Unborn Babies May Be Able to Auto-Correct Abnormalities

Pregnant mothers often choose to take a chorionic villus sampling (CVS) test when they are 11 to 14 weeks pregnant. This test analyzes placental cells for genetic abnormalities to predict genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome. Well, research on mouse embryos suggests that even when normal cells and abnormal cells are mixed half and half in the placenta, the baby can still be born perfectly healthy. This happens because the abnormal cells are killed via programmed cell death, and healthy cells replace them. Although the baby mouse itself has replaced the abnormal cells, the placenta still retains them. If this research translates to humans, it means that unborn babies may have an “auto-correct” mechanism that often catches problems and fixes them!

This shows incredible design! Of course in a world before the Fall (Genesis 3), there would have been no worry about genetic defects in our perfect DNA. But in our post-Fall, cursed world we see that God has designed our bodies to fight the effects of the Curse. What a gracious Creator!

Sadly, after prenatal testing, many mothers and fathers who receive the news that their child will be born with a genetic disorder or disability choose to abort their baby. But regardless of the genetic abnormalities of the child, abortion is wrong—it’s murder! Most people will agree that it is wrong to kill a two-year-old because of a disability, but they do not apply the same value to an unborn, disabled child. Each and every person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and has intrinsic value and worth. God has a plan and a purpose for everyone’s life, and each person is created to bring Him glory (Isaiah 43:7; Jeremiah 1:5).

God has designed our incredible bodies. Sadly in our sin-cursed world, illness, disease, and genetic disorders often ravage our bodies. This is not part of God’s original design, but is the result of sin and the Curse. But even in the midst of this, God’s design shines through. And we can look forward to the day when disease, illness, and disability will be no more, and we will worship our Creator in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:4, 22:3).

You can learn more about God’s design for disabled children in “Did God Create Williams Syndrome?” by Stacia McKeever or in her talk Disabilities: Finding Hope in God’s Goodness and Truth from the 2015 Answers for Women conference.

I want to stop here and thank the Lord for all the mothers who work so hard to raise their children to love the Lord. Mothers are a vital part of equipping the next generation to stand firmly on God’s Word, and we here at Answers in Genesis appreciate all that they do. That’s why we’re offering all mums (that’s the Australian word for moms!) free admission to the Creation Museum today. Happy Mothers Day!

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.