written 15 May 2022
published 22 May 2022
Once a month, most women of childbearing age release one ovum. When viable sperm are present, the ovum picks which one to allow into its interior as the fertilizing partner. Not the fastest, or the strongest sperm, but the one accepted by the ovum. Life begins with a feminine choice.
The fertilized egg must attach to the uterine wall and then gestate for about 9 months before being birthed into the larger world. This is a precarious process. For every 100 fertilized eggs, as many as 90 fail to produce a live baby, with over a third failing within just the first week. Less than 3 of the 100 die due to an abortion.
While it is true that the single cell is the beginning of an individual, it is not functionally autonomous for months, completely at the mercy of the health and welfare of the mother. Despite this fundamental reality, some people believe the fertilized egg should be considered a viable individual, with the legal rights we expect for an individual, without regard for the rights of the mother.
Extremist Republican "leadership" in some states has already declared abortion murder, while displaying no concern for what happens after birth. This perspective will ban invitro fertilization and many contraceptives systems that prevent uterine implantation. Focusing on the individual rights of the egg is symptomatic of our fundamental cultural dysfunction; believing the illusion of separation. The denial of the dependent relationship between the mother and growing child is dangerous and ignorant.
But let's pretend for a moment that this punitive birther fundamentalism is not just toxic misogyny wrapped in hypocritical self-rigorous morality. If the fertilized cell deserves full protection under the law, then the mother should not be the only one prosecuted for damage or destruction of life.
More than 80 percent of pregnant women are exposed to chemicals harmful, or lethal, to the fetus; in cosmetics, synthetic fragrances, plastic containers, kitchenware, paint, anti-bacteria chemicals, nano particles, and environmental chemicals in air, food, and water. If we grant personhood to the fertilized cell, every company that produces these chemicals is guilty of serial assault or murder. The companies, including all the executives and shareholders who profit from these crimes, as well as the workers, sales people, distributors, and retailers, should be prosecuted. While they might argue that they didn't know, and the damage was unintentional, that is still second-degree assault or murder. But many companies know the toxicity of their products, making them guilty of first-degree assault or murder.
Poor health care contributes to increases in miscarriages, which we are now calling murder. To protect the unborn, all pregnant women must be provided with adequate and affordable prenatal care, nutritious food, and paid maternity leave. Any politician, health insurance company, employer health plan, or state official that denies this essential care to pregnant women is guilty of serial murder for profit, and should be prosecuted.
Other contributors to miscarriage are diabetes, tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine. Therefore, the sugar, tobacco, alcohol, and coffee industries, and all their employees and stockholders, are guilty of serial murder for profit.
Maternal stress increases the risk of offspring developing cardiovascular, metabolic, or neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as lower birth weight of the baby and premature delivery. Chronic stress can be caused by poverty and unemployment. Any company refusing to pay a living wage to a pregnant woman, or their supporting spouse, is guilty of serial assault for profit.
Finally, most of the death of fertilized eggs, now being considered as persons protected under the law, are due to "acts of God". Therefore, God is a capricious serial killer. While prosecuting God is difficult, all those who profess allegiance to this killer are accessories to this rampant murder spree, and should be held accountable in a court of law.
The above discussion demonstrates the logical absurdity of any attempted claim of personhood for the fertilized egg. It is clear that even the most reasonable suggestions listed, such as guaranteed affordable neonatal heath care, living wages, and child support payments, are not being discussed by the Republican "leadership", despite their professed concern for the sanctity of the unborn. This is not about morality, but about control of women, an attempt to renew centuries of entrenched misogyny, which is endemic within the Republican party.
Will America submit to this insanity?
