Pam Belluck writes “science” for the Gray Lady. Funny that given her inability to understand basic knowledge of the biology of pregnancy. Writing about sex-selected abortions based on new genetic tests available over-the-counter that detect gender based on secreted DNA available in the mother’s blood or urine, Belluck notes:
But clinics and some ethicists say this type of sex selection is more acceptable because it occurs before embryos are implanted, before pregnancy.
Before pregnancy? Deliberate obfuscation.
So a lesson for you, Pam, since you seem to not grasp elementary biology. First, implantation of embryos occurs 6-12 days after ovulation. A fertilized egg implants itself into the lining of the uterus, resulting in a pregnancy. If the fertilized embryo did not implant into the lining of the uterus, a woman would start shedding the lining, thereby triggering the cycle again. No longer pregnant. It really is this simple, Pam.
If a woman were to purchase one of the aforementioned tests available OTC because she wanted to determine the gender of her baby, an implanted embryo would have to have been implanted for seven weeks minimum in order for her urine to have any fetal DNA present. See how easy? She has to be pregnant in order for the test to work. Pregnant = implanted embryo.
Therefore, your assertion that “clinics and some ethicists” argue that these abortions aren’t abortions because the embryos haven’t implanted implies you’re either a terrible liar with no understanding of logic or biology or you’re an idiot with no understanding of logic or biology.
Take your pick.
h/t: Hot Air headlines
A “Recommended Read” at P&P. Thanks!
Filed under: Abortion, Liberal angst, Media |
Politicaljunkie Mom 
Thank you. 🙂
I agree with your point completely. But I do have a question. A woman is not considered pregnant until the embryo inplants? Doesn’t pregnancy occur at the time of conception? If the embryo doesn’t inplant, then the pregnancy did not go forward, but she was still pregnant for those few days. No? Am I missing something?
Good question, Manny, and I should have been more clear. life begins at conception, but a pregnancy can fail this early for myriad reasons (something wrong with embryo, lining of the uterus, or hormones). Most women (unless they are charting, i.e. NFP) would never know that they were already pregnant or having recurring very early miscarriages. If the embryo fails to implant, she is no longer pregnant.
Updated “not pregnant” above to “no longer pregnant.” Thanks, Manny.