There is nothing particularly special about human DNA. We just like to think there is :) When it's been parcelled up into individuals that we've come to love, even if sadly that is just ourselves... particularly so.

There is something odd about it though when (as foreign DNA - sperm) it is not sufficiently assaulted by a woman's immune system to render it harmless to her. I mean, when a woman's body does do that - we call it a syndrome. We say there is something wrong with her. For those who want children, a hostile cervical environment is an awful diagnosis to receive - but on levels relating to the summary execution (by an immune system) of a foreign invader - it is extremely efficient.

But we're talking about that moment that, that one got there, and what that sperm and egg then do aren't we :) And it's been a puzzle of great interest to researchers in fields such as: organ transplantation/rejection; cancer diagnosis/metastasis; parasitism and consequent morbidity; epidemiology and immunology; and of course... why I'm writing this... abortion debates. None are pleasant subjects, especially so when you're the one that has to face it. And we're not even close to what goes on in obstetrics and gynaecology, both pre and post-natal.

With regard (collectively) to the former though, I believe some interest is/was focused on the membrane that forms around the fertilized cells (the perivitelline). It was hoped that it might provide insight into how cancer does what it does - its pure trickery and deception - and that maybe by understanding that, the "mechanism" could be turned off somehow. Or to turn it on to prevent rejection of a transplant. One avenue of interest has been whether the membrane secretes or sends chemical signals much like parasites do in order to successfully set up home in a host it has conned into providing it with the least possible hostile environment it can.

Once it's hooked into its surroundings - It behaves like a parasite... every mammalian baby yet to be born. If we could guarantee its inalienable right to be loved and to flourish to its fullest potential - wouldn't that be wonderful :)

But real-life is not like that. Continuing with the clinical aspect for the moment - from the point of fertilization on - we are in the realms where cancer stalks and metastasizes (fooling immune systems and cells into providing a blood supply and thus a "home") and going virtually unnoticed by our army of built-in defenders, so ultimately, posing a threat to our lives; And then, when it has "hacked" its way in ... we're in the realms of where parasites feed... siphoning off nutrients and sending chemical signals to the host organism to provide more of the same... and again... threatening our lives. Because anyone who has had more than one child - will one day be watching them play together :) and be struck by the fact that they are far more closely related to one other, than they ever are to either yourself or their dad/mum.

That they're there at all is through sly trickery and cunning deceit of their maternal host's immune system at least until that point comes in a pregnancy where the host (our "mum-to-be") becomes aware of its presence - and sometimes may have to choose a path that another might not - or can give her body over to everything her hopefully much wanted "parasite" is going to put her through in the months ahead.

We don't focus much on maternal morbidity. In developed countries the risk is still something like 1 in every 4900 pregnancies. It's 1 in 180 in developing countries, and 1 in 54 in countries where health systems have broken down. It may well be that a woman is carrying something with half your DNA in it... but she's putting an awful lot more of herself into letting it stay there. What you did to get it there kind of pales into insignificance don't you think? ;)

It really wasn't that long ago that if an unmarried woman wanted to keep her baby it would be grounds enough to commit her to an asylum. Every hard fought for right we've won, represents untold and uncountable tears and suffering on the way there. I think to reverse even one should not be a matter decided by a group of politicians where not even one has given birth, do you?

Not all those who've sought a termination are destined to be single-mothers if they don't have one by any means. I'm sure once, a long time ago, I looked up statistics and even wrote a whole post about it. So I'm not going to do it again. But when those that don't, do as a result become single mothers? For a taste of what that's "tasted like" in Britain: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/sin-and-the-single-mother-the-history-of-lone-parenthood-7782370.html they, by every definition there is, have chosen the pro-life route too. Or is there something I've missed... a parameter that perhaps is considered a prerequisite by pro-life lobbyists? Or are attitudes towards single mothers simply much kinder in other parts of the world than what I've seen in the UK?

Now that you're all thinking I've not answered a single question that has been asked... you're right, I don't think I have :)

A quick note about me
It may have been as much as a year since I last ventured into politics with any intention of reading or posting anything even vaguely political in it. It may even have been this thread I posted in. Whatever it was that compelled me to post then, my views haven't changed. I don't think I'm one of the three that Bernie spoke of earlier in this thread :) Their views were posted longer ago than that (I think half-way into a thread called "Ordinary people" that had gone way off topic is just one). Their views too, are I believe unlikely to have altered either.

If I had to categorise us, I would say we are all pro-choice. A choice that includes: both - the right to a termination and the choice to have her baby, whether that be in or out of "wedlock", or to give it up for adoption.

