Bush Says Harming Fetus Is Federal Crime

From the AP:

FYI - In the State of California, death of a post-viable fetus is already covered under existing homicide statutes.

 

Kate, in CA, you can't terminate pregnancies once the 6th month has been reached. I think that's in line with national guidelines. However, the biggest thing I have a problem with is non-viability. If a woman in CA terminates her pregnancy electively at 5 months, it's allowable. However, if I abuse or kill the mother, and it results in the death of a 5 month old fetus, I can be charged with two counts of criminal activity. OTOH, if I do harm to a woman who's say, 2 weeks pregnant, and it results in a miscarriage, I will be charged with a crime against the mother, but not the fetus.

[ April 25, 2003, 07:28 PM: Message edited by: Johnv ]

 

President Bush is waiting to sign the 'partial-abortion ban' bill into law as soon as the House and Senate both pass it. BTW, Clinton refused to sign it during his administration.
Just curious, is this the exact same bill that Clinton vetoed, or has it been modified? Not rehash the reasons that we've discussed elsewhere, I'm just curious, since I haven't really kept up with the current version of the bill.

 

The government is in power to enforce God's law, not make their own (Rom.13:1).

Not quite true. When Jesus says "give Ceasar what is Ceasar's, and to God what is God's", he's making it clear that Ceasar's law, where it does not conflict with God's law, should be rendered, or followed, just the same. A good example is laws concerning speeding, vehicle registration, or parking in a "no parking" area are not God's law, but the Bible instructs us to obey them as well.

 

Of course

 

Huh? It's a fetus until it's born. Viability has no bearting on what it's called. Here's the breakdown:

Prior to fertilization, we have a sperm and an egg.

Once the two join, the resulting single cell is called a zygote.

The zygote begins to divide and travel down the fallopian tubes. Once there are about 32 cells, the developing baby is called a morula. The morula continues to divide, enter the uterus, and implant in the uterine wall.

Once implantation in the uterine wall occurs, it is called an embryo. During the embryonic period, all the major organs and tissues form.

Once these structures are completed forming, the developing baby is called a fetus. The end of the eighth week marks the beginning of the "fetal period" and the end of the "embryonic period". During the fetal period, structures continue to mature and specialize. The fetal period ends at birth, when all formation is complete, and the baby is ready to be born.

Once a baby is born, it is called an infant.

 

I wasn't attempting to trivialize the word "baby". I was responding to a comment, "...it's a fetus until it's viable, then it's a baby". The word "fetus" has nothing to do with viability.

It took a bit of effort for me to cimpile the info and share it here. I don't appreciate the ridicule.

 

Many thanks. I'm no doctor, I just have a nack for being a Jeopardy contestant (yes, I've tried out for the show... no word as to a taping date, but will let you know... they always choose more contestants than they need).