New Technology Boosts Pro-life Efforts 

By Steve Jordahl, May 31, 2002 Family News in Focus

New multidimensional ultrasound technology is bringing the abortion debate into focus.

A new television ad airing during such popular shows as NBC's "Friends" hails the advent of a new General Electric product that provides an even clearer view into the womb.

"When you see your baby for the first time on the new GE 4D Ultrasound system, it really is a miracle," the ad says. It shows a married, expectant couple gazing at a screen revealing a detailed, moving image of the child in utero.

The GE Web site describes the technology this way: "4D Ultrasound takes three-dimensional ultrasound images and adds the element of time to the process. The result: Live action images of your unborn child."

But GE's product isn't the only one getting parents closer to their preborn children. Novint Technologies, Inc., based in Albuquerque, N.M., has developed a product called e-Touch that interacts with the GE product to create the sensation of touch. According to a May 7 press release, this allows expectant parents "to feel a vast array of textures including the feel of the baby's face and skin."

Tom Anderson, CEO of Novint, witnessed the miracle of his new technology first-hand with his own son.

"As a parent, that was just such an amazing experience," Anderson said. "He is still not born, he's due in July, but I've touched his nose and I've touched his cheeks and I know what he looks like."

Ironically, Anderson described himself as "pro-choice."

But parents aren't the only ones who are excited about the new technology. Laura Echevarria, with the National Right to Life Committee, said this is a boost for the pro-life movement.

"We are seeing that as technology rapidly advances, that it will become undeniable that the unborn child is human and deserves protection just like everyone else," Echevarria said.

She cited recent polls that show the American public split 50-50 on the abortion issue, with the pro-life viewpoint gaining acceptance. She added that she'll take all the free advertising she can get.

"Certainly, having a four-dimensional sonogram commercial air during "Friends" ... there's no way we could have been able to pay for that kind of ad," Echevarria said. And that, she said, is a miracle as well.