https://www.huffpost.com/entry/wisconsin-state-rep-joel-kitchens-abortion-livestock_n_65b2e896e4b077c17ab49b22
Republican Fancies Himself An Abortion Expert Because He's A Veterinarian
Once again, an anti-abortion Republican lawmaker argued against access to the procedure by comparing pregnant women to breeding livestock.
While debating a potential 14-week abortion ban Thursday, Wisconsin state Rep. Joel Kitchens told his colleagues he knows that “abortion is not health care” because of his career as a veterinarian working with pets, cattle, horses and other farm animals.
“You know, in my veterinary career, I did thousands of ultrasounds on animals, you know, determining pregnancy and that kind of thing,” Kitchens said. “So I think I know mammalian fetal development better than probably anyone here. And in my mind, there’s absolutely no question that’s a life, and I think the science backs me up on that.”
No major scientific or medical group agrees with Kitchens’ claims about fetuses.
This isn’t the first time a lawmaker has compared pregnant women to livestock. A year ago, Idaho state Rep. Jack Nelsen was forced to apologize after he suggested his experience as a “lifelong dairy farmer” gave him some expertise on women’s reproductive health.
“I’ve milked a few cows, spent most of my time walking behind lines of cows, so if you want some ideas on repro and the women’s health thing, I have some definite opinions,” Nelsen joked during a meeting of the state’s House Agricultural Affairs Committee.
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