I could try to provide links to the places where our much-requested views reside, but I don't feel like it, so I'm not going to. I could also attempt to rehash some of what I've already said on the topic, but again... it's just not going to happen :) I also can't promise I'll come back to read anything said in response to this post. I wish I could and I will try to if I can, but it's probably best not to ask me too many questions just in case :)

Abortion is Like dA IMMUNE System: Rippin'; Tearin'; and Killin' INTRUDERs.

And Makin' a BIG PROFIT at Times from It. Medical Science Research and Its Resultant Monetized Products.

Almost Like Making It Out of dA Womb and Becoming a PROFIT Machine for dA Rest of Your Life.

Man O Live. No Matta How Looked At - Baby Killin' and Baby Production is MEGA DOLLAs.

I Guess LOVE; HAPPINESS; FULFILMENT; and All Other BEAUTIFUL WONDERs of LIVIN' is 'WORTH' IT Also.

Wat A BATTLE for SO FEW MOMENTs of JOY.

My Eyes are Tearing Up Right Now. They Are. Really Are.

To APE is to Live.

ORANG ORANGE YAPe

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May we All have a METAMORPHOSIS. REASON. GOoD JUDGEMENT and LOVE and ORDER!!!!!

Wat A BATTLE for SO FEW MOMENTs of JOY.

Some mothers don't transition well from the carrying a "parasite" stage to the "nourishing and falling in love with the baby she's carrying" one. There can be all sorts of reasons for that - it's rarely the fault of the child... but to continue to allow them that kind of power over your future...? :(

My Eyes are Tearing Up Right Now. They Are. Really Are.

As I'm sure they have in your past too. Or is that "tearing" tearing? ;)

Ohio man raped 11-year-old who is now pregnant

Unfortunately, the most important line in this story was buried at the bottom instead of headlined in 72-point bold capitals:

Ohio’s new “heartbeat bill” means that the 11-year-old girl will be forced to carry the child to birth, regardless of the fact that she was raped.

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That's absolutely disgusting. :-O

This should not surprise, the people who pass that legislation are a key part of Trump's base.

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That's absolutely disgusting. :-O

Welcome to a religious theocracy. The UN should ban them planet wide.

Gary, it is a well known fact in the conservative religious community that women should walk 3 paces behind men and bow their heads.

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Oh, they're allowed out of the house there? :-O

Oh, they're allowed out of the house there? :-O

Who would buy the groceries?

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Capitalize on this good fortune, one word can bring you round ... changes.

Gary, it is a well known fact in the conservative religious community that women should walk 3 paces behind men and bow their heads.

But, in war zones the women walk 50 paces in front, to give the men warning of mines.

Gary, it is a well known fact in the conservative religious community that women should walk 3 paces behind men and bow their heads.

But, in war zones the women walk 50 paces in front, to give the men warning of mines.

Or snipers.

Gary, it is a well known fact in the conservative religious community that women should walk 3 paces behind men and bow their heads.

But, in war zones the women walk 50 paces in front, to give the men warning of mines.

Thought they also had to beat the ground with heavy chains on either side as well with each step.

How wonderful that 22 seemingly-cloned senators (all men... and here is an issue where gender is actually relevant) voted down the rape and incest exception, ensuring that Alabama's 11-year-old girls also will have the privilege of carrying their screamingly unwanted rape babies to an agonizing birthing of basically being torn open... rather like being raped a second time.

It isn't called "Talibama" for nothing. :^p

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This is not about the rights of zygotes but is simply a matter of control.

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It says enough about Gov. Kay Ivey who signed the controversial anti-abortion law (the woman that most women now hate with a passion for being a traitor to their gender).

Is Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey Married? Does She Have Children?

"To the bill’s many supporters, this legislation stands as a powerful testament to Alabamians’ deeply held belief that every life is precious and that every life is a sacred gift from God,” Ivey said in a statement.

The problem is that too often, too many older people in positions of authority see themselves as wiser than many beneath them. In doing so, they fail to see any far reaching consequences of their words & actions. The words above of Kay Ivey displays the fallacy of that so called wisdom.

"Every life is precious"? Where is the life of that 11 year old now?

It would be interesting to see her medical records. Was she infertile? Was hubby firing blanks? Did she use birth control?

"To the bill’s many supporters, this legislation stands as a powerful testament to Alabamians’ deeply held belief that every life is precious and that every life is a sacred gift from God,” Ivey said in a statement.

...

So, how is that reconciled with the continuing high number of gun deaths and the continued risk of death by The Gun?


Only in the USA?
Martin

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See new freedom: Mageia Linux
Take a look for yourself: Linux Format
The Future is what We all make IT (GPLv3)

I'm wondering how "every life is precious and that every life is a sacred gift from God" didn't apply to the life of the convicted murderer Talibama executed the very same day.

<<shrug>> Don't blame me... it's the governor who doesn't know the proper use of the word "every". :^p

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