Being pro-life is not in opposition to science, as some people may think. It is quite the opposite, in fact.
That’s what organizers of the annual March for Life being held in Washington, D.C., assert on their website (https://marchforlife.org) in discussing the theme of this year’s event, “Unique from Day One.”
Life begins at fertilization
They point out that “medical and technological advancements continue to reaffirm the science behind the pro-life cause — that life begins at fertilization, or day one, when egg meets sperm and a new, unique, human embryo is created.
“From the moment of fertilization, our DNA is present, whether it’s 23 pairs of chromosomes or 22. The unique fingerprint that each of us has — distinguishing us from any other human on the planet — is determined by that DNA at day one! Right from the beginning of life, you are becoming the unique, incredible, unrepeatable person that you are!”
Changing attitudes
This scientific evidence on the beginning of life is no doubt one of the reasons why opinions are changing in the United States on the issue of abortion. The March for Life website includes an article called “Reasons for Hope,” which points to the “tremendous strides” that have been made in educating the American people about the gift of life.
Polling and data on abortion show that more people are identifying themselves as “pro-life,” especially young people.
And most Americans do not agree with U.S. abortion laws. Abortion is legal through all nine months of pregnancy, but most believe that abortion should be highly restricted. According to one poll, 79 percent believe it should be illegal after the first trimester; 87 percent believe that abortion should be illegal after six months of pregnancy, while only 16 percent believe it should be legal through all nine months of pregnancy.
Pregnancy resource centers
Another factor in attitudes towards abortion is the growth of pregnancy resource centers in the country. They offer help to mothers experiencing unplanned pregnancies. Many of these centers offer ultrasounds free of charge, providing pregnant women with the opportunity to see their unborn child in the womb. Many women then choose life for their baby.
There is a movement to offer mobile pregnancy centers. Care Net Pregnancy Center in Madison is launching a mobile clinic this year. Visit https://friends.carenetdane.org/mobile/ or call Sara at 608-259-1606 to find out how you can help support this new mobile clinic.