President Donald Trump called for stricter laws on late-term abortions at the annual State of the Union address.
The President denounced New York’s newly enacted law allowing abortions up to the point of birth.
He urged for change in the law to “defend the dignity of every person”.
Image of God
Abortion was legalised in the US more than 40 years ago, following the landmark Roe v Wade case, but laws vary from state to state.
President Trump called on Congress to introduce a blanket ban prohibiting “the late-term abortion of children who can feel pain in the mother’s womb”.
“Let us work together to build a culture that cherishes innocent life. Let us reaffirm a fundamental truth: all children – born and unborn – are made in the holy image of God.”
…defend the dignity of every person
The President also deplored state lawmakers in New York who “cheered with delight” after passing the law that allows a baby to be removed “from the mother’s womb moments before birth”.
Survived
Some new US abortion laws also permit medics to withhold medical attention from unwanted newborns, including those who survive an abortion.
Melissa Ohden, who was born alive after a failed abortion 41 years ago, said that she herself may not have survived under the new abortion laws.
“There was an argument as to whether medical care would be provided to me”.
Weighing just 2lbs 14oz, Ohden only survived after a nurse took pity on her and brought her to a neonatal intensive care unit where she recovered.
‘Throw-away culture’
She said: “There are many stories like mine. We’re not talking about hypothetical cases. We’re not talking about ambiguous circumstances. We’re talking about human beings.”
There are many stories like mine. We’re not talking about hypothetical cases. We’re not talking about ambiguous circumstances. We’re talking about human beings.
“We live in what I would call a throw-away culture, a throw-away society where the value of life is very subjective.”
Ohden has testified before the House of Representatives about tightening abortion laws in the US.