Despite Arkansas banning recreational abortions, Arkansas State University students — and their unborn children — still face the danger of abortifacients. A-State needs an honest and urgent conversation about what defines pregnancy, when life begins and why students should take a stand against Plan B and chemical abortion.
To understand the ethics behind Plan B and chemical abortions, we must first clarify what science and law say about pregnancy and human life.
Before 1965, pregnancy was commonly defined as beginning at conception, or fertilization. However, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists changed this definition in 1965, stating pregnancy begins when the embryo implants into the uterus – about six days after conception.
Instead, many obstetricians still believe pregnancy begins at conception.
A survey by the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology revealed that 57% of obstetricians define pregnancy as beginning at conception, while only 28% agree with the legal definition of implantation. Another study by the National Institutes of Health found that 96% of biologists believe human life begins at fertilization. This discrepancy is important because it allows Plan B to claim it does not terminate a pregnancy, even though it can end the human life created at conception
While it is not classified as an abortifacient, Plan B has the potential to act as one.
The active ingredient is levonorgestrel and it works in three ways: preventing or delaying ovulation, thickening cervical mucus to reduce sperm mobility and thinning the uterine lining. The first two mechanisms prevent fertilization.
However, not everyone knows when they’ve ovulated and many women take Plan B after that cycle’s ovulation. According to Mayo Clinic, this allows the third method to come into play, thinning the uterine lining, which prevents a fertilized egg (a human) from implanting – effectively starving the embryo.
This aspect of Plan B is not discussed by the company or on campus, where students can receive up to four doses of Plan B at events without proper information on its potential to end their baby’s life.
In addition to Plan B, A-State students are also handed out chemical abortion QR codes.
These QR codes provide access to abortion pills, which are used between four to 10 weeks of pregnancy. In short, chemical abortion involves taking two pills: Mifepristone and Misoprostol.
Mifepristone blocks progesterone, depriving the developing baby of the nutrients and oxygen it needs to survive. Misoprostol is then taken to induce contractions, leading to the expulsion of the dead baby and related pregnancy tissue to be flushed down the toilet.
At that stage, the baby has a beating heart, fingers, toes, a face with a little nose and two ears and two eyes. A person like you and I, just one in a more vulnerable position.
A person who relies on the pro-life generation to advocate for them until they can advocate for themselves. A person who relies on their mother to not be taken advantage of by abortionists and companies like Planned Parenthood for their financial gain.
However, women who regret taking the first pill (mifepristone) have the option of taking an abortion reversal pill – a progesterone treatment – within 72 hours to save their baby. This reversal protocol is both safe and effective, and women can find assistance by visiting abortionpillreversal.com or calling a 24/7 hotline at 1-877-558-0333.
My husband and I recognized A-State’s need for the truth regarding abortion. That’s why, in spring 2024, we launched the Students for Life registered student organization.
We believe that every human life — born and unborn — possesses equal value and rights to life. We stand against the exploitation of women and pre-born children by the abortion industry and oppose the use of Plan B on our campus.
Together, we can be a voice for the voiceless.
Categories: Opinion
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