Bald Eagle soaring here in the Shenandoah Valley. After an absence of many years, it’s refreshing to know that they are reproducing again in this part of their former range.
It is important, however, not to destroy or even tamper with an eagle egg as this could result in a $5,000 fine and a year in prison. And rightfully so, for even though they are no longer endangered, each egg holds a future majestic adult symbolizing our great nation.
Sadly, unborn humans do not receive this same protection. Since Roe v. Wade, over 62.5 million unborn children have been aborted and destroyed in America. Thankfully, on December 1, 2021, the United States Supreme Court heard the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case that could greatly reduce legal abortions.
The Court will decide if a Mississippi law limiting abortions only to babies less than 15 weeks gestation is legal, as opposed to the current standard of 28 weeks. Meanwhile, medical advancements have enabled younger babies to survive and Baby Curtis, who was born at 21 weeks, turned a year old last fall!
Just because a baby cannot survive outside the womb doesn’t mean that he or she is not a human being with infinite worth or of any less value than a person dependent on dialysis or insulin. Most of us rely on medications of some type without which we may not be reading this.
Researchers have examined babies at 15 weeks gestation and Katrina Furth has compiled a list of facts regarding them. Doctors have found that by that point, every major organ has developed and most are functional. This includes the baby’s tiny heart which has already beaten nearly 16 million times and is pumping 26 quarts of blood each day.
In addition, a 15 week old preborn baby can move his or her fingers separately and is usually sucking its thumb. The child is also moving its hands purposefully toward its eyes and mouth and right or left hand dominance is already occurring.
These movements are directed by the tiny brain which is creating 250,000 neurons per minute at 15 weeks. This phenomenal rate produces babies with 100 billion neurons at birth which are more than most adults possess.
The brain is also assisting the tongue in developing preferred tastes. If the amniotic fluid tastes sweet from food mom has eaten, the developing baby swallows more, while he or she will drink less if it is bitter. (I’m guessing my mother ate a lot of gravy about this time in my development.)
In addition, the baby’s little lungs are practicing the vital task of breathing. Although not yet exposed to air, they are going through the motions to be ready to breathe when given the opportunity.
Even though babies are still developing at 15 weeks, much of their skeletons have already hardened into bone and doctors have even performed successful surgeries on younger babies for various disorders.
One of the most significant facts about a 15 week old preborn child is its ability to feel pain. Although previous studies suggested this didn’t develop until later, current data now indicate this to be true. Few of us could imagine intentionally harming an unborn eagle or kitten and how much more hurting an unborn child should hurt us.
Thankfully, for women facing difficult decisions about their pregnancies, there are many options available including coaching and material support from the Shenandoah County Pregnancy Center. In addition, the trained compassionate staff can assist if adoption seems preferable and those hurting from their previous decisions can find healing and love there as well.
As our Supreme Court ponders this case of monumental impact, please pray that they will protect all human life and that Americans will continue to awaken to the truth that a baby in the womb is worth far more than an eagle in an egg.
Blessings, George