By Bobby Darvish
darvishintelligence.blogspot.com
In today’s polarized world, discussions around abortion have often drifted into emotional arguments, political agendas, and a blatant disregard for responsibility. As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim Christian conservative, I believe that if women are truly interested in avoiding pregnancy, the solution is simple: don't engage in sex or, if you do, take measures to avoid conception. The moral and scientific reality is that abortion is the taking of an innocent life—a distinct human life that is not merely a part of the woman’s body but an individual from the moment of conception. Science alone, without invoking religious or ideological arguments, proves that life begins at conception and that abortion is, therefore, a termination of that life.
For those who argue that a zygote or fetus is merely a part of the woman's body, science offers a clear and powerful rebuttal. Once fertilization occurs, a new genetic entity is formed, distinct from the mother, with its own unique DNA—a human being with potential, not simply a part of the woman’s anatomy.
1. A Distinct Human Life Begins at Conception
At conception, the sperm and egg unite to form a zygote, which possesses a unique genetic code, different from both the mother’s and father’s DNA. This entity has a full genetic blueprint that will direct its development throughout gestation and beyond. Science confirms that this new organism is a distinct human life at the very moment of conception, contradicting the claim that it is simply a “part” of the mother.
2. The Zygote’s Development is Autonomous and Coordinated
Within hours of conception, the zygote begins to divide, and its cells start differentiating to form the various parts of a human body. It develops in a coordinated manner, directed by its own unique DNA and independent of the mother’s physiology, although it relies on the mother for nutrients and a safe environment. This independence emphasizes that the developing life in the womb is not merely an extension of the mother’s body.
3. Placental Barrier and Biological Separation
The placenta, which forms during pregnancy, serves as an interface between the mother and the developing baby, allowing nutrient and waste exchange while keeping their blood supplies separate. This barrier highlights the biological separation between mother and child, underscoring that the unborn baby is an independent entity. If the fetus were merely a “part” of the mother’s body, there would be no need for this separation.
4. Brain and Heart Activity as Markers of Life
At about five weeks gestation, the developing baby’s heart starts to beat, and brain waves are detectable by about six weeks. These signs of life are definitive markers used in other medical contexts to determine life and death, suggesting that a being with brain activity and a heartbeat is, without question, a living individual. To end this life is akin to ending any other life—a point many abortion advocates avoid.
5. Developmental Autonomy: The Fetus Grows on Its Own Schedule
The human embryo grows and develops independently of the mother’s direct control, guided by its own genetic code. The milestones it reaches, from the formation of the heart to the ability to react to external stimuli, all unfold naturally within the womb, showing a level of autonomy that contradicts the notion of the fetus as a “body part.”
6. Scientific Consensus on the Start of Human Life
Many biologists and embryologists agree that life begins at conception. A zygote formed from the union of sperm and egg represents the first stage of a new human being’s life, not just another organ or tissue within the woman’s body. This scientific consensus counters the common narrative used to justify abortion as a mere “choice.”
7. Unique DNA and Immunological Evidence
A baby in the womb carries distinct DNA and often a different blood type than the mother. The immunological relationship between mother and child is complex; the mother’s immune system even recognizes the fetus as a separate entity and adjusts to avoid rejecting it. This biological fact alone dismantles the notion that the baby is merely a part of the woman’s body.
8. Fetal Pain Sensitivity
Research suggests that by the second trimester, fetuses can respond to stimuli that would be perceived as painful if they were felt outside the womb. The ability to experience pain is another indicator of individual life and autonomy that abortion dismisses.
9. Legal and Medical Inconsistencies
In cases where a pregnant woman is killed, courts often treat it as a double homicide, acknowledging the life of the unborn child. However, abortion laws contradict this stance by allowing the life to be terminated at the woman’s discretion. The double standard here is glaring—either a fetus is a human being with rights, or it isn’t.
10. Responsibility and Alternatives
If women truly wish to avoid pregnancy, they have multiple options available: abstinence, birth control, condoms, and other preventative measures. These methods allow for sexual activity without conception, eliminating the need for abortion as an afterthought or “backup” option. Society must advocate responsibility over recklessness, especially when human life is at stake.
Conclusion
Abortion isn’t a matter of convenience or choice when we consider the scientific evidence. A fetus is not simply part of the mother’s body; it is a distinct human life with its own unique DNA, heartbeat, brain activity, and biological boundaries. Choosing life begins with choosing responsibility, and as a society, we should hold ourselves accountable to uphold the sanctity of all human lives.
References
- Moore, K. L., & Persaud, T. V. N. (2011). The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology. Saunders.
- Carlson, B. M. (2014). Human Embryology and Developmental Biology. Elsevier Health Sciences.
- Condic, M. L. (2014). The Science of Human Embryology: A Practical Guide. Academic Press.
- O'Rahilly, R., & Muller, F. (2010). Human Embryology and Teratology. Wiley-Blackwell.
- Cakmak, H., & Taylor, H. S. (2011). Implantation failure: molecular mechanisms and clinical treatment. Human Reproduction Update, 17(2), 242–253.
- Anand, K. J. S., & Hickey, P. R. (1987). Pain and its effects in the human neonate and fetus. New England Journal of Medicine, 317(21), 1321–1329.
- Derbyshire, S. W., & Bockmann, J. C. (2020). Reconsidering fetal pain. Journal of Medical Ethics, 46(1), 3–6.
- Morison, I. M., & Reeve, A. E. (1998). A catalogue of imprinted genes and parent-of-origin effects in humans and animals. Human Molecular Genetics, 7(10), 1599–1609.
- Nathanson, B. N. (1996). Aborting America. Pinnacle Books.
- Maureen L. Condic, “When Does Human Life Begin? A Scientific Perspective.” The Westchester Institute for Ethics and the Human Person, 2008.
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