Mexican Top Court Considers Abortion

A range of scientists and other specialists testified that the embryo, from the moment of conception, is already an individual human being, distinct from the mother.

MEXICO CITY (Zenit) - A law permitting abortion in the capital city of Mexico is being considered before the nation's top court.

Testimonies began April 11 in an attempt to prove that the abortion law, which went into effect April 25, 2007, is not constitutional.

The law permits abortions only in the capital and up through the 12th week of pregnancy. The court hearings are expected to continue for several months.

A range of scientists and other specialists testified that the embryo, from the moment of conception, is already an individual human being, distinct from the mother.

Susana Andrade, of the pro-life organization Incluyendo Mexico, told ZENIT that specialists in bioethics, philosophy, genetics, law and human rights affirmed to the judges that there is human life, even before 12 weeks of gestation, and that it falls to the high court to protect this group of individuals, as mandated by the Constitution.

Doctor Jorge Traslosheros Hernández testified before the court, proposing that the judged faced a grave dilemma: "If you decide in favor of indiscriminate abortion, you will be placing yourselves on the side of those who throughout history have held back the rights of Indians, women, black people, Jews, and now too, the embryo."