Human beings are created in the image and likeness of God (Gen. 1:26-27;). the image of God is in bible terms what makes us human. And though God's image in man was scared at the Fall, it was not erased (cf. 1 Cor. 11:7). Thus, the unborn baby is made in the image of God and therefore fully human in God's sight.
Medical Arguments Against Abortion.
So far in my essay we have looked at biblical arguments against abortion. But what if someone doesn't believe in the Bible? Are there other arguments we can use? Yes, there are: medical arguments, for example. Let's look, then, at some of the medical arguments against abortion.
The medical arguments against abortion are compelling. For example, at conception the embryo is genetically distinct from the mother. To say that the developing baby is no different from the mother's appendix is scientifically inaccurate. A developing embryo is genetically different from the mother. A developing embryo is also genetically different from the sperm and egg that created it. A human being has 46 chromosomes (sometimes 47 chromosomes). Sperm and egg have 23 chromosomes. A trained scientist can distinguish between the DNA of an embryo and that of a sperm and egg. But that same scientist could not distinguish between the DNA of a developing embryo and a full-grown human being.
Another set of medical arguments against abortion is the one that surrounds the definition of life and death. If one set of criteria has been used to define death, could they also be used to define life? Death can be defined by the non-existence of a heartbeat. A stopped heart was a clear sign of death. If the non-existence of heartbeat could define death, could the onset of a heartbeat define life? The heart is formed by the 18th day in the womb. If heartbeat was used to define life, then nearly all abortions would be outlawed.
Opponents to abortion also raise the controversial issue of pain. Does the foetus feel pain during abortion? The evidence seems fairly clear and consistent. Consider this statement made in a British medical journal: "Try sticking an infant with a pin and you know what happens. She opens her mouth to cry and also pulls away. Try sticking an 8-week-old human foetus in the palm of his hand. He opens his mouth and pulls his hand away. A more technical description would add that changes in heart rate and foetal movement also suggest that foetus does feel pain."
Obviously, other medical criteria could be used. For example, the developing foetus has a unique set of fingerprints as well as genetic patterns that make it unique. The development of the sonogram has provided us with a "window to the womb" showing us that a person is growing and developing in the mother's womb. We can discern eyes, ears, fingers, a nose, and a mouth. Our visual senses tell us this is a baby growing and maturing. This is not a piece of the mother’s anatomy; but a baby inside the womb.
