September 28, 2015 (LifeSiteNews) — Six pro-life leaders and a top medical researcher are pushing back on Bill Nye's claims that life does not begin at conception, and that natural death is equivalent to abortion.
“I'm flabbergasted that the mainstream media can take Bill Nye's naive comments so seriously,” said LifeSiteNews Editor-in-Chief John-Henry Westen. “He's suggested that because embryos die naturally we should not be concerned with abortion – the intentional killing of embryonic children in the womb.”
“So by that logic, because many young people die of natural causes in their teens, should we not be concerned with murderers who target teens?” asked Westen.
Stem-cell researcher Dr. David Prentice said that Nye's analysis is “a science-free justification for his own ideological view.”
“The science is long-established” that “a human life begins at fertilization,” said the Charlotte Lozier Institute Vice President, “even if some are ignorant of, or ignore, the biological facts.”
“Using Nye’s logic, none of us are ever alive, because humanity has a 100% mortality rate,” stated Prentice, who noted that “all leading scientific and medical textbooks” agree that “a human life begins at fertilization.”
The reaction from pro-life leaders came hours after Nye's statements were fact-checked by the think tank Just Facts. “…[T]he sciences of genetics and embryology have proven that the genetic composition of humans is formed during fertilization, and as the textbook Molecular Biology explains, this genetic material is 'the very basis of life itself,'” said the public policy institute, which also cited the medical textbook Before We Are Born: Essentials of Embryology and Birth Defects, which states that “The zygote and early embryo are living human organisms.”
“Scientific observation confirms that at the exact moment of sperm-egg fusion, a new human being exists,” said Arina Grossu, Director of the Center for Human Dignity at the Family Research Council. “This new and unique human being, at this stage a zygote, has DNA from both her mother and father with a molecular composition that is different from both.”
“Nye’s logic falls short when comparing miscarriages and abortions. One is an unfortunate natural occurrence, the other is a direct attack against human life. It looks like Bill Nye, the 'science'-guy, needs to brush up on his outdated science,” said Grossu.
“The days of liberal scientists obfuscating the facts of when human life begins are over,” said American Conservative Union Chairman Matt Schlapp. “We know too much and we have a window into the womb. It is settled that a unique and fully human life starts at fertilization.”
“Science has solved the question of when life begins, but a TV clicker should send a message of where left wing politics should stop,” Schlapp said.
Jeanne Mancini, President of the March for Life Education & Defense Fund, likewise dismissed Nye's claims. “Science squarely supports the truth that human life begins at fertilization. From the baby’s DNA presence at the moment of conception, to her little beating heart at 22 days, to his rapidly developing eyes, nose, mouth, and tongue by six weeks.”
“Additionally, advances in technology provide an ultrasound 'window' into the womb to visibly see and hear the beautiful little miracle of developing life.”
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Media Research Center Vice President of Business and Culture Dan Gainor leveled criticism at the media for uncritically reporting Nye's statements, as well as at Nye. “The media and left love to rely on Bill Nye, the 'Science Guy,' to make 'fact-based' points,” said. “What they don’t tell you is he got the name performing stand-up comedy, and many of his critiques are still a joke.”
“Nye’s view of abortion is amateurish, and reflects more of a disdain for the lives of babies than a scientific argument,” said Gainor. “According to Nye, we have 'more important things' to concern ourselves with than 1 million children butchered by the abortion industry each year.”
The Radiance Foundation's Ryan Bomberger, who was conceived from rape, called Nye's attacks “a bizarre screed” that “uses anything but science.”
“It is because the prolife movement is arguing for life with irrefutable science (and not religion) that we’re winning great legislative victories,” said Bomberger. “It’s because the prolife movement is diverse ethnically, generationally, and is mostly led by women (including those who are post-abortive) that we are winning hearts and minds.”