As a scientist, I get to discuss growth, development, and reproduction every semester, and yet the internet likes to remove any of my posts on these topis because I'm not a celebrity. However, there are some things I learned. I tell my students at the end of every term that all the things they learn all semester build up toward the entire point of a biological entity- to make a copy of itself and reproduce. Cells reproduce for growth, repair, replacement, and reproduction, because we need new cells to replace old ones and new organisms to replace those that are no longer capable of repairing themselves. Respiration, cell organelles and structure, macromolecules, membranes, all of these topics exist to help us understand how a brand new cell becomes ready to make a new one, or how young organisms prepare to replace themselves. Technically, the issue where we disagree lies in the fact that nobody wants to talk about when life actually starts. I'm not sure I know the answer, but there are some things you should consider when making that decision.
At conception, the embryo is a unique organism. As soon as the egg is fertilized, it constitutes an organism genetically different from either the host or the other donor. Half of its DNA is foreign to the host. It has some in common, but it is unique and distinct. It is also dependent on the host, but we all know some humans who are still dependent on their parents until the age of 26 or 80. However, they are visually distinguishable as different, behaviorally divergent, and intellectually unique. As soon as the embryo forms, it's a different entity. Is it alive?
Several stages then exist to help the host determine fitness and viability of the potential offspring. At any point in these stages, if the organism is found to be unable to reproduce or survive out of utero, the fetus is terminated automatically by the mother. This is not because it doesn't want offspring; it's because it wants the offspring to be worthy of the toil, effort and sacrifice put in by the host bringing the offspring to term.
As the baby grows, it gains increasing autonomic functionality. Although it still relies on the mother for food and oxygen, its own circulatory system begins to work, its stem cells make oocytes (if female), and its neurons control its movements in dependent of the mother. Is it capable of surviving on its own? Can it reproduce? Many babies never make it to term because they cannot function on their own without relying totally on the mother, but those who survive still depend on the mother for one thing.
Do you want to actually have a child? Does the mother actually want her child to survive? We do not talk enough about intentional parenting, or intentionally becoming a parent. It seems like throughout time too many babies are "oops babies" or accidents rather than intentional outcomes of choices, and that's probably why so many people are so insistent on being allowed to abort ad libitum. We do not talk about abstinence enough. We have even gone away from talking about contraceptives. Never in my adult life have I heard talk until recently in the "manosphere" about choosing wisely the person with whom you actually want to have a family. Mate selection, since conception is so consequential to how our lives play out, is exceptionally important. If you don't want children with that person, why are you spending time with them let alone lying with them? Why does it have to be abortion? Have you considered adoption?
I think a lot of people make mistakes, but babies are not mistakes. They are miracles. They are the consequences and reminders of choices that we make. They are innocent. They don't get to decide who their parents are, and they don't get to decide if their parents want to keep them. There are so many other options in our lives. We don't have to mate and multiply because of a biological imperative. We don't have to cover up our mistakes by taking life. We can choose so many things. I am not anti-choice. I am anti-abortion. The entire "pro choice" movement is about neither being choice nor having the chance to make any choice. It seems to revolve around a single choice- the right to abort a baby. Even after birth. Why is that the only choice you will consider?
Of course every rule has exceptions. If you were a victim of forcible intercourse or in the case of incest, I leave that to you. I even leave it to you, should you choose, to pursue an elective abortion. I simply think it's the wrong choice, and it's certainly not a choice choice. It's a quick choice. A seductive one. But it comes with dark risks. What if they botch the procedure and you can't reproduce when you wish to? What if the perfect man refuses to date you because you had one? What if you change your mind? You have to live with that choice like all of the rest. I don't want anyone crying as Hamlet did "Out, out damn spot!" when they cannot remove the blood from their hands.
I claim the right to choose my own adventure, so I allow you yours. I think you should consider other options. I think you have a choice to not put yourself in a place where the option of an abortion necessitates contemplation. I think you should follow the admonition of Sir Thomas More: "You must not abandon the ship in a storm because you cannot control the winds." Rather, "you must seek and strive to the best of your power to handle matters tactfully. What you cannot turn to good you must make as little bad as you can." Choose the best option you can wherever you are, and if you have no other options, I hope you will choose better next time. That's the hope of Christianity and should be our message to you all. Improve when you can; hold your ground when you get there.
