Recently a troubling “study” was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The so-called study claims that 64,565 rape pregnancies have happened since Roe v Wade was overturned, specifically in states with laws that protect the unborn. The research appears to be a not-so-subtle shot at these pro-life states, as if to blame them for the rape.
Unsurprisingly, the study is ripe with flaws and is more closely related to a pro-abortion opinion piece than a peer reviewed journal article.
The methodology used to arrive at the 64,000+ rape pregnancies is deeply flawed and yields a greatly over exaggerated result. They claim that there have been 519,981 rapes in the time since Dobbs overturned Roe. This number is more than ten times higher than the number reported by the FBI. The researchers also allege that 12.5% of rapes result in pregnancy, a number that is dramatically higher than previous research. In 1996 a survey of over 4,000 women estimates the number is closer to 5%.
To make matters worse the researchers themselves are far from unbiased. The lead author is Samuel Dickman who happens to be the medical director of Planned Parenthood of Montana. Trusting this study would be like trusting the studies that cigarette companies paid for which claimed smoking cigarettes is good for you. It is shocking that such a study was published in a once respected journal.
Regardless of how flawed and misleading this “research” is, perhaps more shameful is the way it is being presented. Singling out pro-life states in this manner appears to be an attempt to blame pro-life laws for instances of rape. If that is indeed the intent of those who have shared the article, it is yellow journalism at its worst. The only person who is responsible for rape is the rapist. Not the victim, not the baby, and not those who aim to protect both mother and child.
When Mark Roepke’s mother was just 14 years old she was raped at a July 4th party. His mother bravely kept the child, choosing to place him for adoption into a loving Christian home. Years later, Mark is a strong defender of life. Mark’s famous quote is, “The circumstances of my conception do not determine my worth as a human being.”
No matter the number babies conceived in rape, their lives are still precious and valuable. The circumstances in which we come into this world do not determine our worth, and they do not disqualify us from having basic human rights – foremost of which is the right to life. These children should not be sentenced to death for the crime of their father.
Defending life,
Bradley Mattes,
President, Life Issues Institute
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