Christine Carrie Fien is correct that "historically some people have assumed that life begins quite a bit after conception," but scientific and technological advances, predominately ultrasound, have put the argument to rest ("George Bush Wants to Get You Pregnant," July 23). While there are some who find this inconvenient and counter to their goals (namely abortion providers, pro-choice advocates, and those promoting embryonic stem-cell research), women today want to make choices based on fact, not philosophical rhetoric.

Human life begins at conception. According to the scientifically accepted definition of life, a fertilized egg, from the moment of conception, meets all seven requirements for a living organism. And according to Dr. Fritz Baumgartner, "It is an embryological reality, which no embryology textbook on earth denies, life begins at the beginning, that moment of fertilization, when a new human being is being formed."

It is doubtful that George Bush wants to get me (or you) pregnant. He, and many others, concede that we should all abstain from sexual intercourse until we are fully prepared to accept ANY consequence that results from said intercourse, including heartache, tarnished reputation, broken marriages, sexually transmitted disease, and yes, pregnancy.

Whether or not one agrees with the wisdom of such prudence does not change the personhood of the embryo. Just because Planned Parenthood and other pro-choice advocates wish life to began later than conception, doesn't mean that it does. Abortion, whether from pill or procedure, kills a living human child and therefore should be unacceptable.

KELLY VINCENT BRUNACINI, RUSH