Personhood Begins at Birth: The Rational Foundation for Abortion Policy in a Secular State.

Area of Science:

• Bioethics
• Medical Law
• Reproductive Health

Background:

• The debate over abortion access in the U.S. is framed as a religious controversy.
• Activists seek to impose a specific theological view of

Purpose of the Study:

• To argue that imposing religious beliefs on abortion policy constitutes an establishment of religion.
• To advocate for abortion policies grounded in scientific biology rather than theological presuppositions.
• To assert that legal personhood should commence at birth for religious liberty and medical practice.

Main Methods:

• Legal and ethical analysis of abortion policy.
• Examination of scientific facts regarding human pregnancy and fetal development.
• Argumentation based on constitutional law and religious liberty principles.

Main Results:

• Scientific evidence does not support the claim that personhood begins at fertilization.
• Current pregnancy does not exist at fertilization; the embryo/fetus is part of the pregnant individual's body until delivery.
• Recognizing legal personhood at birth aligns with scientific understanding and protects religious freedom.

Conclusions:

• Abortion policy must be based on scientific biology, not religious doctrine.
• Establishing religious beliefs about personhood in law creates a state-sponsored religion.
• Decriminalizing abortion and regulating it as a medical procedure is essential for religious liberty and sound medical practice.