Back in the Victorian era, babies born before their time — even by as little as a few weeks — had a greatly reduced chance of surviving due to respiratory distress, hypothermia, inability to feed, or infection. Doctors of the time lacked the knowledge and technology to save them, and infant mortality at all gestational ages was sadly common.
Fast forward to today, and babies born early are routinely saved at lower and lower gestational ages. Over the past several decades, advances in medical science and neonatal care have pushed the boundaries of fetal viability — the point at which a preborn baby can survive outside the womb. This evolving frontier has implications not only for medicine but also for the way society views and values preborn human beings. For pro-life OBs like Dr. William Lile, the ProLife Doc, medical science around viability provides a way to talk about and support the sanctity of life both inside and outside the womb.
Understanding Viability: A Medical Perspective
Fetal viability is traditionally defined as the ability of a preborn baby to survive outside the mother’s womb, whether with or without medical support. For much of modern history, viability was considered to be around 28 weeks of gestation. However, with the advent of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), advanced respiratory technology, and innovations in prenatal care, this threshold has shifted to as early as 22–23 weeks in some cases. Babies born at these early stages, often weighing less than a pound, now have a fighting chance at life due to the remarkable strides in medical science.
Despite these advances, viability is not a fixed marker. It varies depending on factors like access to healthcare, medical expertise, and the baby’s overall health. However, what remains constant is the sacred value of every human life from the moment of conception until the last heartbeat.
Viability and Abortion Law
The shifting limits of viability have directly influenced legal and ethical debates surrounding abortion. In the United States, the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision tied the legality of abortion to viability, stating that states could restrict abortion after viability unless the mother’s life or health were at risk. As medical science has pushed the viability threshold lower, this has given pro-life advocates new grounds to argue for the protection of preborn life.
However, it’s important to note that viability is a marker of medical capability, not personhood. A preborn baby is a human being from the moment of conception, regardless of whether they can survive outside the womb. Abortion always ends a human life, whether at six weeks or 26 weeks. While viability may serve as a philosophical tool to advocate for fewer abortions, the pro-life movement’s ultimate goal is to affirm and protect life at every stage, based on the fundamental principle that every human being is valuable as a one-of-a-kind image-bearer of God.
The Personhood of Preborn Babies
From a scientific and medical perspective, life begins at conception. At this moment, a new human being with a unique DNA sequence is formed. By the time most mothers confirm their pregnancy, their baby’s heart is already beating, and their nervous system is rapidly developing.
Viability, while significant in medical and legal discussions, does not determine the humanity of the preborn. A premature baby in a NICU and a full-term baby in its mother’s arms are equally human. The ability to survive outside the womb, while awe-inspiring, is just one chapter in the incredible story of human life.
How Advances in Viability Strengthen the Pro-Life Argument
The earlier limits of viability give pro-life advocates compelling evidence to challenge the outdated idea that life in the womb is merely a “potential life.” Every NICU success story is a testament to the resilience and dignity of preborn babies. These advances also expose the inconsistency of laws that allow for late-term abortions while preborn babies of the same gestational age are being saved in hospitals.
Furthermore, stories of “micro-preemies” surviving and thriving after being born at 22 or 23 weeks inspire hope and compassion. These tiny warriors remind us that every human life is worth fighting for, no matter how small or vulnerable.
Standing for Life
As medical science continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, we must recognize that the inherent value of life does not depend on viability. The pro-life movement is about celebrating and protecting the miracle of life at every stage. But science does give us a place to start educating, advocating, and discussing the issue with our world.
If you’re passionate about defending preborn life, we invite you to explore the resources available on ProLife Doc’s website. From scientific facts to heartfelt stories, you’ll find tools to equip yourself for this vital cause. For those looking to deepen their understanding, check out Dr. William Lile’s new curriculum, designed to educate and inspire individuals to stand boldly for life. Together, we can champion the truth that every life, born and preborn, is a precious gift.
