Human Life Alliance of Minnesota Education Fund Inc. Advertising Supplement
1996 3
Test Your Abortion I. Q.
1. On January 22, 1973 the U.S. Supreme Court legalized abortion through which month of pregnancy? A) 3rd month; B) 4th month; C) 6th month; D) 9th month
2. Since abortion was legalized in 1973 the number of preborn babies' lives extinguished by abortion is: A) 6 million; B) 12 million C) 30 million; D) 33.5million
3. Abortion is the leading cause of death in the U.S., causing what percent of total deaths? A) 21%; B) 35%; C) 46%; D) 52%
4. What age group of women have the greatest number of abortions? A) 15 - 19; B) 20 - 24; C) 25 - 29; D) 30 - 34
5. About 10 million Black children have been aborted since abortion was legalized.
This is what fraction of the present Black population in the U.S.? A) one-eighth; B)
one-fifth; C) one-third; D) one-half
6. Since 1960 the number of babies born out-of-wedlock has risen by what percent?
A) 60%; B) 105%; C) 250%; D) 419%
7. Women who abort their first child stand how much greater risk of developing breast cancer? A) 3 x; B) 2 x; C) 4 x
8. With the advances in medical science the number of surgical procedures which are now performed on babies in the womb is: A) over 50; B) 80; C) 90; D) over 100
9. One out of every how many preborn babies is killed by abortion? A) two; B) three; C) four; D) six
10. What percent of abortions performed in the U.S. are repeat abortions? A) 30%; B) nearly 40%; C) nearly 50%; D) 60%
11. What percent of women who have had abortions experience suicidal tendencies?
A) 45%; B) 60%; C) 70%; D) 75%
12. A developing baby's heart begins to beat at: A) 21 days; B) 30 days; C) 45 days; D) 60 days
13) How many Americans now have an incurable sexually transmitted disease?
A) 20 million; B) 36 million; C) 56 million
14) Every year up to what number of U.S. women become infertile because of STDs?
A)66,000; B)75,000; C)98,000; D)150,000
The answers to these questions can be found on p. 9.
Abortion is Legal During 7th,8th and 9th Months
In Roe v. Wade the Court allowed states to restrict abortions in the 3rd trimester "except where it is necessary... for the preservation of life or health of the mother." However, in Doe v. Bolton, the companion case to Roe, the Court defined "health" to include "all factors - physical, emotional, psychological, familial, and the woman's age - relevant to the well-being of the patient." Because of this broad definition of "health" the Court, in effect, permitted abortion-on-demand in all fifty states right up until birth for any reason!
Chronology of a New Life
Fertilization: The sperm joins with the ovum to form one cell. This one cell contains the complex genetic blueprint for every detail of human development—the child's sex, hair and eye color, height, skin tone etc.
Month One: The first cell divides within several hours and then cell division continues in an orderly fashion every few hours as the small group of cells travels down the Fallopian tube to the uterus, where the uterine lining has been prepared for implantation. There are over 100 cells present when this tiny embryo reaches the uterus 7 to 10 days after fertilization. Day 20-foundations of the brain, spinal cord and nervous system are already established; day 21—the heart begins to beat in a regular fashion; day 28—the backbone, the rest of the skeleton, and muscles are forming arms, legs, eyes and ears have begun to show. At one month old, the embryo is 10,000 times larger than the original fertilized egg and developing rapidly. The heart is pumping increased quantities of blood through the system. The placenta forms a unique barrier that keeps the mother's blood separate, but allows food and oxygen to pass to the baby.
Month Two: At 35 days the pre-born baby has all her fingers. Brainwaves can be detected at day 40; the brain is controlling 40 sets of muscles as well as the organs. The jaw forms including teeth buds in the gums. The eyelids seal during this time to protect the baby's developing light-sensitive eyes which will reopen in the seventh month. The stomach produces digestive juices and the kidneys have begun to function. The tiny human being responds to touch. By 8 weeks, the developing baby is now referred to as the fetus, a Latin word meaning "young one" or "offspring."
Month Three: Day 63 (9 weeks): Unique fingerprints are evident and never change. The baby now sleeps, awakens and exercises her muscles by turning her head, curling her toes, and opening and closing her mouth often sucking her thumb. Her palm, when stroked, will make a tight fist. She breathes amniotic fluid to help develop her respiratory system. By 12 wks. all the organs and systems of her body are functioning. The only major activity from now until birth is growth - the increase in her size.
Month Four: By the end of this month (16 weeks) the baby is 8 to 10 inches in length and weighs a half pound or more. Her ears are functioning, and there is evidence that the baby hears her mother's voice and heartbeat, as well as external noises. The umbilical cord has become an engineering marvel, transporting 300 quarts of fluids per day and completing a round-trip of fluids every 30 seconds. Because the preborn child is now larger, the mother usually begins to feel her baby's movements during this month.
Month Five: Half the pregnancy has now passed. The baby is about 12 inches long. If a sound is especially loud or startling, she may jump in reaction to it. Babies born at this stage of development (19 - 20 weeks) are surviving at an increasing rate thanks to advances in medical technology.
Month Six: (24 weeks): Oil and sweat glands are functioning. The baby's delicate skin is protected in the amniotic sac by a special ointment "vernix."
Month Seven: The baby's brain has as many cells as it will have at birth. The preborn child uses the four senses of vision, hearing, taste and touch. Research has documented that she can now recognize her mother's voice.
Month Eight: The skin begins to thicken, with a layer of fat stored underneath for insulation and nourishment. Antibodies increasingly build up. The baby swallows a gallon of amniotic fluid per day, more if it is sweetened. She often hiccups. She has been urinating for several months.
Month Nine: Toward the end of this month, the baby is ready for birth. The average duration of pregnancy is 280 days from the first day of the mother's last menstrual period, but this varies. By this time the infant's heart is pumping 300 gallons of blood per day. In response to signals from the brain the child triggers labor and birth occurs. Of the 45 generations of cell divisions before adulthood, 41 have taken place in the womb. Only four more will come - during the rest of childhood and before adolescence. In developmental terms we spend 90% of our lives in the womb.
Photo courtesy of Joseph R. Stanton, M.D.
6 Weeks
Photo by S.J. Allen/Int'l Stock Photo Ltd.
16 Weeks
Photo courtesy of Origin Films, Ltd. 20 Weeks