FACTS OF LIFE
Facts of Life. Facts of Abortion.
The Issues
A: Conception:
At the moment of conception the male sperm and famale ovum unite, a new and unique human being comes into existence that is a different individual from both mother and father. From the beginning this tiny individual has his/her own distinct genetic identity and all physical characteristics. The words embryo, foetus, newborn and infant only refer to the different stages of the growth of a young human being.
B: Six Weeks.
About 40 days after conception the human being shows the beginnings of eyes, spinal cord, nervous system, lungs, stomach and intestines. The heart is already beating regularly since about Day 18.
C: Eight Weeks.
The growing child can now form a tiny fist, suck his thumb, be awake and sleep. His major organs are developed.
D: Sixteen Weeks.
The baby can now use his hands, move around in the womb, and open and close his mouth.
E: Eighteen Weeks.
At this stage the baby can hear and react to noises. About half-way to birth she begins to flex her muscles.
F: Twenty Weeks.
Hair, eye lashes, nails and fingerprints are perfectly formed now. After 26 weeks a baby can survive outside the mother's womb with special hospital care.
The Facts of Abortion
1. Most surgical abortions take place after eight weeks of pregnancy, when the baby's organs are already well formed. Usually a powerful suction pump is inserted into the womb and the tiny human being is sucked into the machine piece by piece.
2. If an abortion takes place between the 18th and 30th week of the pregnancy, the baby is cut into small parts and removed piece by piece. Often the child's head is already too big, so it is crushed first inside the womb and then removed.
3. From week 30 onwards, the baby is killed either by salt poisoning or by mini-caesarian section. The abortionist injects a salt solution into the amniotic sac, which poisons and scalds the unborn child to death inside the womb and then removes him in pieces. In the second method the baby is removed alive in one piece and placed in a bucket to die.
4. Abortionists also kill babies while they are being born. This is called Partial Birth Abortion. Just before birth the abortionist turns the baby over, so that it emerges from the birth-canal feet first, face down. Before the head emerges, the abortionist inserts a sharp instrument into the baby's brain.
The safest place in the world
Abortion is never necessary to save the life of a mother. This fact is affirmed by the Irish Medical Council and by the country's leading gynaecologists and obstetricians. No medical treatment is withheld from a woman because she is pregnant. According to the World Health Organisation's statement in 1995 Ireland without abortion is the safest place in the world for mother and her unborn child.
To kill is always wrong
It is in principle evil to kill a human being, no matter how old or young. This basic ethical rule covers any form of killing, including abortion. Any nation that legalises abortion shows that it does not have respect for the most basic right of a human being - the right to live. The killing of unborn children does not solve any problem. It is no answer to "unwanted" pregnancies, nor does it help in cases of rape or incest. It only adds a further wrong to the previous wrongdoing.
Short-term Escape - Long-term Agony
Abortion does not cure any physical disease or mental disorder. It is just a short-term escape that leads to long-term agony. Women who have had an abortion suffer terribly guilt and grief, and the psychological damage often lasts for the rest of their life. After an abortion many women are physically damaged, and cannot have children again. Some women even die during the process, and the baby always dies.
True Compassion
Pro-Life means true compassion, the compassion that cares for both mother and child. This is the best option for women, children and society as a whole. By rejecting abortion and embracing life, the people of Ireland can give the world a living example.
Why we need a Referendum
In 1983 the people of Ireland voted by a large majority to protect unborn children and to outlaw abortion. They did this by adding a Pro-Life Amendment to the Constitution. But in 1992 the Supreme Court - in an extraordinary and flawed decision - ruled in the X Case that the 1983 Pro-Life Amendment allowed abortion after all. Since then successive governments have steadfastly refused the Irish people another referendum, which would clarify the law and restore the right to life to unborn human beings. Without such a referendum an Irish government could make abortion legal. In recent years numerous polls have showed that between 65 % and 73% of the Irish people want the issue settled through a new pro-life referendum, but governments continue to ignore the will of the people.
What you can do?
* Order more of our leaflets and distribute them among your friends and neighbours. Call us for advice and assistance on how to organise a local public lecture and/or set up a Pro-Life group.
* Contact your local political representatives and request their support for a referendum on the abortion issue - to restore the constitutional protection of unborn children.
* Use your vote in all elections. Let candidates and parties know that you will vote only for those who support the protection of unborn life.