By Maria Gallagher, Legislative Director
She came into the world at the tender age of 26 weeks’ gestation–just two weeks past Pennsylvania’s late-term abortion limit.
At birth, she weighed a scarce pound-and-a-half–approximately the same weight as a block and a half of butter.
As a result, medical professionals whisked her into the neonatal intensive care unit, hoping that against all odds she would survive.
Twenty-two years later, she returned to the NICU to thank the nurses who had helped save her life. She also came to give confidence to parents whose precious babies are living in the NICU.
A local Pennsylvania television station chronicled the woman’s incredible story of survival. The feature came at a time when the Governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, has pledged to veto any and all limits on abortion.
It’s not hard to see how schizophrenic our society has become. On one hand, health care professionals are working round the clock to save infants who are born prematurely.
At the same time, Democratic Presidential candidates are defending legislation that would allow babies of the same gestation to be aborted.
This dichotomy cannot continue forever. At some point, our law will reflect the truth that every human life–no matter what her age or stage of development–deserves protection.
Modern technology has produced the miracles that allow babies to survive at ever earlier stages. It’s well past time for the law–and our politicians–to catch up with medical progress.