Whereas, The heartbeat of an unborn child is evidence that that child is alive. The medical community nearly universally agrees that a heartbeat is detectable at 5 to 6 weeks into a pregnancy, and the unborn child’s heart is formed during weeks 3 to 4. Cardiopulmonary death, the cessation of circulatory and respiratory functions, is one of the legal definitions of death under Michigan statute. Therefore, one can reasonably assume an unborn child with a heartbeat is alive; and
Whereas, Unborn children demonstrate brain activity that offers further evidence they are alive. The medical community nearly universally agrees that brain activity begins early in pregnancy. Neural development progresses rapidly, and electrical activity can be detectable in the brain by around 5 to 6 weeks into a pregnancy. An unborn child can move his or her developing arms and legs by week 6. By weeks 8 to 10, the unborn child can suck his or her thumb and move his or her head around, and he or she generally becomes right- or left-handed by this point. All of these motor activities are indications of neural activity. The second legal definition of death in Michigan is brain death, the cessation of detectable brain activity. Therefore, one can reasonably assume an unborn child with brain activity is alive; and
Whereas, An unborn child is clearly a living human being. Therefore, one can reasonably assume that any effort to eliminate this individual human life is no different than homicide; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we recognize an individual unborn child as a distinct human life and that any effort to eliminate this life is akin to homicide; and be it further
Resolved, That we condemn the practice of abortion and condemn any deliberate intent to procure an abortion as murderous.
Co-sponsored by Reps.
Referred to the Committee on Government Operations
