WV: Bill Would Ban Abortions after 20 Weeks

A committee in the House of Delegates is the first stop for the proposed bill that would ban abortions in West Virginia 20 weeks after fertilization.

The bill would establish legislative findings that fetuses or unborn children feel pain at that time.

Those with the organization ‘West Virginians For Life’ are supporting T’he Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act’ (PCUCPA).

They rallied at the State Capitol on Tuesday.

“I think it’s really important for people to understand that these babies suffer terribly from abortion,“ West Virginians For Life President Doctor Wanda Franz said.

She says there is a scientific evidence that a fetus or baby can feel pain after 20 weeks.

“The information about the development of the baby at 20 weeks is very clear that the thalamus and all of the body parts are there,“ Franz said.

That thalamus relays signals to the cerebral cortex which plays a key role in perceptual awareness and thought.

West Virginia Free Executive Director Margaret Chapman-Pomponio, though, says the science about the pain the fetus or unborn child feels has not been fully vetted.

She says the proposed bill is wrong for many reasons.

“It’s a very radical piece of legislation, an intrusion into the practice of medicine that is really punishing for women who are in difficult situations,“ Chapman-Pomponio said on Tuesday’s MetroNews Talkline.

She says it is not up to the Legislature to determine when a fetus or unborn child feels pain and then mandate what can be done based on that determination.

“This (possible abortion) needs to be a decision between a woman and her doctor,“ she said.

Week 20 of development comes in the middle of the second trimester.  It marks the halfway point of pregnancy, when the fetus or unborn child weighs about 11 ounces and measures roughly six inches from top to bottom.

House Bill 4414, The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, was introduced earlier this month at the State House.

Similar measures have already been approved in a handful of other states.

I’m not from this planet, but I really don’t understand why it’s anybody else’s business what a woman does with her body.
As far as any abortion goes, I want to see the first person step forward and say “wait, don’t abort, I’ll take the baby”.....

Well William Parker, You may not care and it may not be anyone’s business. However, do you think it was that baby would have said “hey mom create me then kill me” I don’t figure so. Now I agree in some cases, for instance: rape, having the baby may kill the mother (if mother is unaware when she gets pregnant), or if the baby is going to be born with severe medical problems casuing harm. Having said that, the baby didn’t choose for her mom to get in a drug or drunken stooper and not realize what she was doing, that baby didn’t choose for her mom to not use birth control or any other type of contraception, and that baby didn’t tell her mom to lie there and have sex in the first place. Women and men who make these choices need to except the consequences. They can’t be given a get out of jail free card. Don’t want a kid or risk having a kid. then don’t take you clothes off to begin with. The baby I bet would choose adoption over being killed. Wouldn’t you have?

To the man who says he is not from this planet.  Is it any of our business what a woman does to her body? No…you are right, providing it is ONLY HER body she is harming. But that changes when it is destroying the life of a unborn child, that is murder in the 1st degree for she knew exactly what she was doing and killed that unborn child and any Dr. that performs an abortion is guilty too. It is a human being. This baby did not ask to be born, but did not ask to die either. And yes Mr. Parker, there are many people who would step up and offer to take the baby in place of abortion if given that opportunity.

I say again, Just what gives you and or any government the right to decide on abortion? You presume to say that a woman should serve, for the rest of her life, a sentence of attempting to raise an unwanted child in this day and age. She goes on welfare if she’s not already parked at DHHR and you folks will be the first complaining of the costs of taking care of this unwanted burden on society. Lets see $6.00 for a sixpack of bud light, $5.00 for a pack of Marlboro’s at the carry-out, $291,000 to raise a child to the age of 17. Then that child goes on welfare…priceless. Well maybe you folks don’t mind paying that,  I mean you’re probably on welfare already, But I do. 
And, In addition, I challenge you to give me the name of a person. who qualifies to be sane to go with me to an abortion clinic and take the first alive baby flying down the chute. Come on, “Show me the money”, Or shut up.

William, the state needs to set a child limit of 2 so welfare bums can’t keep having kids for the sake of more money. I also think they should drug test them which would help weed out a lot of them from our system. I for one would pay for that child over their mom and dad’s drug habit. For those of you that will read this and say drug testing is against are rights, Drug testing is not infringing on any one’s rights by the way. Any state and federal employee are subject to random drug testing. They earn state and federal wges BY WORKING. Same should go for those who collect state and federal support who are to LAZY TO WORK (this is a whole other topic in itself). Abortion is not a get out of jail free card and that’s how it is being used. People need to step and take responsibility for their actions. I understand there are exceptions, but most of the time those don’t apply. The baby didn’t choose for mommy to lie on her back so should the baby pay the ultimate price William?

My name is Marissa Fox. Please contact me if you are considering an abortion. I will meet you at the hospital on the day of the birth of your child and help you find a home for your baby, if you feel like you can not provide it yourself. Thank you.

Its amazing that a man ( William Parker) would right such comments. First of all have you given birth ?  Have you carried a baby for 9 months ? Have you looked a monitor seeing your baby for the first time and hearing their heartbeat ?
On another note do you know anyone who has lost a baby, who tries every day to get pregnant but can’t ?
Talk to one of those woman William Parker and they would tell you they’ll be waiting at the clinic and yes they would take any baby that was unwanted because those are the woman who want to be mothers and would never turn down the opportunity to have a baby.

Very interesting. First, there is no Mr. Parker, It was made up to provide credibility to the post.  It’s easier to attack a person. The real issue is woman’s rights.
A note to. Marissa Fox, You say you will “help find a home for the baby”, I’m calling BS.  Exactly how much will this “helping” cost in $$, and how do we contact you. We don’t believe that you are sincere.
 
A note to Amanda, You are obviously ignorant. You really need to use a grammar checker before you RIGHT your post. Also, Like I asked, give me a name of someone who is willing to adopt.

To JR Smith, you’re on the right track. Thank you. And you say, “should the baby pay the price,“ The answer is of course not. Abortion is the answer.

And for you Margaret Collins. Exactly what gives you the right to call it murder, That’s the voice of an ignorant inbred. I mean, WWJD. Won’t you please adopt an unborn child, or would that interrupt your soaps?  See ya in Church.

It is a testament to how well the schools in Gilmer county are doing when many, many of it’s graduates use such poor grammar. “I seen” is one of the glaring examples. Can a child from Gilmer county keep up with students at WVU?

Some GCHS graduates say “I seen,“ because they heard it at home growing up. I have heard many teachers correct this type of grammar over and over without success. Much of the blame lies in the home. And I doubt very seriously if that problem is unique to Gilmer County. In fact, I know it is not. It is a problem statewide, including among students at WVU.

Dear Mr. William Parker,

I have had an abortion. I committed murder, plain and simple. I will regret it until my dying day. I cannot create life, so how dare I destroy it. By the grace and love of God I have been forgiven. However, there are some abortions that are not murder. 

  Let me assure you that there are thousands of people who would adopt a child.  Personally, I always wanted at least twelve (12) sons in order to have my own baseball and basketball teams. You now have a name. 

Yet, I know that I am not alone for there are multiplied hundreds, if not thousands, of foster parents across this very nation who adopt children that have been placed in their homes. Plenty of barren couples want these children as well.

FYI - I’m a proud graduate of Gilmer County High School. Please, forgive my grammar and writing skills. I am only human. Thank you.