Inspired by anti-abortion group, Iowa bill would require schools to show pregnancy video

Iowa's human growth and development classes would be required to show students a computer-generated video detailing the stages of pregnancy, similar to a video developed by an anti-abortion group, under a bill that advanced in the Iowa Legislature Tuesday.

The bill cites the "Meet Baby Olivia" video, created by the anti-abortion group Live Action, as an example of a video that would meet its criteria. The video propagates information about pregnancy that medical professionals say is wrong.

House File 2031, sponsored by 11 Republican representatives, would require such a video to be shown in health classes from first grade through high school.

The bill advanced through a subcommittee Tuesday morning with two Republicans voting in favor and one Democrat opposed.

The bill says students would be shown "a high quality, computer-generated rendering or animation, comparable to the Meet Baby Olivia video developed by Live Action, showing the process of fertilization and every stage of human development inside the uterus, noting significant markers in cell growth and organ development for every significant marker of pregnancy until birth."

Human growth and development classes would also be required to teach about human biology related to pregnancy, human development inside the womb and a high-definition ultrasound video of at least three minutes.

The bill in Iowa is similar to a law enacted last year in North Dakota. Similar bills were filed this month in West Virginia and Kentucky.

Iowa lawmakers passed a bill last year that would ban nearly all abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. The bill is currently blocked by the courts while a lawsuit is decided.

More: Most abortions now banned in Iowa after Gov. Kim Reynolds signs 'fetal heartbeat' law

Live Action's website describes the organization as "leading pro-life advocates."

"Through compelling educational media, human interest storytelling and investigative reporting, Live Action reveals the humanity of the preborn and exposes the abortion industry exploitation of women and families for profit," the organization's website says.

Several people spoke against the bill at a House subcommittee Tuesday morning, describing the video as inaccurate.

The computer-generated "Meet Baby Olivia" video shows sperm swimming to an egg as the video's narrator says, "this is the moment that life begins. A new human being has come into existence."

Not all fertilized eggs successfully implant in the uterus to result in a successful pregnancy.

The video's narrator also says, "at three weeks and one day, just 22 days after fertilization, Olivia's heartbeat can be detected."

Doctors say in most cases cardiac activity cannot be detected in an embryo until about six weeks gestation, and it is inaccurate to call the electrical impulses generated by the embryo's cells a heartbeat at that stage of the pregnancy because the embryo does not yet have a heart.

More: Four anti-abortion centers picked to receive state funding under MOMS program

Mazie Stilwell, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa, called the "Meet Baby Olivia" video "anti-abortion propaganda."

"Frankly, as a parent of a kindergartener, the idea of showing this propaganda video next year really boggles my mind," she said.

Connie Ryan, the executive director of Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, said the bill mandates "misinformation and religious ideology" in schools.

"House File 2031 is nothing but a political and religious agenda — forced indoctrination of Iowa’s children and youth," she said. "You have every right to your religious beliefs and to teach your children whatever you like. You do not have the right to force your religious ideology onto all Iowa children and families, taking away choice for all other parents in Iowa."

Several people representing anti-abortion groups also spoke in support of the bill at Tuesday's subcommittee meeting.

Ryan Benn, a lobbyist with The Family Leader, a conservative Christian group, said he doesn't believe the video makes any religious claims.

"The humanity of an unborn child isn’t based on any sort of religion. It’s just a scientific fact," he said. "Life begins at conception. The baby inside a mother’s womb, she’s a baby. And it would be really good if our kids from a young age would learn that."

Amber Williams, a leader of the conservative Moms for Liberty group, said she wishes the curriculum would have been shown to her when she was in school.

"Had I been shown the video 'Meet Baby Olivia,’ which actually follows the science of the incredible journey of life, beginning at conception, I would have chosen life," she said.

Stephen Gruber-Miller covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com or by phone at 515-284-8169. Follow him on Twitter at @sgrubermiller.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa bill would require schools to show anti-abortion pregnancy video