South Carolina lawmakers considering bill that would recognize personhood of the unborn

South Carolina lawmakers are currently considering a legislation that would recognize the personhood of unborn children starting at fertilization.

The Personhood Act of South Carolina or S.217 was introduced by Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant while he was still a state senator. He testified briefly in favor of the bill during the state Senate subcommittee hearing last week.

"This legislation directly underscores and recognizes those unalienable rights endowed by the Creator: the right to life, the right to liberty, and the right to the pursuit of happiness for the baby girl and the baby boy that have yet to be born," Bryant told the subcommittee.

One of those who testified against the bill was Katie Sacra, a mother who told the Senate panel about her trials and troubles raising a child with a painful, lethal disorder.

"I promise you, no matter how hard you try to imagine, you cannot begin to understand the magnitude of suffering this has caused in our lives," she said, as reported by WISTV.

She narrated that she had to terminate her pregnancy more than once because of the disorder, and she maintained that she was grateful that she was able to make the decision.

Bryant's bill states that all life begins at conception, and it would outlaw all abortions, with no exceptions for cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother, according to WSPA.

"Stating that human life begins at fertilization is really not consistent with scientific fact. Both sperm and egg are alive prior to fertilization. Although there is DNA added, no real new life is created," Dr. Michael Slowey of Coastal Fertility Specialists in Mt. Pleasant told the senators.

Planned Parenthood representatives argued that the bill would pose health risks for women suffering from life-threatening pregnancies.

Vicki Ringer of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic criticized the legislation for the lack of exceptions and noted that it would also ban the destruction of embryos from infertility treatments.

Supporters of the bill believe that there should be a voice for the unborn who do not have one and that they deserve the same due process as adults.

The hearing was packed to standing room only, and many residents signed up to speak for and against the bill, but there was not enough time to hear them all. Another hearing has been scheduled before a vote takes place.