Dear John,
On Wednesday, shortly before midnight, in a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Texas law, SB 8, to go into effect. The Texas law is designed to protect unborn babies whose hearts have begun to beat.
Science has clearly shown that, by six weeks, the embryo is already a complex human.
The heart is actively beating at six weeks. Between conception and birth, the baby's heart will beat approximately 54 million times.
A developing human’s average heart rate is 98 BPM. This will rise to 175 BPM by 9 weeks of gestation.
The presence of a heartbeat at 6-8 weeks of gestation correlates with a live birth rate of 98% in normal pregnancies without intervention.
The brain has divided into three primary sections responsible for sensing and decision-making, moving and tracking objects, and vital body functions.
Despite all that science has shown, Oregon continues to allow legal abortion, totally unrestricted, until the moment of birth.
We have a lot to do here in Oregon. Let's do it together.
Because everyone deserves an advocate,
Lois Anderson
Executive Director
P.S. Please RSVP for our annual auction and dinner that supports our educational efforts for the entire following year. I would love to see you there!
