Purdue professor says displaying images of aborted fetuses constitute 'child pornography'

A professor at Purdue University has argued that showing images of aborted babies constitutes child pornography since pro-lifers believe that unborn fetuses are human beings.

During a debate about abortion rights, David Sanders, an associate professor of Biology at Purdue, accused his pro-life opponent, Seth Drayer, of participating in child pornography activities for showing images of aborted fetuses, Campus Reform reported.

Sanders pointed out that Drayer belongs to the pro-life group Created Equal, which frequently shows images of fetuses.

"What would you call the public display of a butt naked body of a child?" Sanders asked. "I would call it child pornography. Do they have their permission? Do they have the permission of the fetus? Obviously not," he went on to say.

The professor also questioned whether Created Equal obtains "the permission of the parents to show these images of children," which prompted a member of the audience to point out that he basically admitted that the fetus is a child.

"I didn't admit it. I'm using his language. He thinks it's a child. I do not," he replied.

In response to Sanders' remarks, Drayer contended that federal courts have long considered the display of dismembered fetuses in public as "protected political speech."

"Federal law defines child pornography as 'any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor.' By all accounts, images of abortion victims do not even come close to meeting that definition," Drayer explained.

Sanders disputed his opponent's interpretation of the relevant statutes and said that he "has misrepresented federal law."

In another part of the debate, Sanders argued that the Bible does not condemn abortion, and asserted that the high number of miscarriages would make "God the greatest abortionist."

The debate, which took place on April 24, was hosted by Boilermakers for Life student organization. The full debate was recorded and posted on YouTube by Created Equal.

The professor claimed that the video violated the terms of the debate, saying he had "explicitly demanded" that the recording should not be made. He also accused the organizers of the event of lying about the issue of recording the debate.

Created Equal contended that Sanders did not object to the recording of the debate until he arrived a minute late for the event. The group also noted that it was not involved in the negotiation of terms for the debate with the professor.